Michael Schumacher travelled to the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1 Ring having won the previous three races. The German was becoming a very real threat to McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen in the battle for the Formula 1 World Championship.
Schumacher’s Charge Halted in Austrian Grand Prix
Rain during qualifying at the A1 Ring turned the session into something of a lottery and produced an unusual front row. Giancarlo was fastest in his Benetton, with Sauber’s Jean Alesi second. The second row was shared by the title protagonists, Hakkinen ahead of Michael Schumacher. Rubens Barrichello impressed in the Stewart, qualifying fifth, and Mika Salo was delighted to be sixth in his Arrows.
Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher both passed the front row starters off the line, with the Finn leading. Pedro Diniz collided with his Arrows team-mate Salo. David Coulthard was another victim of the incident, damaging his front wing and having to pit for a new one. The safety car was sent out to slow the field while the mess was cleared up.
Once the race got underway again Hakkinen started to pull away from Schumacher, and the German made a crucial mistake. He ran off the circuit and broke his front wing, resulting in a costly pit stop for repairs. Fisichella and Alesi had their races ended when they contrive to collide with each other, which promoted Coulthard to third position as the Scotsman continued a stirring comeback drive. When Eddie Irvine dived into the pits Coulthard moved up into second place.
Hakkinen won the Austrian Grand Prix from Coulthard, while Michael Schumacher recovered to finish third. Irvine was fourth, followed by Ralf Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve. The defending World Champion announced during the weekend that he would be leaving Williams at the end of the season, after a disastrous title defence. In 1999 he would be driving for a new team set up by his manager Craig Pollock.
McLaren 1-2 in German Grand Prix
It was back to the usual story in qualifying at Hockenheim, with Hakkinen on pole and Coulthard second for McLaren. Villeneuve’s Williams showed improved pace and he qualified third, with Ralf Schumacher’s Jordan fourth. Michael Schumacher was a disastrous ninth in his Ferrari.
The Grand Prix was dominated by McLaren, with Hakkinen winning the race from Coulthard. After dropping back early on Villeneuve was able to regain third position and kept it until the finish. Damon Hill was fourth for Jordan, one place ahead of Michael Schumacher. Ralf Schumacher was sixth in the other Jordan. The result put a major dent in Michael Schumacher’s title hopes.
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