1999 F1 Review
Hakkinen, Irvine and Frentzen Battled for Formula 1 Title
The Hungarian Grand Prix was the 11th round of the 1999 Formula 1 World Championship. McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen and Ferrari’s Eddie Irvine were locked in a tense battle for the title.
McLaren 1-2 at the Hungaroring
The McLaren team enjoyed a perfect weekend in Hungary. Hakkinen qualified on pole position, with Irvine second. Coulthard started from third, followed by Giancarlo Fisichella, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Damon Hill.
Coulthard made a dreadful start and slipped down to fifth position, while Hakkinen led the race from Irvine. Coulthard managed to get past Frentzen and Fisichella at the pit stops. Rubens Barrichello was next in line for the Scotsman, but that problem disappeared when the Brazilian pitted.
Once clear of the traffic Coulthard closed on second placed Irvine. He pressured the Irishman into a mistake and slipped through to take the position. Frentzen continued his fine run of results with a fourth place finish. Barrichello was fifth across the line and Hill sixth.
Coulthard Wins Belgian Grand Prix but Angers Hakkinen
BAR drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta both walked away from spectacular accidents at Spa’s fearsome Eau Rouge corner in the days before the Belgian Grand Prix. Villeneuve seemed strangely pleased with himself, as illustrated by a quote from the 2002 book, “Formula 1, The Autobiography”, edited by Gerald Donaldson and published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson;
“Pretty much the same as last year – I tried to take Eau Rouge flat, and it didn’t work. I think the impact was smaller this time. But I rolled, so that was a bonus. But maybe Ricardo’s accident was more impressive to look at…”
At the start of the race pole-sitter Hakkinen was challenged by his team-mate Coulthard at the first corner, resulting in a collision. Both drivers were able to continue, but Hakkinen was far from happy. He settled for second place behind Coulthard, with Frentzen third in his Jordan and Irvine fourth in his Ferrari. Ralf Schumacher finished in fifth, ahead of his team-mate Hill.
Hakkinen Crashes at Monza and Frentzen Wins
Hakkinen was again on pole for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Frentzen was second fastest, in front of Coulthard’s McLaren. Alex Zanardi’s miserable season with Williams improved as he qualified fourth for his home race.
Zanardi made a lightning start, ending up in second place behind Hakkinen. The Finn seemed to have the race under control, only to make an unforced error at the first chicane and spin into retirement. A TV helicopter captured images of him crying in some bushes, while being goaded by the delighted tifosi.
With Zanardi losing several places due to undertray damage Frentzen found himself in the lead. He went on to win his second Grand Prix of the season, keeping him in World Championship contention. Ralf Schumacher was second for Williams, with Mika Salo completing the podium in third. Rubens Barrichello was fourth for Stewart, but Coulthard could only finish fifth after struggling with an ill-handling McLaren. Irvine failed to capitalise on Hakkinen’s misfortune, finishing sixth in his Ferrari.
Alex Zanardi, 1999 Williams FW21
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