Ferrari win masterful race (Hungarian Grand Prix)
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Sunday August 16, 1998

Summary


Michael Schumacher won today one of the most masterful victories of his career, in what seemed like the German's classic combination of perfect strategy, consistent racing and that extra bit of luck. Behind him in second finished the McLaren of David Coulthard, followed by Jacqes Villeneuve, Damon Hill and Heinz Harald Frentzen. World Championship leader, Mika Hakkinen, finished sixth.

At the beginning of the race, though, Schumacher's day ahead was not promising. The McLaren duo on the front row had a perfect start and Schumacher, retaining third position, could do nothing about David Coulthard, who lapped slower than Hakkinen and seemed to play a "buffer" role for McLaren Mercedes and Mika Hakkinen. Behind him. Ferrari had an even worse omen, as team-mate Eddie Irvine, after a superb start to fourth, retired with gearbox failure after just 13 laps.

Schumacher had an early first stop, but to much of his frustration, came out fourth behind Jacques Villeneuve. After the Canadian had his stop, Schumacher was still stymied in 3rd place behind Coulthard. A passing attempt, on lap 30, was to no avail either.

Schumacher, Coulthard and Villeneuve on podium But, on lap 44, in what seemed a confusing move at the time, Schumacher had a second pit stop. Moreover, Coulthard stopped as well, possibly mirroring Schumacher under McLaren orders. But in the single lap between the two drivers' stop, Schumacher already managed to submit an outstanding lap time, promoting him to second place when Coulthard returned to the track.

By the time Mika Hakkinen was in to take his second scheduled pitstop, Michael Schumacher was in the lead, setting one fastest lap after the other. Luck be the lady of Schumacher, his Championship rival behind him started developing gear problems, apparently losing his top gear, thus being unable to find speed. Team-mate Coulthard was sent to chase after the Schumacher, but the German was speedily extending his gap, ahead enough to even slide through the grass at one point, but recover as though nothing happened.

All speculations whether Schumacher has enough fuel on board or not, came to end when 15 laps to the end, Schumacher came in for a quick splash and dash. However, the Schumacher trademark of setting fastest laps just when he most needs them paid off again, and as he came out of the pits from his third and final stop, Coulthard was way behind him.

In the back, Hakkinen was struggling as one driver passed him after the other. Eventually, he finished 6th, lapped by Schumacher on the final lap of the race, which saw Schumacher close down the gap in the World Championship table to 7 points, with four races left.

"I thought we would be competitive today but I never dreamed I would leave Hungary having closed the championship gap from 16 to just 7 points," stated Schumacher. "This was one of my most emotional wins, thanks to the reaction of all the Ferrari fans after the race. All the hard work we did during last week's six day Fiorano test, really paid off today. Once again the team picked the right strategy, although at first I was not quite sure if our plan would work out, as I was stuck behind Jacques and David for some time. In the end, it turned out that the team had made the right decision. Of course we benefited from the problems of our competitors, although throughout the race I could easily match the pace of the McLarens. With four races to go, the championship seems to be wide open. When I went off the track I did not realise I was already in the lead. Ross told me I had 19 laps to make up a 25 second lead to stay in front after my third pit stop, so I pushed as hard as possible. Now I am looking forward to celebrating with my family at home."

After the race, Jean Todt expressed, "Obviously a really great race. I am sorry for Eddie, who was having a fantastic race and could have got onto the podium but for the gearbox problem which caused his retirement. We had planned a two stop strategy, but after the first one we decided to switch to three. The teamwork was perfect and the tyres were also excellent."

A lengthy race report will follow on Atlas F1 this Wednesday.

Timing


HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX                                               
World Championship of Drivers, Round 12                                     
Hungaroring, Budapest, August 16th, 1998                                    
77 laps, 305.844 kms.                                                       
                                                                            
1.  M. Schumacher    Ferrari F300                1h 45:25.550    174.062 kph
2.  D. Coulthard     McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13,    1h 45:34.983               
3.  J. Villeneuve    Williams-Mecachrome FW20    1h 46:09.994               
4.  D. Hill          Jordan-Mugen-Honda 198      1h 46:20.626               
5.  H.H. Frentzen    Williams-Mecachrome FW20    1h 46:22.060               
6.  M. Hakkinen      McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13     76 laps                    
7.  J. Alesi         Sauber-Petronas C17         76 laps                    
8.  G. Fisichella    Benetton-Mecachrome B198    76 laps                    
9.  R. Schumacher    Jordan-Mugen-Honda 198      76 laps                    
10. J. Herbert       Sauber-Petronas C17         76 laps                    
11. P. Diniz         Arrows A19                  74 laps                    
12. O. Panis         Prost-Peugeot AP01          74 laps                    
13. J. Verstappen    Stewart-Ford SF2            74 laps                    
14. T. Takagi        Tyrrell-Ford 026            74 laps                    
15. S. Nakano        Minardi-Ford M198           74 laps                    
16. A. Wurz          Benetton-Mecachrome B198    69 laps DNF                
                                                                            
Fastest Lap: M. Schumacher     Lap 60                1:19.286    180.349 kph
                                                                            
Retirements:                                                                
                                                                            
    E. Tuero         Minardi-Ford M198           gearbox         Lap 13     
    E. Irvine        Ferrari F300                gearbox         Lap 13     
    M. Salo          Arrows A19                  hydraulics      Lap 18     
    J. Trulli        Prost-Peugeot AP01          electrical      Lap 28     
    R. Barrichello   Stewart-Ford SF2            gearbox         Lap 54     
    A. Wurz          Benetton-Mecachrome B198    gearbox         Lap 69     
                                                                            
Lap Leaders:                                                                
                                                                            
Lap 1-46, Hakkinen; Lap 47-77, Schumacher.                                  
                                                                            
Temps:                                                                      
                                                                            
Air 26 C, Track 40 C                                                        
                                                                            
                                                       

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