The leaders piled through without any problem but behind was carnage as Jarno Trulli lost control under braking and ploughed straight on, collecting Barrichello and then an unlucky Alesi. The remainder of the cars behind struggled through. Wurz had to pit in and retire, and Barrichello managed to make it around to the pits for repairs. The safety car was despatched while the wreckage was cleared off the track. This lasted until the end of lap two.

Almost immediately Zonta crashed his BAR into the wall coming out onto the final straight after the chicane. This same corner was to claim three more drivers! Unfortunately, the BAR was not far enough off the racing line, so the safety car was called out again as Zonta's stricken car was moved - this lasted until the end of lap seven! As soon as the safety car pulled off the track Michael blasted into the lead with the intention of building up a cushion between himself and Hakkinen. It was not to be. The McLaren performed faultlessly and while Mika was not able to catch Michael, he did not fall behind either. Michael slowed gaining on traffic and Hakkinen slowly reeled the German in. An exciting battle looked imminent. However, Schumacher got on the power too early coming out of the final turn. He tried to control the slide, but the fine dust on that corner, and of course the grooved tyres, made it impossible. The Ferrari smashed into the wall. A few laps earlier Damon Hill made the same mistake and retired also. Both drivers were furious with themselves.

Hakkinen took the lead, with Irvine and Coulthard behind him. Fisichella was fourth, driving well, with Frentzen's Jordan and the Williams of Ralf Schumacher in sixth. However, Ralf went off at the chicane on lap 33 and Diniz inherited his position. Two laps later the final corner claimed its next victim - Villeneuve. Jacques is always very enthusiastic about racing here in his home GP, and was just a little too eager to please as he smashed his BAR into the wall, and limped back to the pits. Out came the safety car..

Most drivers pitted at this stage. Both Coulthard and Zanardi however ignored a pit-lane red light and later received a 10-second stop-and-go penalty. The race restarted at the end of lap 40 and Coulthard challenged Irvine in second place. At the first chicane Coulthard pulled off a daring late braking move causing Irvine to brake heavily. Eddie returned the favour exiting the corner but Coulthard didn't brake and they collided. The whole field streamed past but they were both able to rejoin. Coulthard had to pit due to damage however. Irvine then began a stunning charge through the field.

Elsewhere in the race Fisichella and Frentzen were battling but being held up by Luca Badoer and Olivier Panis. The backmarkers were so engrossed in their own battle that they failed to move over and were consequently given a 10 second penalty each. In the chaos Frentzen managed to squeeze past Fisichella and soon built up a small lead over the Benetton.

Irvine, however, was the man to watch. He was obviously enjoying driving a very fine Ferrari as he flew past Zanardi and Diniz with ease. His next problem was Herbert's Stewart. Johnny had not finished a race yet this year and was not going to relinquish his 5th place too easily! The battle raged but it was obvious that the Ferrari was much quicker - even in the corners! Irvine had to pull off something special to get past, and he did. At the final chicane he outbraked Herbert and almost himself as both cars took to the grass. Johnny was furious, but Eddie was through and soon left the Stewart behind.

Irvine next hunted down Ralf Schumacher - driving steadily in 4th place and slip-streamed the Williams to overtake on the final straight. It was uneventful as the Ferrari had quite a bit more power to use. Irvine's next challenge would be the Benetton of Fisichella, which was by now gaining on Frentzen's Jordan. Irvine set a string of fastest laps - proving that the Ferrari is now a match for the McLarens, even on a quick circuit.

On lap 66 (of 69) one of Frentzen's rear brake discs failed and he was sent into a crash barrier at speed. This allowed Fisichella to claim second place, but it must have been an anti-climax as the safety car came out again and remained in front all the way to the chequered flag. Hakkinen crossed the line first - jubilant. Fisichella was as happy with second place and Irvine knew he had driven a fantastic race. Ferrari still lead the championship, but Hakkinen is now marginally ahead in the drivers championship. I can't wait for next week's French GP!

Remember, now that The Car Enthusiast is released on Saturday we will have the qualifying results for the French GP online next Saturday (26 June) before the race.