1999 GERMAN GRAND PRIX

Eddie Jordan couldn't help but grin as he was interviewed post-qualifying today. Heinz-Harald Frentzen made it to the top of the grid. It didn't rain, the other drivers didn't have bad luck. Heinz drove like a master to nip into second, only 0.05seconds behind the established qualifying guru, Mika Hakkinen. Frentzen's fastest lap didn't even look fast! Jordan was pleased to say that the increase in performance came not only from a new version of the Honda F1 engine, but also Frentzen's desire to win in front of his home crowd.

David Coulthard appeared to be the equal of his team-mate at the start of qualifying, but his race car suffered an engine problem. He didn't quite get to grips with the spare car, but still managed 3rd place on the grid. Alongside him on the second row, surprisingly sits Mika Salo, in Michael Schumacher's Ferrari. Salo drove a fast (and ragged) lap to beat his outspoken team-mate by 0.2 seconds. To be fair to Eddie Irvine, he was quicker in most parts of the track, but failed to pull it all together. On his last flying lap he was severely hampered by traffic. His championship chances are not dead yet though. Ferrari's race reliability is well respected, and Ross Brawn's tactics should be as interesting as ever!

Damon Hill appeared to be more determined than ever to me. He really threw the Jordan around the super-fast Hockenheim circuit. His 8th place on the grid is not really representative of his true performance. If he manages to pass the Prost of Olivier Panis at the start then there is certainly a chance of points from both Jordans.

Panis, however, may not be so easy to get by. Both Prosts were on the pace in practice and qualifying, amid rumours that Peugeot are pulling out of F1 next year. Trulli qualified in 9th even though two cars broke down during qualifying for him. They will certainly be worth watching tomorrow!

S.O'

The Prosts did perform, as predicted, but not quite to race-winning levels. Unfortunately, the talented Jarno Trulli did not make it to the finish, but his team mate did manage to pick up the last point of the day for the French team. Ahead of him was David Coulthard. How? Read on.

The start went normally enough. Hakkinen made a blistering getaway, as did the two Ferraris. Frentzen was noticeably slower off the line and was quickly put behind both McLarens and the fast-starting Mika Salo. Irvine had to be content with his 5th place as he was boxed in by Coulthard and Barrichello. All looked well as the field ploughed into the first corner. Suddenly Villeneuve spun, collecting Pedro Diniz in his Sauber, taking them both off and into the barriers (see picture on right). It appears that Villeneuve was touched lightly from behind by Marc Gene's Minardi as the BAR was braking hard.

Luckily nobody was injured and the cars were out of serious danger so the safety car was not required. Mika Hakkinen raced into the lead with a five second gap between him and fellow-countryman Salo by lap 10. Salo came under increasing pressure from Coulthard behind, but he held his nerve. His maturity and confidence were more akin to a driver that was used to mixing it with the McLarens at the front of the field. David became desperate to get past as he watched his championship hopes disappear into the distance. His frustration was to be his downfall however. At the very slow Ostkurve chicane Coulthard tried to make a move on Salo, but misjudged it (sounds familiar David) and ended up clipping the Ferrari and losing a section of his front wing.

Losing too much downforce on this already low-downforce track, Coulthard had no choice but to come in to the pits - much earlier than was planned. He rejoined in 10th place with a lot of ground to make up if he was to score points. Frentzen inherited third place, but did not appear to be as quick as was promised form the qualifying session. He was, of course, carrying a heavy fuel load. Unfortunately, this strategy did not help his race position. Irvine charged hard behind the German and the two provided lap after lap of exciting racing as Irvine struggled to find a suitable overtaking position.

There was a long gap back to Ralf Schumacher in 5th place - driving steadily as ever. Behind him was a procession of cars: Wurz, Hill, Herbert, Panis and Trulli. Jarno, who was so quick in qualifying soon retired with mechanical problems. Hill went off the track twice before coming into the pits with "handling problems". He was told to stay out but did not feel safe in the car. Damon switched off the engine as the pit-crew struggled to help him. Eddie Jordan looked on - not a happy man.

Meanwhile Coulthard tried to make his way up the field, now with a heavy car full of fuel, but on fresh tyres. Unfortunately, his luck was not to get better. Frustrated at being stuck behind the Prost of Panis, he took to the kerbs in a big way to get past. It was deemed an illegal move and he was slapped with a 10 second stop-go penalty for his trouble. Things were not to get much better for the Scot. He came out 6th after the penalty, but had to re-pit in the closing stages for new tyres, which left him in only 5th place at the finish.

At least David got the cross the finish line in his McLaren. Mika's nightmare began as the pit-crew struggled with the fuel hose on his one and only stop. He came out behind Frentzen. The Jordan did not handle as well as the McLaren though and Hakkinen passed Heinz-Harald well. This is where his charge ended though. Poor ol' Mika Hakkinen got a serious fright as his left rear tyre de-laminated at about 180mph, sending the Finn into a vicious spin. Mika narrowly missed a wall and luckily the gravel trap did its job to slow the McLaren before it thumped the tyre barrier. Mika was completely unhurt but stunned. McLaren's bad luck continues.

Salo was suddenly in the lead, but being chased by Eddie Irvine! According to team orders Salo moved over. Ironic as Eddie has been in this position for so long with Michael Schumacher. The Ferraris finished in this order then with Frentzen chasing until the final lap in 3rd place. Salo appeared to have a quicker car though as Irvine nursed an overheating problem. Surely Michael will decide not to return until next season now? Salo will certainly hope so, and I reckon he will be a much sought-after driver too.

Ferrari are now comfortably in the lead in the constructors' championship and Eddie Irvine leap-frogs Hakkinen for the drivers' championship. There are six more races though, so anything could happen. This may be Ferrari's biggest chance to take the title in the past 20 years. However, McLaren should be good enough to take it from them - if their luck improves.....

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