Austrian Grand Prix, July 1999

Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg, July 1999

Eddie Irvine rose to the occasion and filled the shoes of the injured Michael Schumacher with a superb victory for Ferrari in the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1 Ring in Spielberg. In truth, this was another race McLaren lost though, as firstly David Coulthard tangled with teammate Mika Hakkinen and then subsequently lost the lead with a poor pitstop strategy. Irvine had been disappointing during qualifying managing only a distant third behind Hakkinen and Coulthard and finding the car difficult to drive.	Eddie for champion?
Heinz-Harald Frentzen secured fourth in the Jordan ahead of Rubens Barrichello and Johnny Herbert in the Stewart-Fords. Mika Salo, the stand-in Ferrari driver, took seventh in his first race for the team. Barrichello made a good start and passed Frentzen into the first corner, but it was at the second corner that Coulthard tried an ambitious move up the inside of Hakkinen. He caught the rear wheel of his teammate spinning Mika off and, although there was no damage, Hakkinen found himself at the back of the field. In the confusion, Barrichello took advantage and managed to pass Irvine but teammate Herbert was not so lucky and was hit from behind by Salo. Both drivers resumed after pitting but were way behind and effectively out of contention. Jacques Villeneuve now found himself fifth in the BAR whilst Ralf Schumacher's Williams inherited sixth. Not for the first time, the McLarens seemed to be in a class of their own as Coulthard began to build a lead at a second a lap until he was 13 seconds clear, whilst Hakkinen began a charge through the field. The Finn was 16th by lap five, 12th by lap eight and 9th by lap 17. Meanwhile, Ralf Schumacher spun out under pressure from Pedro Diniz on lap eight, and the Sauber man continued an impressive early drive by passing Villeneuve for fifth a few laps later. His teammate, Jean Alesi, was also on a flyer as he carved his way through the midfield, eventually passing Villeneuve for sixth on lap 19. The reason for the Sauber form became clear as both pitted in quick succession on laps 24 and 25, revealing their two stop strategy.
Irvine pips Coulthard to the flag	Hakkinen had by now also passed Villeneuve and gained two places as the Saubers pitted, leaving him fifth by lap 26 and Villeneuve back in sixth, although this was short lived as the BAR coasted to a halt (again) a few laps later. By lap 34 Hakkinen was on Frentzen's tail and passed him for fourth with a daring manouevre which rather relied on Heinz-Harald's good nature to avoid an accident. Hakkinen was now the fastest man on the track, but 17 seconds behind Irvine.
At the front, strange things were happening as Coulthard began to slow a touch and his lead came down to 8 seconds. Barrichello was first to pit, on lap 38, and had an appalling stop at 12.5 seconds, followed by Coulthard who took a lazy 10.5 seconds. Irvine, freed of what must have been a heavy early fuel load, was now motoring and put in a series of exceptional laps a la Schumacher until he eventually stopped on lap 44. A quick 8.6 second stop was enough to get Eddie out at the front of the field, another tactical masterpiece from Ross Brawn at Ferrari. Irvine now lead both Coulthard and Barrichello, with Hakkinen still back in fourth ahead of Frentzen and Alesi. Alesi retired shortly afterwards allowing Alexander Wurz's Benetton an unexpected place in the points. By lap 51 Hakkinen had caught and passed Barrichello, although a few laps later the Stewart-Ford engine blew and the day ended in disappointment for the team. Frentzen was now fourth, Wurz fifth and Diniz sixth. The final laps were enlivened by Coulthard reeling in Irvine, having initially drifted a few seconds behind. However, the Irishman held firm despite brakes so worn out they were smoking, to take his second Grand Prix victory for Ferrari. Coulthard was only 0.3 seconds adrift at the flag with Hakkinen some way behind in third. Fast Eddie did what was required of him and is now only 2 points behind Hakkinen in the championship, so we really do still have a fight on our hands. However, if the McLaren boys can keep out of each other's way and sort out their strategy, there may be a different story to tell.