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.
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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