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GRAND
PRIX : Hungarian : McLaren Regain the Initiative This was always going to be a high-pressure race for Michael Schumacher
and the Ferrari team. With the exception of Rubens Barrichello's slightly
fortuitous win at the previous Grand Prix at Hockenheim, the McLarens'
resurgence and Schuey's total of 700 yards covered in two Grand Prix
was a source for some concern.
In Saturday's qualifying Schumacher looked unbeatable and the F1-2000
looked balanced and benign round the twisty and dusty Hungaroring circuit.
The two McLarens, again with David Coulthard quickest, interjected themselves
between the Ferraris and Rubens Barrichello was to start the race from
fifth on the grid, freely admitting that this circuit did not suit him.
The post-Hockenheim euphoria about Rubens being permitted to contest
the World Championship had suddenly gone quiet.
Passing would be difficult because of the nature of the circuit and
therefore the start became crucial. As the lights went out, Schumacher
initially pulled well away from Coulthard on the front row but somehow
Hakkinen found amazing grip and dived to the inside of the first corner
and took a lead he was never to lose.
The Finn's lap times became increasingly astonishing as he pulled away
from those behind. Although well adrift from Hakkinen, Schumacher initially
pulled out a five-second lead from Coulthard, but after the first pit
stops on his next set of tyres Coulthard determinedly closed up on the
lead Ferrari. Being unable to pass, he had to follow it all the way
home to the flag despite the McLaren team performing a very quick second
pit stop.
Barrichello stayed behind Ralf Schumacher's Williams at the start and
it was only good pit work by the Ferrari crew which put him ahead of
the German and into the fourth place he achieved at the end.
Quite where Hakkinen gained the extra 1½ secs per lap compared with
his relative performance in qualifying is the subject of some conjecture.
Prior to the race a number of suspension changes were made to his car
and these must have made a surprising degree of difference. Schumacher
was never in with a chance and the tifosi must undoubtedly have felt
disappointment that both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship
leads have now been lost to the Woking team.
From having had a 22-point lead in the Championship Schumacher now
trails Hakkinen by two points. It is looking ominous that a strong McLaren
revival will see this Championship go down to the wire.
The next round takes place at the ultra-fast Spa circuit, where good
aerodynamics and driver bravery will come to the fore.
Jean Todt: "Today's result is a bit disappointing because after
claiming pole position yesterday, we thought we could win. But Hakkinen
was the quickest man on the track. However, it was very important to
get both drivers to the flag, especially Michael who had retired from
the last three races. For the first time this season we have lost the
lead in the Constructors' Championship, even if it is just by a single
point, and Michael is now two points behind the leader in the Drivers'
classification. We are back to where we were just before this race,
but with the positions reversed with our main rivals. We can say that
the Championship will start again at Spa-Francorchamps."
Michael Schumacher: "All things considered, I am happy with
second place. I was just not fast enough in the race. I had problems
with wheelspin at the start in Hockenheim and so this time I was, perhaps,
a bit too careful and that lost me some momentum. It was not such a
bad start, but I could see Mika behind me and then he came inside me.
I kept it tight, but he was there and in the end I had to open the door.
Even if I had kept the lead, I think he would have passed me later or
in the pit stops. Also with David it was a close fight, but we timed
the pit stops well and so I was able to drive carefully to second place.
Although we were quick on the first days we did not pull out enough
for the race. We will have to look into that. We have some good ideas
on how to improve, but I am sure our rivals also have. We will see at
the end of the season who has done the best job."
Rubens Barrichello: "I think I lost my chance of a better result
on Saturday when I didn't qualify well. After that, it was impossible
for me to overtake Ralf Schumacher and so I paid the price. The pit
crew did a fantastic job to put me ahead of him. I was too far behind
the others and although I tried to catch them I could not. To finish
fourth after winning the last race is not fantastic but it was the best
I could do. It was a tough race in the heat. I ran out of water halfway
through the race and I lost about one and a half kilos."
Hungaroring, 13.08.00
RACE RESULTS
The Hungarian Grand Prix
Hungaroring, Hungary;
77 laps; 306.075Kms;
Weather: Sunny, hot.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team
1. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1h45:33.869
2. M.Schumacher Ferrari + 7.900
3. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes + 8.400
4. Barrichello Ferrari + 44.100
5. R.Schumacher Williams BMW + 50.400
6. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda + 1:18.000
7. Trulli Jordan Mugen-Honda + 1 Lap
8. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth + 1 Lap
9. Button Williams BMW + 1 Lap
10. Salo Sauber Petronas + 1 Lap
11. Wurz Benetton Playlife + 1 Lap
12. Villeneuve BAR Honda + 2 Laps
13. Verstappen Arrows Supertec + 2 Laps
14. Zonta BAR Honda + 2 Laps
15. Gene Minardi Fondmetal + 3 Laps
16. de la Rosa Arrows Supertec + 4 Laps
Fastest Lap: M.Hakkinen, 1:20.028
Not Classified/Retirements:
Driver Team On Lap Reason
Mazzacane Minardi Fondmetal 68 engine
Herbert Jaguar Cosworth 67 handling
Diniz Sauber Petronas 62 engine
Fisichella Benetton Playlife 31 handling
Heidfeld Prost Peugeot 22 electrics
Alesi Prost Peugeot 11 suspension
World Championship Standing, Round 12:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. Hakkinen 64 1. McLaren 112
2. M.Schumacher 62 2. Ferrari 111
3. Coulthard 58 3. Williams-BMW 24
4. Barrichello 49 4. Benetton-Playlife 18
5. Fisichella 18 5. BAR-Honda 12
6. R.Schumacher 16 = Jordan-Mugen Honda 12
7. Villeneuve 11 7. Sauber 6
8. Button 8 8. Arrows 4
9. Trulli 6 9. Jaguar 3
= Salo 6
= Frentzen 6
12. Irvine 3
13. Verstappen 2
= de la Rosa 2
15. Zonta 1
Acknowledgement: Race data by Atlas F1.
Pics by Sutton, Schlegelmilch, Allsport.
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