1999 Formula One season
Season 2000 >
The Formula 1 1999 season was the 50th FIA Formula 1 World Championship. She was discharged through 16 races in the period 7 March 1999 to 31 October 1999. New on the calendar was the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.
Defending champion Mika Hakkinen could defend his title and won for the second time the drivers' world championship. McLaren was the Constructors' titles can not defend - Ferrari won for the first time in 16 years. Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher fell in the title battle after his accident at Silverstone Grand Prix of Great Britain, and was sidelined for six races.
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Teams and Drivers
Race Calendar
Race Reports
Grand Prix of Australia
The Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne was held on 7 March 1999 on 57 laps instead of on total 302.271 km.
At the season opener, the favored McLaren drivers Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard, who had dominated the training, as well as Michael Schumacher stumbled in the Ferrari. All three have won no championship points. Instead succeeded Eddie Irvine, Ferrari's number two, after a sovereign idea his first victory against the resurgent after joining Jordan Heinz- Harald Frentzen and Ralf Schumacher in the Williams.
What no one knew at that time was the fact that the top three should play a significant role in the world championship again the rest of the season. The other places occupied by an environment characterized by many failures race Giancarlo Fisichella and Rubens Barrichello before Pedro de la Rosa -scoring in his first race in the barely competitive Arrows.
Grand Prix of Brazil
The Brazilian Grand Prix on the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo took place on 11 April in 1999 and went over a distance of 72 laps with a total of 309.024 kilometers.
His second pole position of the year could now also be translated into a victory Mika Häkkinen. Only Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari was able to match his pace. Third-placed Frentzen was already back a lap, but had this luck, as he lay there on the last lap, and retained his third place only due to the lapping.
Grand Prix of San Marino
The Grand Prix of San Marino at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola was held on 2 May 1999 and went over a distance of 62 laps with a total of 305.660 kilometers.
Now it was Schumacher who first stood on the podium thanks to the clumsiness of an opponent. Already in the 18th round was eliminated Häkkinen after a collision with the wall. Thanks to the success Scuderia Ferrari also felt in the traditionally critical Italian press again an updraft.
Grand Prix of Monaco
The Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo was held on 16 May 1999, went over a distance of 78 laps on a total of 262.626 kilometers.
Despite pole position there had not been enough for Mika Häkkinen to a victory. Because even at the start had passed Michael Schumacher to him and Eddie Irvine David Coulthard. As Irvine could also overtake the irritated by a pool of oil Häkkinen at the end of the race, the double victory was perfect. Häkkinen complained after the race on an adjusted front wing, who had the handling of the car and thus more difficult for him the break.
After ultimately unchallenged double victory of the two Ferrari Schumacher took over the interim lead in the overall standings.
Grand Prix of Spain
The Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona took place on 30 May 1999, went over a distance of 65 laps with a total of 307.320 kilometers.
At the Grand Prix of Spain Hakkinen and Coulthard appeared with their undisputed double victory before the two Ferrari drivers to have initially put a damper on their ambitions. Häkkinen had previously won the pole position, which provided him the foundation for this victory. Ferrari hoped that thanks to his "soft" tires in qualifying runner Irvine Hakkinen could have blocked, but this failed because of the poor start Irvine. The leichtbetankten BAR- Honda of Jacques Villeneuve could even overtake both Ferraris. When he turned off to for refueling in the pits, two McLarens were already cut off, so that Coulthard himself could permit overrunning the pit marks and yet remained ahead of Schumacher. Although Irvine still managed the fastest lap of the race, over the distance, however, were the McLaren -Mercedes can not be beat in this race weekend.
Grand Prix of Canada
The Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles -Villeneuve in Montreal took place on 13 June 1999, and went over a distance of 69 laps with a total of 305.049 kilometers.
In bright sunshine it had not initially appear that there could be in this race day many failures. But the treacherous wall at the outset of the finish line, which was usually approached after the previous short chicane at high risk to take as much momentum on the line, got a new nickname: "wall of champions". Successively stranded here until Mika Hakkinen all other Formula 1 world champion of the previous years: Damon Hill ( 15th round ), Michael Schumacher ( 30th round ) and Jacques Villeneuve (35th round ), the so his home race was thoroughly spoiled. Previously, the former GT world champion and former Formula 3000 champion Ricardo Zonta was already (3rd round ) rebounded there in the wall. Hakkinen could thereby Grand Prix controlled and unchallenged drive home. This could Schumacher not play the advantage of the previously achieved pole position. The short time intervals of the driver at the finish line were caused by a safety car period, which was triggered three laps to go through an accident of Frentzen and lasted until the end.
Grand Prix of France
The French Grand Prix at the Circuit de Nevers Magny -Cours in Nevers took place on 24 June 1999 and went over a distance of 72 laps ( 305.886 km ).
On the demanding, but by the drivers because of the thread environment unloved course the spectators witnessed in very changeable conditions, with sun and rain alternated several times, an entertaining race. Even the starting line-up had made for unusual circumstances. Surprisingly, Barrichello was with his Stewart on the pole position on the second place was Alesi Sauber. Only at the 14th had the embossed by freak weather training Häkkinen " flushed ".
With Frentzen won the pilot who could hold his vollgetankten seater best under these difficult conditions on the track. Against his will, the car had been fully fueled at the only pit stop. The vehicle was to dominate in some curves hardly Frentzen said after the race. As the track conditions changed again, he was able to save the only one making an extra stop and belonged with his victory at the title contenders. Mika Hakkinen had launched an impressive comeback, but had to attend a second pitstop and so came in second place.
Grand Prix of Great Britain
The Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone was held on July 11 in 1999 and went over a distance of 60 laps ( 308.400 km ).
At the start remained Villeneuve and Zanardi stand why the jury decided to cancel the race. Schumacher tried to then drive to Stowe corner to overtake Irvine, and ignored the red flags. Then, however, failed at more than 300 km / h, braking, so the Ferrari despite the large run-out zone with more than 100 km / h crashed into the tire wall. Here, the monocoque was heavily damaged, Schumacher broke his right tibia and fibula.
After the restart, Häkkinen lost after a pit stop, a rear, and gave a result of consequential damages. The duel between Coulthard and Irvine were resolved in favor Coulthard.
Grand Prix of Austria
The Grand Prix of Austria at the A1- Ring in Spielberg took place on 25 July in 1999 and went over a distance of 71 laps ( 306.649 km ).
The race started with a small scandal: Hakkinen and Coulthard started from positions 1 and 2 in the second curve Coulthard tried a hapless overtaking, consequently Hakkinen fell back to the last place. He started to catch up to No. 3, but the McLaren team was due to a wrong tactic not prevent the victory of Irvine.
Grand Prix of Germany
The Grand Prix of Germany at the Hockenheim Ring in Hockenheim was held on 1 August 1999 and went over a distance of 45 laps with a total of 307.035 kilometers.
Also in this race remained Häkkinen unlucky faithful. After a long lead in the race the tank system was not working properly during the pit stops and as a result he fell back to fourth place. When he overtook Frentzen, broke the rear wing of his McLaren - Mercedes. Häkkinen was the resulting serious accident but unharmed. In the final laps Mika Salo left by team order by his teammates Irvine, who took over the championship lead again thanks to this victory.
Grand Prix of Hungary
The Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring in Budapest took place on August 15, 1999, and went over a distance of 77 laps on a total of 305.844 kilometers.
This time everything went smoothly with Hakkinen and McLaren was pleased again with a double victory.
Grand Prix of Belgium
The Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps race track near spa was held on 29 August 1999 was over a distance of 44 laps over 306.577 km.
As in Austria, there was a fierce battle between pole sitter Hakkinen and Coulthard at the start, this time Coulthard had the upper hand and clearly won the race. Häkkinen was hoping for a team order of the teams that failed to materialize, however.
Grand Prix of Italy
The Grand Prix of Italy at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza took place on 12 September 1999, went over a distance of 53 laps ( 305.548 km ).
As in Imola different Häkkinen in the lead due to a driving error from. Frentzen benefited from and could also make hopes for the title because of the second season victory. The second place of Ralf Schumacher made the German double victory perfect and Mika Salo pulled back with a third place points.
Grand Prix of Europe
The European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring took place on 26 September 1999, went over a distance of 66 laps with a total of 300.679 kilometers.
The race was overshadowed at the beginning of a serious accident by Pedro Diniz. Later, there were several lead changes as both Coulthard, Frentzen and Ralf Schumacher on account of technical problems either relapsed or dropped out, so that was the end of Johnny Herbert Sensation winner. A Aufreger there was the pit stop by Eddie Irvine, as the mechanic only had three new tires are ready - Irvine thus lost more than 30 seconds. Since Häkkinen however came to the finish only fifth place after a wrong tire choice, this could hardly benefit.
Grand Prix of Malaysia
The Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur was held on 17 October 1999, went over a distance of 56 laps at 310.352 km.
In this race, Michael Schumacher made his comeback after broken leg, Irvine but had to concede victory because of the title chances of the Irish. After the race, both Ferraris were disqualified because of a wind deflector does not comply with the regulations, Häkkinen was thus world champion. Ferrari appealed against this decision an appeal, the disqualification was withdrawn at the Green Table.
Grand Prix of Japan
The Grand Prix of Japan at the Suzuka International Racing Course near Suzuka took place on 31 October 1999 and went over a distance of 53 laps on a total of 310.596 kilometers.
The race in Suzuka promised large voltage: Irvine had 70, Häkkinen 66 points. Although Schumacher started from pole to Hakkinen secured even before the first bend the lead and won the race with confidence. This made him the second time after 1998 Formula 1 world champion. Ferrari gave up a team hierarchy, as would have gone to Hakkinen in the event of a tie the title.
World Cup ratings
World Champion will be the one driver or designer who has accumulated up to the end of the season the most points in the World Cup. The distribution of points, the placings in the overall result of the competition in all races are considered. The six top-ranked riders in each race will receive points according to the following scheme:
Drivers' championship
Constructors' Championship
Resignations
Even during the season was Damon Hill, World Champion 1996, announced his retirement. It was also the last season for Alex Zanardi ( went back to the Champ ) and Tora Takagi. One year break also made Olivier Panis, the 2000 test driver for McLaren was for the season. He returned in 2001 back in the BAR team.
Others
- Harvey Postlethwaite, one of the most influential engineers of his time, died in tests for Honda in April 1999 of heart failure.