Roll on Hungary

A Hilly Location!

by Formula-1.co.uk

With just two rounds of the 1999 championship remaining, the Formula One season is heading Malaysia for the first time. This new facility promises a great deal, with the circuit constructed with racing in mind. The circuit is almost twice as wide as most contemporary circuits and it is hoped that the drivers will be able to take more than one line through the corners.

The championship battle itself is shaping up nicely with four drivers still capable of wining the drivers’ title and two teams still able to win the constructors’ championship. Many expect the battle to come down to a straight fight between Eddie Irvine and Mika Hakkinen, but I am not so sure as Heinz-Harald Frentzen is more than capable of making life tough for his competitors in the final races.

Not only do we have a new circuit, a close championship battle, but heavy thunderstorms are predicted over the three-day race weekend and the return of Michael Schumacher to Ferrari!

Michael Schumacher had decided to sit out the final two-rounds of the championship, but a chat with Luca di Montezemolo seemed to change the German’s mind. Schumacher then went on to set the fastest laps of the season in testing at Fiorano, so any doubts about the German’s speed should be discounted. For Ferrari and Eddie Irvine, Schumacher’s return is nothing but good news as the team seems to have lost its way during Schumacher’s enforced absence. Quite how Schumacher can actually help Irvine in the race itself remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – Schumacher will be racing to help his former number two.

Over at McLaren there must be an air of dismay. Quite how the team has failed to wrap up this championship by this stage of the season with the chassis and engine package that they enjoy is unclear. What is clear is that Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard and McLaren themselves have all failed to capitalise on the chances that have been offered to them. Hakkinen – once dubbed the ‘ice man’ – seems to have lost his nerve in recent races, spinning out of the lead at Monza and then putting in a poor performance at the European Grand Prix three weeks ago. It remains to be seen whether the Finn can pick up his season and make it back-to-back world championships.

Ferrari have also had a poor run in recent races. Who will forget the three-wheel fiasco at the Nurburgring? Irvine has driven hard, but there will be no escaping the fact that he has scored just eight points from the last four races. The team has been working hard on the F399 chassis – testing constantly at Mugello and Fiorano in their all out bid to win their first drivers’ championship in twenty years. Sepang will be make or break for the team.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen is the man who has nothing to loose and everything to gain. His championship aspirations are a long shot, but with Mugen Honda producing better and better powerplant for the final races of the season, only a fool would discount the German. Meanwhile Damon Hill’s season is coming to an end and it is finally clear that the 1996 World Champions will see out his contract with the team. For Hill, it would be fitting if he could finish his career on a high note.

Ralf Schumacher has done nothing but impress this season in his Williams Supertec. Indeed, the German was unfortunate not to win the European Grand Prix three weeks ago, but it will only be a matter of time before he records his first Grand Prix win. With rain forecast over the weekend, many believe that Ralf could do it this weekend. Alex Zanardi continues to struggle in the sister Williams, but the popular Italian will be looking to secure those elusive points.

Pedro Diniz has been testing and appears to be fully fit after his horrific barrel-roll at the European Grand Prix. Jean Alesi has the ability to fight for the points, but the Sauber team seem to be looking to the 2000 season and not the current one.

The race promises much and we will all be hoping for a good clean fight for the championship honours...

Malaysian Grand Prix Weekend