Preview Hungary 1999

Can anything stop Eddie Irvine?

by Jo Howard

The Hungaroring is home to the Hungarian Grand Prix. This track makes heavy demands on both the driver and the teams. Overtaking is virtually impossible, meaning that pit stop strategies play an important role. The average speed is a meagre 113 mph, meaning a lot of the course is negotiated in the lower gears. Pressuring the man in front and hoping he makes a mistake is the only chance to overtake on the circuit, meaning that racing is very close. The last two races have been tense finishes, and with only five cars going the full racing distance at this track in 1998, it should demonstrate whether criticism of backmarkers is valid or not.

Last year, Michael Schumacher's splash-and-dash third pit stop enabled him to win the race from the second row of the grid. Although the German is absent this year, new Ferrari Number One, Eddie Irvine, is searching for his third consecutive win and his fourth this season. Last season, he was one of five drivers who failed to finish the race, (along with new team mate Salo). Mika Salo gaining his best ever finish in only his second drive for Ferrari is indicative of the team's overall fortune this season - only Michael Schumacher's accident has gone against them. The McLarens, in comparison to their championship rivals, had a torrid time over the last two races. Mika Hakkinen is hoping that he won't suffer the same fate he did last year, or that of his last race in Germany, whilst David Coulthard must attempt to appease the team by not damaging his race car for the third race in succession!

Whilst most of the weekend's attention will be focused on the Ferrari and McLaren teams, Jordan have made good progress this season with Heinz-Harald Frentzen. This was aptly illustrated by his second place in Hockenheim, having excellently out-qualifying David Coulthard's McLaren and both Ferraris. Also, Ralph Schumacher has driven some impressive races in a Williams, so he will be expecting to improve on his ninth position from last year. Alex Zanardi has still to become accustomed to his car and his performances not living up to expectation.

At Stewart, Johnny Herbert will be hoping for different luck in Hungary, likewise Rubens Barichello, who has recently shared Herbert's fortune. The much improved Stewart car is capable of racing with the Jordans and giving the McLaren team and Ferrari something else to worry about if the car is reliable. Jacques Villeneuve has yet to finish a race in his BAR and with Ricardo Zonta will be hoping just to finish the race.

Benetton, Prost and Sauber will hope to finish the race and continue showing progress. All three teams have been well of the pace of the front runners, and need to be more competitive. Meanwhile, Arrows and Minardi will be hoping for good weekends from all their drivers, of whom, Marc Gene is having the best season.

The Hungarian Grand Prix should provide much excitement because the stakes are now so high. Ferrari will be wishing to consolidate their leads on both championships, and McLaren will be hoping to improve their luck of past races as they chase their hope for a second, consecutive title. It will be the master strategist Ross Brawn against McLaren to see who can deliver the perfect strategy with the other teams hoping to out-smart them both!

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