SEASON 1999 IN FORMULA 1: HAKINEN ON TOP AGAIN

SEASON 1999 IN FORMULA 1: HAKINEN ON TOP AGAIN

After the triumph in 1998 in Formula 1, Mika Hakkinen is ready to do anything to defend his world title. However, none of his competitors intend to let him get his wish easily. To make Hakkinen's road clash with McLaren-Mercedes truly classic, Michael Schumacher and young sensation Eddie Irvine - both Ferrari drivers - stand out.

The three drivers were relatively close in points until the middle of the season when, at the British Grand Prix, Schumacher suffered an accident in which he broke his leg. Thus, the two-time world champion misses 7 starts and practically loses a chance to fight for the drivers' trophy. Left alone, however, Eddie Irvine surprisingly managed to oppose the experienced driver of McLaren-Mercedes and did not allow him to break away from the result for a moment. Thus, two starts before the end of the season, when Michael Schumacher returns to the track, the drivers' title has a real chance to be taken from Hakkinen. The penultimate start for the Malaysian Grand Prix, however, unfolded in a special way for the Ferrari team. Irvine won it, and Schumacher finished second. After reviewing the race, the FIA decided to strip the two drivers of the win due to technical irregularities. Thus, everything is decided in the last start of the season for the Japanese Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher started there from pole position. A possible victory by him would have guaranteed Irvine the title, but Hakkinen was able to overtake him to defend his trophy from last year. Ferrari talent Eddie Irvine finished second overall and third in the order was Heinz-Harald Frentzen with Jordan. Schumacher, who missed seven starts, finished fifth.

Although Ferrari failed to dethrone Mika Hakkinen among the drivers, the "black horses" won the world title among the constructors. Thus the Scuderia triumphed for the first time since 1983. this way. For Finn Mika Hakkinen, this is the last world title in Formula 1