As mentioned throughout last year's editions of Atlas F1 Qualifying Differentials, we are going to keep an eye on the battle between teammates throughout the season by race and overall averages (again). The measurement is simple. We compare the intra-team difference in seconds on Saturday. Some may say compensation must be given in the favoritism between the number one and two seats within the team. We, on the other hand, do not grant that pardon. For better or worse, our analyses will be on the perfect world of egalitarian status in intra-team rivalry.

So, here we go once more. With two qualifying sessions completed for 1998, the differentials are on a roll. Let's see which drivers deserve bragging rights.

Looking for Australian Differentials? Click HERE.
Looking for 1997 Differentials? Click HERE.

Brazil Notables

1. Hakkinen. In Brazil, there was little dispute that Hakkinen was the fastest driver in the fastest car. On a mediocre track with mediocre results in other teams, Mika burned brilliant. Mika also manages to break the mediocre differential trend with his teammate that has lasted 18 races; The Finn had an average faster differential of only 0.164 seconds in 1997 (9th best) and only managed to be 0.043 seconds quicker than Coulthard in Australia. Will the confidence of two race wins break Mika out of the pack? We will soon see.

2. Takagi. Again, is Toranasuke Rex this good? Or, is Ricardo this bad?

3. Frentzen. While Jacques was learning new guitar riffs this weekend, Heinz-Harald dominated his teammate along with everything that wasn't a Mercedes. Frentzen is 1-1 against Villeneuve so far. After being beaten thirteen sessions out of seventeen in 1997, will the mighty, mighty HHF manage to overcome the marginal 0.372 differential his teammate held in 1997? I'm willing to bet he will as long as that teammate is Villeneuve and not Wurz.

4. Herbert. Before the big 1998 Brazilian Differential session on Saturday, Jean Alesi had 60 laps under his belt at Interlagos with the Sauber. Johnny had 29: less than half. Throw in a nasty crash, a stiff neck and a sticking throttle, and Johnny still manages to beat Jean. However, Johnny does drop to second place behind Toranasuke Rex in 1998 Atlas F1 Qualifying Differentials.

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