McLaren stay on top

Although neither Mika Hakkinen nor David Coulthard were not entirely happy with the balance of their McLaren-Mercedes this morning they still were comfortably ahead of their opposition in the final free practice session. Both Coulthard and Hakkinen had a spin during the session, Coulthard at the bus stop chicane with no consequences , while Hakkinen upset the last 6 minutes of the session when he spun at the hairpin. He was unable to get the car out of gear and remained on the outside of the track causing a yellow flag situation for the rest of the field as they went for their quick laps.

Schumacher sixth but not sad

"The first time I went for a quick lap I was slowed by the red flag for Salo and the second time by Mika Hakkinen's car parked at La Source," explained Michael Schumacher whose Ferrari was not as bad as his sixth fastest time might suggest. He spent the first half of the session setting the car up in race trim and then tried qualifying set-up in the second half. Eddie Irvine was happier with the performance of his car this morning after set-up changes , despite the fact that he had a spin earlier in the session which cost him some time stuck out on the track.

Hill going well

Damon Hill continues to go well in the Jordan-Mugen-Honda and declared himself quite happy with his car this morning after setting the third fastest time. Ralf Schumacher was back in ninth place, the young German complaining of too much understeer on the downhill new section of track which joins the two original sides of the circuit.

No problems for Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve was suffering no ill consequences after his big accident yesterday. He set the fourth fastest time this morning saying that he did not take the infamous Eau Rouge corner flat out this morning, but had planned to try again in qualifying as he knew it was possible. Heinz Harald Frentzen spent the session chasing the best set-up and did not better eighth fastest, he too caught out by the yellow flags on his fast lap at the end.

Alesi happier

Jean Alesi was happier with the handling of his Sauber this morning after setting 7th fastest time , however, his team mate Herbert was back in 12th place saying that he still did not have the confidence in his car to take Eau Rouge flat out which was costing him most of his lost time.

In brief... A bad morning for Arrows. Both their new D-spec engines blew up this morning. The team fitted an older C-spec engine for Salo in 40 minutes, but the Finn then crashed at Eau Rouge on his first flying lap and seriously damaged the car. It is not certain if he will be passed fit to qualify this afternoon after being taken to the local hospital for a check-up. Verstappen spun and then stopped with his Stewart because of an engine problem. Neither Benetton drivers were very happy with their cars , Fisichella tenth and Wurz eleventh. Takagi did well to set 13th fastest for Tyrrell, his first time at the circuit.