Saturday August 28th, 1999
McLarens Fly. So do BARs
Qualifying analysis, by Michele Lupini
Mika Hakkinen will start tomorrow's controversial Belgian Grand Prix from a dominant pole position, as he sets about regaining the World Championship lead. Only his McLaren-Mercedes teammate, David Coulthard, showed any sign of competition, the Scot too mightily impressive around Spa.
"It was, as ever, a great team effort which helped me to achieve my tenth pole of the season. This is not an easy circuit and you have to find the balance not only of the car, but also of knowing where to push and where to compromise on a lap, in order to put in a quick time," said Mika after, while David too, was happy. "I enjoyed the session as the car was going well and we were constantly making improvements."
Eddie Irvine and Ferrari appear to need more than just a tactical masterstroke to beat the flying Silver Arrows tomorrow, the Ferrari effort showing of further signs of losing its way this weekend. "I did not expect to be one and a half seconds off pole. What is worse is that another team has also slipped between us and our usual rivals. As for tomorrow, strategy will be very important and my target will be to get on the podium."
The Irishman battled to sixth in an evil-looking car, behind the Jordans of Frentzen, "I was sure we would be up at the front but also knew it would be hard to catch the McLarens, so I am very happy with today's result," and an impressive Hill - "I am very happy, although perhaps a little disappointed, as it was very close between me and Heinz. But he's a damned good driver." Fifth was an equally good Ralf Schumacher in the Williams, "I am happy with my position."
But the session will be remembered for the flying of something more than the tarmac-bound type of that activity displayed by the McLarens. The BAR team had a frightening day, as first Jacques Villeneuve and then Ricardo Zonta caused qualifying to be red-flagged on two occasions in two accidents, which were frightening not only in their magnitude, but in their almost synchronised similarity.
Jacques lost the back of his car, ploughing backward onto the tyre wall on the outside of the exit of daunting Eau Rouge complex, before and rolling and coming to rest the right way up. Jacques emerged from the wreck and beckoned fire marshals to hurry, before running off, taking time to wave to the concerned crowd, to fetch his mule.
No sooner than Jacques had settled into the spare for the restarted session, did Zonta lose his car in the identical place, in the identical fashion, only exiting to contact the inside tyre barrier, also rolling 360 degrees. He was also quickly out of the wheel-less wreck, thankfully, like his teammate, unscathed.
"I just kissed the kerb on the inside and that just pulled the car in. It was violent but at the same time I know what happened, I made an error. If you know what happens there is no reason to be scared, " said Jacques, while Zonta admitted, "it's difficult to say what happened but some people said it was a little bit damp there."
While both drivers had slightly different views on their crashes, they will tread lightly when they negotiate Eau Rouge in the replacement cars the team flies in for them tomorrow.
For the rest, behind the disappointed Irvine came Rubens Barrichello's Stewart-Ford, Zanardi in the second Williams, Mika Salo and Johnny Herbert, rounding off the top ten. Then came Villeneuve, his early time good for eleventh, Trulli, Fisichella and Zonta, also thanks to his earlier time from Wurz, Panis, Diniz and the usual lot at the back.
Tomorrow's race looks set to be another McLaren whitewash. But Spa may just deal up its usual inclement conditions, and Ferrari fans around the world will be hoping the red cars are much stronger in race trim. If not, tomorrow afternoon could well see new drivers' and constructors' championship leaders.