Sunday October 31st, 1999

Ferrari Salute Hakkinen
Ferrari Press Release

Ferrari won the Constructors' Championship today, for the first time in 16 year. This was also Eddie Irvine's last race for the Italian team.

Jean Todt: "Before this race, we had two objectives; to win the Constructors' and the Drivers' championships. Today we won the Constructors' title for the first time in 16 years. Despite Michael's seven race absence, the team reacted in the right way and this title is down to the work of everyone here at the circuit and back home in Maranello. Of course, we would have preferred to see Eddie crowned world champion as well. It did not happen, but that is motor racing. This is the last Constructors' championship of the century and it will put us in the right frame of mind as we head for the year 2000. I am proud to head up such a great team as this title win proves we are the best this year."

Michael Schumacher: "I think the two championships ended in a fair way today, with Ferrari winning the Constructors' title and Mika the Drivers' crown after he drove a fantastic race. He is a great champion. Ferrari can be proud because it is a great achievement as it is not easy to beat such a strong team as McLaren. Already at the start of the formation lap, I realised something was not operating correctly and the same happened again at the start, when I had too much wheelspin. The handling of the car in the first part of the race was not perfect. In the second stint I was able to close the gap, but it was too late. Then another driver held me up, which cost me at least 10 seconds. Without that, maybe the race could have been closer."

Eddie Irvine: "Third place was a good result for me, given the problems I had in qualifying. I made a good start, but could not get between Coulthard and Frentzen, which is why Panis passed me. I had problems with the differential which were cured at the first pit stop. But by then there was no need to push any harder. My neck was beginning to hurt towards the end, after my accident yesterday. I had a pretty boring race, just watching the TV screens to see if anything would happen to Mika. At least Ferrari has got a consolation prize in the form of the Constructors' Championship, even if it is not the one I was really interested in. But it is a nice leaving present for the team. At first Coulthard was pushing me, then after the pit stop, he was holding me up, but we knew there would be games today! I have to say Mika did a fantastic job today. He deserved the title and he won it in style."