Saturday March 25th, 2000

by Timothy Collings

Defending world champion Mika Hakkinen of Finland claimed the 23rd pole position of his career on Saturday in qualifying for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

But there was drama as Frenchman Jean Alesi escaped unhurt from a bizarre and dangerous incident when an advertising hoarding fell on his car.

Alesi, 36, the oldest and most experienced driver in the sport, was forced to swerve violently at more than 250 kph in his Prost-Peugeot when the board dropped about 10 metres towards the track.

It struck the front wing of his car, causing serious damage as Alesi struggled to avoid a major collision in what was an extraordinary qualifying session for Sunday's race.

"It wasn't close," said Alesi. "It was in my car! It was very near. I just thank God I am all right and I was wearing my helmet."

Other drivers condemned the incident which led to the session being red-flagged to a halt for a third time.

Both of the two previous stoppages were caused by falling chunks of advertising placed on the bridge to promote the race sponsors Marlboro.

Double world champion German Michael Schumacher said: "Of course, I am angry about this. Someone could have been hurt very badly. But it is not something done deliberately by the circuit people.

"It is one of those things that can happen and I just hope the circuit will learn from it."

Briton David Coulthard who qualified second fastest to share the front row of the grid with his McLaren teaam mate Hakkinen, said: "I am sure it will be fixed for the race. It is a worry, but it is one of those things."

Circuit spokesperson Suzi Fittipaldi said: "Of course, it is very serious and it is something that should never be allowed to happen like this. We don't know what will happen to us until we hear about it from FIA."

Hakkinen was delighted at taking pole but upset at the falling signs. "I think it is terrible, a disaster, that this can happen and I just hope something is done to fix it," he said.

"It was very unfortunate and it was very, very lucky that Alesi was not hurt."

Hakkinen, who started the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in pole position two weeks ago, took control of the session on his first run after only 14 minutes at the Interlagos circuit.

Later, heavy rain fell and the last 15 minutes were little more than a wet weather practice session.

Hakkinen finished with a best time of one minute and 14.111 seconds which was enough to leave him nearly two-tenths of a second ahead of Coulthard. Schumacher was third fastest in his Ferrari ahead of his team mate, local hero Brazilian Rubens Barrichello.

This meant the front two rows of the grid repeated those in Australia two weeks ago where the two McLarens retired and the Ferraris came home in first and second places.

Asked about the session, Hakkinen said: "I am very happy and I want to finish this race. I need to get some points and I feel confident we can do something."

Coulthard said he felt he had plenty more to come from himself and his car, while Schumacher also oozed confidence that he could secure a second successive victory. "I feel we are in very good shape and I am looking forward to the race," he said.