1998 Luxembourg Grand Prix

Championship standings

Häkkinen and Schumacher are level on 80 points heading to the Nürburgring, with Häkkinen ahead on countback. Two races remain.

Previous race

At Monza, Schumacher’s Ferrari won in wet qualifying conditions. Häkkinen made a brilliant start from third to lead the first portion of the race before brake problems developed. He waved Coulthard through, but then Coulthard’s engine blew and Schumacher passed Häkkinen through the smoke. Häkkinen twice went off trying to stay with Schumacher as his rear brakes failed, eventually finishing fourth. Irvine took second for Ferrari and Ralf Schumacher third — Jordan’s third podium from their last two races. Schumacher is now level with Häkkinen, but Häkkinen leads on countback as both drivers have the same number of wins. The momentum is with Schumacher, who has won Italy while Häkkinen has not won in four races.

Championship permutations

With one race remaining after this, whoever leads the Nürburgring carries a significant advantage into Japan. Häkkinen needs only to match Schumacher’s result here to maintain his tiebreaker advantage.