1999 European Grand Prix

Championship standings

Häkkinen and Irvine are tied at the top on 60 points each with three rounds to run. Frentzen is third on 50, ten behind — still mathematically in contention. Coulthard is fourth on 48. McLaren lead the Constructors’ with 108 points; Ferrari are second on 102.

Previous race

At Monza, Häkkinen was leading comfortably when he selected first gear instead of second at the Rettifilo chicane on lap 30 and spun out of the race — a virtual repeat of his unforced error at San Marino. In a rare show of emotion, he burst into tears at the trackside. Frentzen inherited the lead and won. Coulthard finished fifth and Irvine sixth, leaving them level at the top of the standings.

Between-race developments

McLaren, Williams, Jordan, and Stewart ran a three-day test at Magny-Cours from 14 to 16 September. Coulthard was fastest on all three days. Ferrari ran Irvine and Salo at Mugello. Benetton performed aerodynamic mapping tests at RAF Kemble.

Practice

Saturday’s qualifying session was held on a wet track after earlier rainfall. Frentzen took his second career pole with a time of 1:19.910 in the Jordan. He said he “felt fantastic to be on pole” but believed he could have set a quicker lap, having carried five laps’ worth of fuel during his run.

The first practice session on Friday took place in dry conditions, with an ambient temperature of 19 °C and a track temperature of 25 °C.

Milestones

The Nürburgring race returns to the European Grand Prix title this year, having been held as the Luxembourg Grand Prix in both 1997 and 1998.