In the most important race of the season for Scuderia Ferrari
Marlboro's world championship challenge, things could not have
turned out better as Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine took the
front row of the grid for Sunday's Luxembourg Grand Prix. "The
optimum for tomorrow's race," said Michael Schumacher regarding
the all Ferrari front row, Michael's 19th pole, the first one-two
start since Spa in 1995 and the best ever grid position for Eddie
Irvine.
"I spun on my first run and then changed the rear wing after my second run, then I had a perfect third run," explained Schumacher after his second consecutive pole of the season. Irvine was delighted with his performance. "We managed to get rid of the oversteer which kills me. I then improved a little with each run and made a big effort on my last run which brought the time," he said. "I hope I can make my usual good start and then help Michael towards the Championship," said eddie about his role in tomorrow's race.
Hakkinen disappointed to be third.
"It could have been worse," said Mika Hakkinen looking on the bright side of his third place on the grid, although he was disappointed not to be up on the third row. "We were not as fast as we should have been. I was having trouble in the last sector, the car wasn't so good in some corners," added Mika. David Coulthard was unable to better fifth fastest the Scot saying that traffic upset his chances of a quicker lap.
Fine fourth for Fisichella.
Giancarlo Fisichella reckoned he could have made third place on the grid but for running wide on the last corner of his last flying lap, even so , he still set an impressive fourth fastest time of the session for the Benetton team to share the second row of the grid with Hakkinen. Alexander Wurz was a disappointed eighth on the grid, his chances of getting higher also spoiled by traffic.
Ralf Schumacher on third row.
Ralf Schumacher took the second place on the third row of the grid, the second Schumacher having a spin on the same corner as his brother. "I had to take the risk as Coulthard was only just ahead of me," said Ralf. His team-mate Hill also had a spin and was unable to better 10th place on the grid, the British driver still not happy with his car's handling.
Frentzen heads fourth row for Williams.
Heinz Harald Frentzen set the fastest time for Williams, the German managing to set the seventh fastest time on his final run. Jacques Villeneuve took ninth fastest time , the Canadian unable to dial out his car's understeer.
In brief...
Jean Alesi was still complaining of understeer in the high speed corners, Herbert improving his Sauber with more downforce, but still 13th on the grid.
Timing
POS DRIVER NATION TEAM TIME
1. M.Schumacher, GER Ferrari F300 1m 18,561s 208,775 kph
2. E.Irvine, GBR Ferrari F300 1m 18,907 secs +0.346
3. M.Hakkinen, FIN McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13 1m 18,940 secs +0.379
4. G.Fisichella, ITA Benetton-Mecachrome B198 1m 19,048 secs +0.487
5. D.Coulthard, GBR McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13 1m 19,169 secs +0.608
6. R.Schumacher, GER Jordan-Mugen-Honda 198 1m 19,455 secs +0.894
7. H.H.Frentzen, GER Williams-Mecachrome FW20 1m 19,522 secs +0.961
8. A.Wurz, AUT Benetton-Mecachrome B198 1m 19,569 secs +1.008
9. J.Villeneuve, CAN Williams-Mecachrome FW20 1m 19,631 secs +1.070
10. D.Hill, GBR Jordan-Mugen-Honda 198 1m 19,807 secs +1.246
11. J.Alesi, FRA Sauber-Petronas C17 1m 20,493 secs +1.932
12. R.Barrichello, BRA Stewart-Ford SF2 1m 20,530 secs +1.969
13. J.Herbert, GBR Sauber-Petronas C17 1m 20,650 secs +2.089
14. J.Trulli, ITA Prost-Peugeot AP01 1m 20,709 secs +2.148
15. O.Panis, FRA Prost-Peugeot AP01 1m 21,048 secs +2.487
16. M.Salo, FIN Arrows A19 1m 21,120 secs +2.559
17. P.Diniz, BRA Arrows A19 1m 21,258 secs +2.697
18. J.Verstappen NED Stewart-Ford SF2 1m 21,501 secs +2.940
19. T.Takagi, JPN Tyrrell-Ford 026, 1m 21,525 secs +2.964
20. S.Nakano, JPN Minardi-Ford M198 1m 22,078 secs +3.517
21. E.Tuero, ARG Minardi-Ford M198 1m 22,146 secs +3.585
22. R.Rosset, BRA Tyrrell-Ford 026 1m 22,822 secs +4.261
107% time: 1m 24,060
All timing is unofficial