Saturday September 11th, 1999
Frentzen on target
Heinz-Harald Frentzen's predictions of a front row place or perhaps even the pole for the Italian Grand Prix looked to be right on target by the end of the final free practice session, the German lapping his Jordan almost three tenth's faster than the two McLaren-Mercedes to set the fastest time of the session. "The car is very strong here. I just hope I can get a good clear lap during the qualifying session. If the McLaren's were not running a lot of fuel, pole is definitely possible." says the German.
Damon Hill was back in eighth spot, eighth tenth's off his team-mate's fastest time, Hill not as at ease with the handling of his car as Frentzen, while Hill ran into the back of Frentzen and damaged the front wing just before the end of the session when he tried fresh tyre.
Can McLaren take the pole
Mika Hakkinen looks like having the toughest qualifying session of the season in Monza if he is to take his 11th pole position of the year this afternoon. David Coulthard set the second fastest time of the session ahead of Hakkinen who, unlike Coulthard, did not run a fresh set of tyres at the end.
Ferrari struggling at the chicanes
A quick time at Monza means running across the kerbs at the three chicanes, a task which is giving both the Ferrari drivers a difficult time. Mika Salo, tenth quickest this morning tried more downforce on his car's set-up and was quicker than Irvine (12th) who tried a change of weight distribution on his car to little effect.
Zanardi on the pace
Alex Zanardi set the quickest time of the two Williams drivers this morning, the Italian a lot happier with his car of late, his team-mate Ralf Schumacher seventh fastest having not used fresh tyres at the end like Zanardi. "The cars are quite good, but we could use another 50 hp," said Patrick Head.
Trulli still well up for Prost
Jarno Trulli continued fine-tuning his Prost after setting a strong time yesterday, the Italian fifth fastest this morning. His team-mate Olivier Panis was back in 11th place after spinning off into a gravel trap at Lesmo.
In brief...
Rubens Barrichello was sixth quickest, the Brazilian delighted with his team who managed an engine change in a little over an hour. Johnny Herbert was back in ninth spot, the Englishman having problems at the chicanes which the team reckoned they could improve for qualifying. Both Benetton drivers went off during the session, Wurz stopping after he stalled. Fisichella was further delayed by a leaking radiator. Neither were happy with their car's handling or grip level which they complained was not consistent. Both BAR drivers also went off, Villeneuve after taking 13th fastest time, Zonta back in 20th place, both stuck out on the circuit. Takagi blew the engine in his Arrows.
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:23.142 249.838 kmph
2. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes 1:23.412 + 0.270
3. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 1:23.482 + 0.340
4. Zanardi Williams Supertec 1:23.721 + 0.579
5. Trulli Prost Peugeot 1:23.833 + 0.691
6. Barrichello Stewart Ford 1:23.837 + 0.695
7. R.Schumacher Williams Supertec 1:23.863 + 0.721
8. Hill Jordan Mugen-Honda 1:23.921 + 0.779
9. Herbert Stewart Ford 1:23.971 + 0.829
10. Salo Ferrari 1:24.091 + 0.949
11. Panis Prost Peugeot 1:24.240 + 1.098
12. Irvine Ferrari 1:24.330 + 1.188
13. Villeneuve BAR Supertec 1:24.412 + 1.270
14. Wurz Benetton Supertec 1:24.576 + 1.434
15. Diniz Sauber Petronas 1:24.739 + 1.597
16. Alesi Sauber Petronas 1:24.770 + 1.628
17. Fisichella Benetton Supertec 1:24.995 + 1.853
18. Gene Minardi Ford 1:25.595 + 2.453
19. Badoer Minardi Ford 1:25.605 + 2.463
20. Zonta BAR Supertec 1:25.761 + 2.619
21. de la Rosa Arrows TWR 1:26.617 + 3.475
22. Takagi Arrows TWR 1:26.631 + 3.489
All Timing Unofficial