1998 Hungarian Grand Prix

Lore & Background

The 77-lap race was won by German driver Michael Schumacher, driving a Ferrari, after he started from third position. Drivers' Championship leader, Finn Mika Häkkinen, took pole position in his McLaren-Mercedes and led the first 46 laps. Under guidance from Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, Schumacher opted to take three pit stops rather than the two favoured by the McLarens, and took the lead after his second stop, before extending his advantage such that he could retain it after his third stop. Schumacher went on to win by 9.4 seconds from Briton David Coulthard in the other McLaren-Mercedes, with Canadian Jacques Villeneuve third in a Williams-Mecachrome. With Häkkinen dropping to sixth after shock absorber problems in the closing stages of the race, Schumacher cut the Finn's championship lead to seven points with four races remaining.

In Their Own Story

Heat waves distorted the horizon at Turn 13 as the MP4-13’s Mercedes V10s roared through the humid valley. Mika felt every vibration of the chassis through his gloves; the machine was an extension of his will, yet fragile under the sun. Behind him, Ferrari's red charge pressed relentlessly, but ahead lay only the open track and a ticking clock on tire life. He didn't need to push—he needed to survive. Lap by lap, he stretched the rubber until degradation became a distant memory for his rivals.

Reader's Guide

In October 1998, the organisers of the race were fined US$1 million, with US$750,000 of it suspended, due to a track invasion. As there was no repeat of this invasion in the following two years, the fine was US$250,000.

Did You Know?

• Michael Schumacher won the race from third on the grid.
• Mika Häkkinen led the first 46 laps but finished sixth due to shock absorber problems.
• Schumacher used a three-stop strategy, while the McLarens used two stops.
• The race organisers were fined US$250,000 after a track invasion.