Australian GP qualifying report

Montermini was out first, and set the early "pace" of 1m43. Rather slow. Rosset & Katayama joined in the fun to top the time sheets. Then Schumacher came and spoiled the fun, setting a 1m33.288. From Pole to DNQ in 5 minutes..... Hill joined in the fun, and set a 1m33.739 - not good enough for pole.

Schumacher Hill Villeneuve Katayama Fisichella Rosset Verstappen Salo Herbert Montermini (DNQ) Berger (DNQ) Badoer (DNQ)

The Red flag was then put out for Fisichella spinning off the track. When the session restarted, Irvine set a 1m35.021, whilst Coulthard joined Fisichella in sympathy. Hill then set a 1m33.223 - good enough for pole. Villeneuve a 1m37.664 due to traffic, and Alesi a 1m34.525, then 1m34.526!

Hill Schumacher Villeneuve Alesi Barrichello Irvine Berger Salo Verstappen Hakkinen Katayama Fisichella Montermini Badoer

The Forti of Badoer decided to chop across Alesi. Meanwhile at the thick end of the grid, Schumacher set a 1m33.125 and took pole. At this time we had Badoer, Montermini, Herbert and Coulthard stuck in the 107% zone.....

Hill, meanwhile, set pole with 1m32.724, only for Villeneuve to come along and better it with a 1m32.371 and keep it. Now in the 107% zone were a lonely Badoer and Montermini whose 12 laps seemed to take the whole session..... Then in the closing minute Irvine upset the Ferrari applecart with a 1m32.889 to knock Schumacher from 3rd to 4th.

Final Grid Villeneuve Hill Irvine Schumacher Hakkinen Alesi Berger Barrichello Frentzen Salo Panis Verstappen Coulthard Herbert Katayama Fisichella Lamy Rosset Brundle Diniz Badoer (DNQ) Montermini (DNQ)

-- Stephen M Baines

"[The Autosport sticker] started to peel off in the middle of Eau Rouge and it distracted me. In fact it was the first thing to hit the barrier" Tiff Needell - Jaguar XJR-15 Challenge - Interview with Autosport

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