Monaco GP Bridgestone race notes

Monte Carlo, May 16 1999 1999 MONACO GRAND PRIX -- RACE

Schumacher is majestic at Monaco

Leading every one of the race's gruelling 78 laps, Michael Schumacher won his fourth Monaco GP this afternoon. Germany's two times world champion overwhelmed the opposition as he led his team mate Eddie Irvine to a hugely popular Ferrari 1-2 result through the streets of the Principality. With Mika Hakkinen's McLaren relegated to a distant 3rd place today, Schumacher has increased his lead in the 1999 drivers' world championship, which he now leads with 26 points to Irvine's 18. With 44 points, Ferrari has an even more impressive lead over McLaren's 20 points in the constructors' championship. The race was, in effect, won in the dash to the first corner, where Schumacher scrambled ahead of Hakkinen's pole position McLaren, while Irvine did exactly the same to Coulthard. Ferrari underlined its superiority by choosing different pit stop strategies for its drivers. Irvine was finally able to pass Hakkinen after the Finn lost time in a slide down the escape road at the oil-soaked Mirabeau corner.

Yoshihiko Ichikawa, Bridgestone Motorsport Technical Manager:

"The next pre-Grand Prix test will take place later this week on the Montemelo circuit in Barcelona. It is planned to give the teams a final opportunity to prepare their cars for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 30. All the teams testing this week will be able to evaluate the Medium and Soft compound which is to be used in the Spanish Grand Prix."

Ross Brawn, Technical Director, Ferrari Grand Prix:

"After his terrific start, Michael's strategy today was a simple matter of consolidating his position. For Eddie, after Coulthard's McLaren had been retired, there was nothing to lose in terms of trying a different strategy. Eddie was able to put enough pressure on Hakkinen to force him into making a mistake, which helped us to make sure of 2nd place. Although this has been a fantastic start to the season for us, we have no intention of getting complacent. The balance of competitiveness between our car and the McLaren will swing depending on the type of circuit and the level of development. Everyone at Ferrari knows that we have to work even harder to stay ahead. The three-day test at Barcelona this week will be important. We will be pushing very hard."

Rocco Benetton, Chief Executive, Mild Seven Benetton Playlife: "Today's result was terrific for our team! Making the right choice of tyre was also fundamental to bringing us such an encouraging performance. We preferred to run on the Soft compound rather than the Extra Soft because we wanted to be sure of durability throughout the race. However the Extra Soft could have given us a better qualifying position. I would also like to say how nice it was to see the two Italian teams finishing in the points today."

TEMPERATURES                AIR                TRACK                WEATHER 
Morning                        22C-22C                24C-26C                Sunny - dry        
Afternoon                25C-23C                42C-37C                Sunny -- dry