Monaco GP Jordan race notes

Schuey heads Ferrari 1-2 in Monte Carlo

Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine brought Ferrari a stunning 1-2 victory in today's Monaco Grand Prix, the scarlet cars dominating arch rivals McLaren with Benson and Hedges Jordan star Heinz-Harald Frentzen finishing a strong fourth behind World Champion Mike Hakkinen. In a race that was generally processional, Schumacher overtook pole sitter Hakkinen at the start and was never headed thereafter. He made one pit stop, as did the majority of drivers, and admitted afterwards that this was one race which suited his car.

"Everything was fine, I made a good start and I suppose this circuit, more than some others, suits our car. It is very satisfying to win here and open up the gap to McLaren. Barcelona in two weeks time will be more difficult for us, but we have an intensive testing programme planned before then."

Eddie Irvine drove his heart out to finish a strong second, overhauling David Coulthard's McLaren and Mika Hakkinen's McLaren in the process. In spite of running a two stop strategy he benefitted from Coulthard's McLaren retiring after 31 laps, and when Hakkinen lost a considerable amount of time following an off at Mirabeau hairpin, Irvine was able to close in for second place.

It was another bad day for McLaren, the team's hopes dashed by mechanical failure on Coulthard's car and what appeared to be brake problems on Hakkinen's. Heinz-Harald Frentzen was delighted with a very strong fourth place for Benson and Hedges Jordan, though his team mate Damon Hill was an early departure following a collision with Ralf Schumacher's Williams after 3 laps. Hill admitted it was his fault, and paid the ultimate price. It was the end of a frustrating weekend for the British star.

Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz finished 5th and 6th, scoring three important points for Benetton. Jarno Trulli finished 7th for Prost, team mate Olivier Panis yet another retirement, while Alex Zanardi completed the list of finishers, 2 laps down in his Williams. With Ralf Schumacher retiring, it was a miserable weekend for the Williams team and little reward for all their efforts. Rubens Barrichello's Stewart did not finish the race, crashing quite heavily in the Swimming Pool section 7 laps from home, but he was classified 9th. Once again his Stewart-Ford showed great pace, but the result did not come. He was overtaken during the race by the storming Frentzen's Jordan, but a certain 5th place was dashed by the spectacular shunt.

Neither BAR nor Minardi managed to finish the race, these the only two team yet to score a World Championship point, while Johnny Herbert's Stewart retired with broken rear suspension - possibly as the result of clipping a barrier.