Spain Mercedes Race Report

Mercedes-Benz Finishes One-Two At Formula One's Spanish Grand Prix

MONTVALE, N.J. (June 2, 1999) -- Defending Formula One World Champion Mika Hakkinen and his West McLaren Mercedes teammate David Coulthard completed a one-two finish for Mercedes-Benz at the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Cataluyna in Barcelona May 30.

Hakkinen, as he has done at every race this year, started from the pole position, the 15th pole of his career. Meanwhile, Coulthard quickly moved from fourth on the grid to second behind Hakkinen after the start. The pair were not seriously challenged throughout the race.

The victory was the 11th of Hakkinen's career, and moved him to second in the World Driver's Championship, six points behind Michael Schumacher, who finished third. Schumacher's teammate, Eddie Irvine, who finished fourth, is now third in points with 21. Coulthard is fifth with 12 points. He is only one point behind fourth-place driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

"I was pleased with my start," said Hakkinen. "Once I was in front, it was only a matter of concentration to the finish. It's great to be on top of the podium again and I really enjoyed it."

Coulthard reported that he had a slight handling problem on his second set of tires, but the condition improved after an adjustment was made during his second refueling stop. "The handling was much better on the final set and I was very satisfied to have finished second," he said.

Norbert Haug, the Mercedes-Benz motorsport director, was pleased with Mercedes' first one-two finish of the 1999 season. "This was a very special result for the whole team, because everything was done in the best possible way. The strategy was right and the speed and the discipline of both Mika and David was excellent. And we managed to get both cars ahead of the Ferraris. Big thanks go to all the crew members who worked all day and all night since testing began at the start of the season to make the defense of both World Championship titles possible."

The season will continue with the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal June 13.