1999 Malaysian Grand Prix

The 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the I Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, was the fifteenth and penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, on the 17 October 1999.'Malaysian GP, 1999', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr645.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019) The race, which was the first ever Malaysian Grand Prix to be staged, would see Eddie Irvine claim victory, after he and teammate Michael Schumacher were initially disqualified from the results.
The Malaysian Grand Prix would prove to be popular addition to the F1 calendar in 1999, with a new circuit based near Sepang designed by Hermann Tilke created specifically for F1. The inaugural Malaysian race would also mark the return of Michael Schumacher to the field for , the German ace having been absent since breaking his leg at the British Grand Prix.
Schumacher would show that he had fully recovered from his accident during qualifying, claiming a stunningly quick pole position. Indeed, title pretending teammate Irvine was almost a full second off in second, while Mika Häkkinen, Championship leader, could only muster fourth behind his teammate David Coulthard.
Schumacher duly aced his start to claim an early lead, while Irvine managed to fend off both McLarens to secure second. The top four were then chased by Rubens Barrichello, with the rest of the field making it through the first corner without issue.
The two Ferraris quickly built a small lead at the head of the field, before Schumacher did the unthinkable. Indeed, on lap four the German ace moved aside to allow teammate Irvine pass for the lead, before immediately slamming the door in Coulthard's face.
Irvine quickly sprinted clear, with Schumacher deliberately driving slowly to allow the Ulsterman to escape. Coulthard, however, was in no mood to sit back and let the German ruin his race, and duly barged his way past the Ferrari on lap five to chase Irvine.
Yet, Coulthard would be unable to catch the #4 Ferrari, for his McLaren would fail him on lap fifteen after losing fuel pressure. Schumacher therefore moved back into second, although he would continue to block Häkkinen's half-hearted attempts to pass.
Schumacher kept up his delaying tactics through to the first pitstops, with McLaren trying an ambitious fuel strategy to get Häkkinen ahead. Unfortunately for them even half-filling Häkkinen's tank did not work, for the #1 McLaren would get caught behind a backmarker on his out-lap, and hence allow Schumacher to make a full stop and remain ahead.
Once again the German would drive within himself to keep Häkkinen at bay, while Irvine's lead grew to 20 seconds. That gave Ferrari the option to pit the Brit and give him fresh tyres and fuel, which they duly took believing that Häkkinen had to stop again.
When Häkkinen did come in again the Finn's fight was over, with Schumacher, on a one-stop, once again moving aside to allow Irvine through. Häkkinen, meanwhile, would quickly deal with Johnny Herbert, who had moved ahead of him as a result of his stop, before trying to get back on terms with Schumacher.
Yet, it was not to be for the Finn, for Schumacher remained tucked under Irvine's wing for the rest of race, trailing the Brit by a second as they crossed the line. Häkkinen crossed the line in third ahead of Herbert, Rubens Barrichello and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, before post-race scrutineering played out.
Post-race inspections of the Ferraris showed that the two scarlet cars were using illegal bargeboards, and were therefore disqualified from the results. Ferrari appealed and given an FIA Court of Appeal date, which duly ruled in favour of the Scuderia in the week ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
As such, Irvine was reinstated as the race winner ahead of Schumacher, and hence headed to the finale with a four point lead over Häkkinen.
==Background==
Mika Häkkinen had somehow managed to extend his Championship lead after the chaotic European Grand Prix, leaving the Nürburgring with a two point advantage. Eddie Irvine remained his closest challenger despite having failed to score, with a similar story ensuring that Heinz-Harald Frentzen had also lost ground in third. Indeed, the German, as well as Häkkinen's teammate David Coulthard would slip out of the fight if they failed to finish ahead of the Finn and in the points in Malaysia.
In the Constructors Championship had eeked out their lead, leaving Germany with an eight point advantage. That meant that the Anglo-German squad could win the Championship in Malaysia if they out-scored second placed by eight points, while the Scuderia would likely have to out-score McLaren to keep their title hopes alive. Behind, were guaranteed third ahead of , while had secured fifth.
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entreat 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Mika Häkkinen 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/14 	 	FO110H 3.0 V10 	
2 	David Coulthard 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/14 	 	FO110H 3.0 V10 	
3 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F399 	 	048 3.0 V10 	
4 	Eddie Irvine 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F399 	 	048 3.0 V10 	
5 	Alex Zanardi 	Winfield Williams 	 	FW21 	 	FB01 3.0 V10 	
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	Winfield Williams 	 	FW21 	 	FB01 3.0 V10 	
7 	Damon Hill 	Benson & Hedges Jordan 	 	199 	 	MF-301 HD 3.0 V10 	
8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Benson & Hedges Jordan 	 	199 	 	MF-301 HD 3.0 V10 	
9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	Mild Seven Benetton Playlife 	 	B199 	 	FB01 3.0 V10 	
10 	Alexander Wurz 	Mild Seven Benetton Playlife 	 	B199 	 	FB01 3.0 V10 	
11 	Jean Alesi 	Red Bull Sauber Petronas 	 	C18 	 	SPE-03A 3.0 V10 	
12 	Pedro Diniz 	Red Bull Sauber Petronas 	 	C18 	 	SPE-03A 3.0 V10 	
14 	Pedro de la Rosa 	Repsol Arrows 	 	A20 	 	T2-F1 3.0 V10 	
15 	Tora Takagi 	Repsol Arrows 	 	A20 	 	T2-F1 3.0 V10 	
16 	Rubens Barrichello 	HSBC Stewart Ford 	 	SF3 	 	CR-1 3.0 V10 	
17 	Johnny Herbert 	HSBC Stewart Ford 	 	SF3 	 	CR-1 3.0 V10 	
18 	Olivier Panis 	Gauloises Prost Peugeot 	 	AP02 	 	A18 3.0 V10 	
19 	Jarno Trulli 	Gauloises Prost Peugeot 	 	AP02 	 	A18 3.0 V10 	
20 	Luca Badoer 	Fondmetal Minardi 	 	M01 	 	VJ Zetec-R 3.0 V10 	
21 	Marc Gené 	Fondmetal Minardi 	 	M01 	 	VJ Zetec-R 3.0 V10 	
22 	Jacques Villeneuve 	British American Racing 	 	01 	 	FB01 3.0 V10 	
23 	Ricardo Zonta 	British American Racing 	 	01 	 	FB01 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Qualifying Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	3 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:39.688 	— 	200.136 km/h
2 	4 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:40.635 	+0.947s 	198.253 km/h
3 	2 	David Coulthard 	 	1:40.806 	+1.118s 	197.917 km/h
4 	1 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:40.866 	+1.178s 	197.799 km/h
5 	17 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:40.937 	+1.249s 	197.660 km/h
6 	16 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:41.351 	+1.663s 	196.853 km/h
7 	10 	Alexander Wurz 	 	1:41.444 	+1.756s 	196.672 km/h
8 	6 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:41.558 	+1.870s 	196.451 km/h
9 	7 	Damon Hill 	 	1:42.050 	+2.362s 	195.504 km/h
10 	22 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:42.087 	+2.399s 	195.433 km/h
11 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:42.110 	+2.422s 	195.389 km/h
12 	18 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:42.208 	+2.520s 	195.202 km/h
13 	23 	Ricardo Zonta 	 	1:42.310 	+2.622s 	195.007 km/h
14 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:42.380 	+2.692s 	194.874 km/h
15 	11 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:42.522 	+2.834s 	194.604 km/h
16 	5 	Alex Zanardi 	 	1:42.885 	+3.197s 	193.917 km/h
17 	12 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:42.933 	+3.245s 	193.827 km/h
18 	19 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:42.948 	+3.260s 	193.799 km/h
19 	21 	Marc Gené 	 	1:43.563 	+3.875s 	192.648 km/h
20 	14 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:43.579 	+3.891s 	192.618 km/h
21 	20 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:44.321 	+4.633s 	191.248 km/h
22 	15 	Tora Takagi 	 	1:44.637 	+4.949s 	190.671 km/h
107% Time: 1:46.666 	107% Time: 1:46.666 	107% Time: 1:46.666 	107% Time: 1:46.666 	107% Time: 1:46.666 	107% Time: 1:46.666 	107% Time: 1:46.666
Source:'1999 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/701/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019)'Malaysia 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/701/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019)'Malaysia 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/701/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019)'Malaysia 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/701/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019)'Malaysia 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/701/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019)'Malaysia 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/701/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019)'Malaysia 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/701/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019)'Malaysia 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
** Trulli was unable to start the race after an engine failure on the formation lap.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	4 	Eddie Irvine 	 	56 	1:36:38.494 	2 	10
2 	3 	Michael Schumacher 	 	56 	+1.040s 	1 	6
3 	1 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	56 	+9.743s 	4 	4
4 	17 	Johnny Herbert 	 	56 	+17.538s 	5 	3
5 	16 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	56 	+32.296s 	6 	2
6 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	56 	+34.884s 	14 	1
7 	11 	Jean Alesi 	 	56 	+54.408s 	15 	
8 	10 	Alexander Wurz 	 	56 	+1:00.934 	7 	
9 	21 	Marc Gené 	 	55 	+1 Lap 	19 	
10 	5 	Alex Zanardi 	 	55 	+1 Lap 	16 	
11 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	52 	+4 Laps 	11 	
Ret 	22 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	48 	Hydraulics 	10 	
Ret 	12 	Pedro Diniz 	 	44 	Spin 	17 	
Ret 	14 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	30 	Engine 	20 	
Ret 	20 	Luca Badoer 	 	15 	Spin 	21 	
Ret 	2 	David Coulthard 	 	14 	Fuel pressure 	3 	
Ret 	6 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	7 	Spin 	8 	
Ret 	15 	Tora Takagi 	 	7 	Transmission 	22 	
Ret 	23 	Ricardo Zonta 	 	6 	Engine 	13 	
Ret 	18 	Olivier Panis 	 	5 	Engine 	12 	
Ret 	7 	Damon Hill 	 	0 	Collision 	9 	
DNS* 	19 	Jarno Trulli 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Trulli was unable to start the race after an engine failure on the formation lap.
==Milestones==
* First Malaysian Grand Prix to be staged.
* Fourth and final victory for Eddie Irvine.'15. Malaysia 1999', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/malaisie.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
* scored their 125th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Michael Schumacher claimed his 70th podium finish.
* Schumacher recorded the 25th fastest lap to be set using Bridgestone tyres.'1999 Malaysian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1999&gp=Malaysian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
* Final points finish for Johnny Herbert.
* Rubens Barrichello scored the final points for as a constructor.
==Standings==
Thanks to the efforts of Michael Schumacher it was Eddie Irvine who left Sepang at the head of the Championship, overhauling a two point deficit to claim a four point lead. Mika Häkkinen hence headed into the finale in Japan on the back foot, with the title likely to come down to who won the race. Behind, Heinz-Harald Frentzen had slipped out of the fight, and would instead duel with David Coulthard to claim third.
 moved back to the top of the Constructors Championship as a result of Schumacher's return, with the Scuderia leaving Malaysia on 118 points. had made way for them, slipping four behind, with the pair set to duel for the crown at the finale. Behind, had already been credited with third in the Championship, while had moved ahead of .
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Eddie Irvine 	70 	1
2 	Mika Häkkinen 	66 	1
3 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	51 	
4 	David Coulthard 	48 	
5 	Michael Schumacher 	38 	1
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	33 	1
7 	Rubens Barrichello 	21 	
8 	Johnny Herbert 	15 	1
9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	13 	1
10 	Mika Salo 	10 	
11 	Jarno Trulli 	7 	
12 	Damon Hill 	7 	
13 	Alexander Wurz 	3 	
14 	Pedro Diniz 	3 	
15 	Olivier Panis 	2 	
16 	Marc Gené 	1 	
17 	Jean Alesi 	1 	
18 	Pedro de la Rosa 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	118 	1
2 	 	114 	1
3 	 	58 	
4 	 	36 	1
5 	 	33 	1
6 	 	16 	
7 	 	9 	
8 	 	4 	
9 	 	1 	
10 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1999 Grands Prix
Category:Malaysian Grand Prix