1999 Japanese Grand Prix

The 1999 Japanese Grand Prix, otherwise known as the XXV Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix (XXV フジテレビ日本グランプリ in Japanese), was the sixteenth and final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan, on the 31 October 1999.'Japanese GP, 1999', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr646.html, (Accessed 29/08/2019) The race would see Eddie Irvine and Mika Häkkinen duel for the title, having arrived in Japan just four points apart.
Michael Schumacher, Irvine's teammate, would claim pole position during qualifying, although Häkkinen delivered a crucial blow by securing second. Irvine, meanwhile, would only manage to secure fifth behind David Coulthard and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, meaning he would likely have to rely on Schumacher finishing ahead of the Finn.
Ultimately, however, Schumacher would not get the chance to keep Häkkinen behind, for the Finn aced his start and sprinted ahead of the German to claim the lead. Irvine, meanwhile, would manage ahead of both Coulthard and Frentzen off the grid, only to wind up in fourth behind a fast starting Olivier Panis.
Out front, Häkkinen would ease clear of Schumacher, with the German ace unable to match the Finn's out right pace. Behind, Irvine found himself hounded by Coulthard in his attempts to pass Panis, knowing that his title hopes relied on getting on terms with Häkkinen out front.
Yet, Irvine would only manage to claim third when Panis retired with an alternator failure, although he made no progress in catching Häkkinen nor Schumacher. Furthermore, the Brit would slip behind Coulthard during the first round of pit stsops, leaving Häkkinen on the verge of the title.
Indeed, Irvine would need a lot of good fortune to claim the crown, and fate seemed to be swinging his way when Coulthard spun into the wall on lap 34. The Scot would recover, however, and pit for a new nose, before rejoining the race a lap behind teammate Häkkinen.
Coulthard's influence on the race, and ultimately Championship, was made during this point, with the Scot allegedly holding Schumacher up for several laps when the German came to lap him. Indeed, the German ace lost several seconds to Häkkinen as Coulthard refused to let him pass, before the Scot's race was ended by a hydraulic failure. Schumacher would criticise Coulthard's actions after the race.
Deliberate or not the Scot's intervention ensured that Häkkinen had a big enough lead to make his second stop and retain a healthy lead. Schumacher, meanwhile, would spend the rest of the race slowly catching the Finn, while Irvine seemed to have given up hope in third.
Indeed, that was how the race would finish, with Häkkinen sweeping across the line to claim victory and the Championship, five seconds clear of Schumacher. Irvine appeared in third, over a minute and a half behind, and had lost the Championship by two points. Frentzen, meanwhile, would finish fourth to secure third in the Championship, with Ralf Schumacher and Jean Alesi scoring the final points of the season.
==Background==
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 .
===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 F1 Team 	 	A20 	 	T2-F1 3.0 V10 	
15 	Tora Takagi 	Repsol Arrows F1 Team 	 	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 Team 	 	M01 	 	VJM Zetec-R 3.0 V10 	
21 	Marc Gené 	Fondmetal Minardi Team 	 	M01 	 	VJM 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:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/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 	 	1:37.470 	— 	216.584 km/h
2 	1 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:37.820 	+0.350s 	215.809 km/h
3 	2 	David Coulthard 	 	1:38.239 	+0.769s 	214.888 km/h
4 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:38.696 	+1.226s 	213.893 km/h
5 	4 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:38.975 	+1.505s 	213.290 km/h
6 	18 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:39.623 	+2.153s 	211.903 km/h
7 	19 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:39.644 	+2.174s 	211.858 km/h
8 	17 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:39.706 	+2.236s 	211.726 km/h
9 	6 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:39.717 	+2.247s 	211.703 km/h
10 	11 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:39.721 	+2.251s 	211.695 km/h
11 	22 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:39.732 	+2.262s 	211.671 km/h
12 	7 	Damon Hill 	 	1:40.140 	+2.670s 	210.809 km/h
13 	16 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:40.140 	+2.670s 	210.809 km/h
14 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:40.261 	+2.791s 	210.554 km/h
15 	10 	Alexander Wurz 	 	1:40.303 	+2.833s 	210.466 km/h
16 	5 	Alex Zanardi 	 	1:40.403 	+2.933s 	210.257 km/h
17 	12 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:40.740 	+3.270s 	209.553 km/h
18 	23 	Ricardo Zonta 	 	1:40.861 	+3.391s 	209.302 km/h
19 	15 	Tora Takagi 	 	1:41.067 	+3.597s 	208.875 km/h
20 	21 	Marc Gené 	 	1:41.529 	+4.059s 	207.925 km/h
21 	14 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:41.708 	+4.238s 	207.559 km/h
22 	20 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:42.515 	+5.045s 	205.925 km/h
107% Time: 1:44.293 	107% Time: 1:44.293 	107% Time: 1:44.293 	107% Time: 1:44.293 	107% Time: 1:44.293 	107% Time: 1:44.293 	107% Time: 1:44.293
Source:' ', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), , (Accessed 12/08/2019)'Japan 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:' ', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), , (Accessed 12/08/2019)'Japan 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:' ', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), , (Accessed 12/08/2019)'Japan 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:' ', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), , (Accessed 12/08/2019)'Japan 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:' ', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), , (Accessed 12/08/2019)'Japan 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:' ', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), , (Accessed 12/08/2019)'Japan 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:' ', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), , (Accessed 12/08/2019)'Japan 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/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===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	53 	1:31:18.785 	2 	10
2 	3 	Michael Schumacher 	 	53 	+5.015s 	1 	6
3 	4 	Eddie Irvine 	 	53 	+1:35.688 	5 	4
4 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	53 	+1:38.635 	4 	3
5 	6 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	53 	+1:39.494 	9 	2
6 	11 	Jean Alesi 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	10 	1
7 	17 	Johnny Herbert 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	8 	
8 	16 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	13 	
9 	22 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	11 	
10 	10 	Alexander Wurz 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	15 	
11 	12 	Pedro Diniz 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	17 	
12 	23 	Ricardo Zonta 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	18 	
13 	14 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	21 	
14* 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	47 	Engine 	14 	
Ret 	15 	Tora Takagi 	 	43 	Gearbox 	19 	
Ret 	20 	Luca Badoer 	 	43 	Engine 	22 	
Ret 	2 	David Coulthard 	 	39 	Hydraulics 	3 	
Ret 	21 	Marc Gené 	 	31 	Gearbox 	20 	
Ret 	7 	Damon Hill 	 	21 	Spin 	12 	
Ret 	18 	Olivier Panis 	 	19 	Alternator 	6 	
Ret 	19 	Jarno Trulli 	 	3 	Engine 	7 	
Ret 	5 	Alex Zanardi 	 	0 	Electrical 	16 	
Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)	Source:'Japan 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Fisichella was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* Mika Häkkinen declared as the FIA Formula One World Championship Champion.
** Häkkinen became the first Finnish driver to claim a second World Championship.'16. Japan 1999', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/japon.aspx, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
* declared as the 1999 FIA Formula One World Championship for Constructors Champions.
** This was Ferrari's ninth Constructors crown and first since .
* Damon Hill made his 115th and final Grand Prix start.
* 49th and final Grand Prix for as a constructor.
* 41st and final start for Alex Zanardi.
* Tora Takagi made his sixteenth and final Grand Prix start.
* 500th race for a car using #1 as its race number.'1999 Japanese GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1999&gp=Japanese%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 29/08/2019)
* Häkkinen scored his fourteenth career victory.
* claimed their 123rd win as a constructor.
** claimed their 28th win as an engine supplier.
==Standings==
Mika Häkkinen would claim his second World Championship on the final day of the FIA Formula One World Championship, ending the campaign on 76 points. Eddie Irvine ended the season in the runner-up spot, two points behind Häkkinen, having lost the title on the final day. Behind, Heinz-Harald Frentzen completed the top three on 54 points, with David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher rounding out the top five.
In the Constructors Championship it was who claimed the 1999 FIA Formula One World Championship for Constructors crown, ending the season on 128 points. would hence end the season in second, four points off with 124 points, while were a distant third on 61. , meanwhile, ended their F1 stint in fourth on 36 points, one ahead of in fifth.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Mika Häkkinen 	76 	1
2 	Eddie Irvine 	74 	1
3 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	54 	
4 	David Coulthard 	48 	
5 	Michael Schumacher 	44 	
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	35 	
7 	Rubens Barrichello 	21 	
8 	Johnny Herbert 	15 	
9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	13 	
10 	Mika Salo 	10 	
11 	Jarno Trulli 	7 	
12 	Damon Hill 	7 	
13 	Alexander Wurz 	3 	
14 	Pedro Diniz 	3 	
15 	Jean Alesi 	2 	2
16 	Olivier Panis 	2 	1
17 	Marc Gené 	1 	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 	 	128 	
2 	 	124 	
3 	 	61 	
4 	 	36 	
5 	 	35 	
6 	 	16 	
7 	 	9 	
8 	 	5 	
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:Grand Prix articles
Category:1999 Grands Prix
Category:Japanese Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Japan