1999 Belgian Grand Prix

The 1999 Belgian Grand Prix, otherwise known as the LVII Foster's Grand Prix de Belgique, was the twelfth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa, Belgium, on the 29 August 1999.'Belgian GP, 1999', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr642.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019) The race would see resist the temptation to swap their drivers late on, as David Coulthard claimed victory ahead of title pretending teammate Mika Häkkinen.
Häkkinen had, as ever, been the man to beat in qualifying, with the Finn securing his tenth pole position of the campaign. Coulthard duly lined-up in second, ahead of the two s, while Championship leader Eddie Irvine could only muster sixth behind Ralf Schumacher.
Raceday dawned dry and warm, a stark contrast to the horrendous conditions twelve months before that had proved the catalyst for the huge first lap accident. The two McLarens were in a league of their own, while Irvine barely on the pace of the Jordans.
Yet, when it came to the race itself it seemed as if Häkkinen had lost a bit of focus, for a poor start would gift Coulthard the chance to joust with his teammate for the lead into La Source. The Scot duly elbowed his way past, Häkkinen not expecting his teammate to fight to hard, with the Finn furious for being attacked by his wingman.
Regardless, the two McLarens quickly disappeared up the road from the rest of the field, in a race which proved rather tepid in spite of some early promise. Indeed, Irvine would find himself in an intense fight with Frentzen, the two s and Hill, although that group would quickly spread apart during the early stages.
The pit stops came and went without issue, with Häkkinen losing more time behind Ralf Schumacher, while Coulthard pitted without dropping out of the lead. Indeed, so lack lustre was the Finn's pace in the second half of the race that the McLaren crew signalled "Push" on his pitboard, although Häkkinen continued to lap a few tenths of a second slower than his teammate.
Likewise, there was very little action behind, with Frentzen able to keep Irvine at bay, while Schuamcher had dropped out of the fight having opted for a one-stop. Hill also lost time battling with Mika Salo in the second , who had already caused a stir by deliberately blocking Schumacher when the German was attempting to pass his teammate Irvine.
Out front, meanwhile, Coulthard would cruise across the line to claim victory, while an unusually angry Häkkinen claimed second, refusing to shake his teammate's hand. Frentzen was a distant third ahead of Irvine, while Schumacher and Hill secured the remaining points.
The results meant that Häkkinen moved into the lead of the Championship by a single point, while McLaren-Mercedes overhauled Ferrari in the Constructors.
==Background==
A fourth win of the season for Mika Häkkinen ensured that the Finnish ace left Hungary with his title hopes greatly enhanced, having carved into the gap between himself and the Championship leader. Indeed, Eddie Irvine had seen his advantage cut to just two points after his late relegation down the field, with the Ulsterman also beginning to show the strains of fighting for the title. Behind, David Coulthard had moved up into third ahead of Heinz-Harald Frentzen, bumping Michael Schumacher down to fifth.
In the Constructors Championship had delivered another strong blow to , with their one-two enhancing their tally to 90 points. Only Irvine's third place finish kept the Scuderia ahead, with Ferrari holding onto the remains of a four point lead over their Anglo-German rivals. Behind, were in an increasingly lonely third ahead of , while completed the top five.
===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 	Mika Salo 	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 	 	Zetec-R 3.0 V10 	
21 	Marc Gené 	Fondmetal Minardi 	 	M01 	 	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:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)
==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 	1 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:50.329 	— 	227.364 km/h
2 	2 	David Coulthard 	 	1:50.484 	+0.155s 	227.045 km/h
3 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:51.332 	+1.003s 	225.315 km/h
4 	7 	Damon Hill 	 	1:51.372 	+1.043s 	225.234 km/h
5 	6 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:51.414 	+1.085s 	225.149 km/h
6 	4 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:51.895 	+1.566s 	224.182 km/h
7 	16 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:51.974 	+1.645s 	224.023 km/h
8 	5 	Alex Zanardi 	 	1:52.014 	+1.685s 	223.943 km/h
9 	3 	Mika Salo 	 	1:52.124 	+1.795s 	223.724 km/h
10 	17 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:52.164 	+1.835s 	223.644 km/h
11 	22 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:52.235 	+1.906s 	223.502 km/h
12 	19 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:52.644 	+2.315s 	222.691 km/h
13 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:52.762 	+2.433s 	222.458 km/h
14 	23 	Ricardo Zonta 	 	1:52.840 	+2.511s 	222.304 km/h
15 	10 	Alexander Wurz 	 	1:52.847 	+2.518s 	222.290 km/h
16 	11 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:52.921 	+2.592s 	222.145 km/h
17 	18 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:53.148 	+2.819s 	221.699 km/h
18 	12 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:53.778 	+3.449s 	220.471 km/h
19 	15 	Tora Takagi 	 	1:54.099 	+3.770s 	219.851 km/h
20 	20 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:54.197 	+3.868s 	219.663 km/h
21 	21 	Marc Gené 	 	1:54.557 	+4.228s 	218.972 km/h
22 	14 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:54.579 	+4.250s 	218.930 km/h
107% Time: 1:58.052 	107% Time: 1:58.052 	107% Time: 1:58.052 	107% Time: 1:58.052 	107% Time: 1:58.052 	107% Time: 1:58.052 	107% Time: 1:58.052
Source:'1999 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/698/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019)'Belgium 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/698/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019)'Belgium 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/698/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019)'Belgium 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/698/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019)'Belgium 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/698/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019)'Belgium 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/698/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019)'Belgium 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'1999 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1999/races/698/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 28/08/2019)'Belgium 1999: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)
*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 	2 	David Coulthard 	 	44 	1:25:43.057 	2 	10
2 	1 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	44 	+10.469s 	1 	6
3 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	44 	+33.433s 	3 	4
4 	4 	Eddie Irvine 	 	44 	+44.948s 	6 	3
5 	6 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	44 	+48.067s 	5 	2
6 	7 	Damon Hill 	 	44 	+54.916s 	4 	1
7 	3 	Mika Salo 	 	44 	+56.249s 	9 	
8 	5 	Alex Zanardi 	 	44 	+1:07.022 	8 	
9 	11 	Jean Alesi 	 	44 	+1:13.848 	16 	
10 	16 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	44 	+1:20.742 	7 	
11 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	44 	+1:32.195 	13 	
12 	19 	Jarno Trulli 	 	44 	+1:36.154 	12 	
13 	18 	Olivier Panis 	 	44 	+1:41.543 	17 	
14 	10 	Alexander Wurz 	 	44 	+1:57.745 	15 	
15 	22 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	43 	+1 Lap 	11 	
16 	21 	Marc Gené 	 	43 	+1 Lap 	21 	
Ret 	14 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	35 	Transmission 	22 	
Ret 	20 	Luca Badoer 	 	33 	Suspension 	20 	
Ret 	23 	Ricardo Zonta 	 	33 	Gearbox 	14 	
Ret 	17 	Johnny Herbert 	 	27 	Brakes 	10 	
Ret 	12 	Pedro Diniz 	 	19 	Spin 	18 	
Ret 	15 	Tora Takagi 	 	0 	Clutch 	19 	
Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)	Source:'Belgium 1999: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 75th Grand Prix entry for Mika Salo.'1999 Belgian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1999&gp=Belgian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 28/08/2019)
* Twentieth pole position for Mika Häkkinen.'12. Belgium 1999', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1999/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 28/08/2019)
** Also the 25th pole for Bridgestone as a tyre supplier.
* Sixth career victory for David Coulthard.
** Also the 30th podium finish for the Scot.
* scored their 122nd win as a constructor.
** registered their 27th win as an engine supplier.
==Standings==
Mika Häkkinen moved to the top of the Championship with second place in Belgium, although the Finn believed he should have won had it not been for his teammate's barge at the start. Regardless, he would leave Spa with a one point advantage over former leader Eddie Irvine, who had minimised the damage to his title hopes by finishing fourth. Those two were thirteen clear of David Coulthard in third, with the Scot an outside shot for the crown alongside Heinz-Harald Frentzen, twenty behind in fourth.
In the Constructors Championship a second one-two for in as many races had carried them to the top of the pack, leaving Spa on 106 points. That translated into a nine point lead over , who were pushing lead driver Michael Schumacher to return as they battled for their first crown since . Behind, third placed were still mathematically in the hunt, although with 50 points between themselves and Ferrari their realistic hopes were non-existent.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Mika Häkkinen 	60 	1
2 	Eddie Irvine 	59 	1
3 	David Coulthard 	46 	
4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	40 	
5 	Michael Schumacher 	32 	
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	24 	
7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	13 	
8 	Rubens Barrichello 	12 	
9 	Damon Hill 	7 	1
10 	Mika Salo 	6 	1
11 	Alexander Wurz 	3 	
12 	Pedro Diniz 	3 	
13 	Johnny Herbert 	2 	
14 	Olivier Panis 	2 	
15 	Jarno Trulli 	1 	
16 	Pedro de la Rosa 	1 	
17 	Jean Alesi 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	106 	1
2 	 	97 	1
3 	 	47 	
4 	 	24 	
5 	 	16 	
6 	 	14 	
7 	 	4 	
8 	 	3 	
9 	 	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:Belgian Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Belgium