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119 wins - 41 double-wins


Monza, September 13, 1998

Great win for the Scuderia
Bad start, but an excellent pull up
Bad luck for Häkkinen
Results

Great win for the Scuderia

Ferrari has achieved what seemed to be almost impossible: A win in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The fast track in the royal park had been considered as predestinate for a win of the McLaren-Mercedes, especially after their double win at Hockenheim.


The double win of the Scuderia Ferrari did now prove that the Italians have pulled up to McLaren in technical aspects. Furthermore, Michael Schumacher did prove once again as the best driver in the world.

Bad start, but an excellent pull up

It did not look that good for Ferrari after the start: Schumacher, who had been 1st on the grid (1:25,289), had been overtaken immediately by the two McLarens, his teammate Eddie Irvine and Jacques Villeneuve.


The current worldchampion and Irvine were no real obstacles for Schumacher, who was able to pass them very soon. But then, the German got stuck close behind the two McLarens. Until lap 17, when Coulthard's engine blew up. Mika Häkkinen slowed down for a moment due to the smoke cloud caused by his teammate's car and was overtaken by Schumacher immediately.

Bad luck for Häkkinen

Mika Häkkinen tried hard to keep up with the Ferrari's pace, and in the 47th of 53 laps, the Fin made a mistake which lead to a multiple spin. He was able to get his car back on the track, but a minor damage forced Häkkinen to slow down. The unlucky McLaren pilot was then passed by Eddie Irvine and Ralf Schumacher, and the Ferraristi could celebrate their first double win at Monza after exactly ten years.



Thanks to this great win, Michael Schumacher does now equal Häkkinen in the championship ranking. Both show a score of 80 points. The two final heats at the Nürburgring and Suzuka will be most exciting.