F1-SEASON 1998

Australian GP, Melbourne March 8th
ALL THE HELL BROKE LOOSE
 
The two McLarens had been setting up the pace at Melbourne. At the race they lapped all the other cars. But the way how the team fixed the race results didn't please FIA, who decided to forbid team orders from that on. And what had actually happened? David Coulthard was leading the race near its end, but then let his team mate Mika Häkkinen pass him. And this was caused by a pre-race agreement by McLaren, which said that whoever got to the first corner first would then remain unchallenged by his team mate for the rest of the race. So Mika had took his second win in a row... again because of a team order!
 
Brazilian GP, Sao Paolo March 29th
FIRST REAL VICTORY
 
Finally in Brazil it happened: Häkkinen took his first 'real' victory. This time there wasn't any need for team orders, Mika ruled the whole weekend from the beginning to the end. David shadowed him to the second place.
 
Argentine GP, Buenos Aires April 12th
SPINNING THROUGHOUT THE RACE
 
David had taken pole at Argentina, but his race became nothing but victorious. First Michael Schumacher took the lead from him by hitting his car, then he spinned around the track with Jacques Villeneuve, and lastly he drove off the track when he was overtaking Jean Alesi. As a result of all this was just one point and sixth place in a race which Michael won.
 
GP of San Marino, Imola April 26th
PAIN GOES AWAY
 
The first - and unfortunately the last - win of the season for David! 
 
Spanish GP, Barcelona May 10th
ANOTHER ONE-TWO
 
Another weekend ruled by Häkkinen, David was way behind him...
 
GP of Monaco, Monte Carlo May 24th
BEGINNING OF THE END
 
David's four race long bad luck started at Monaco. He was driving at second place when his engine blew up.
 
Canadian GP, Montreal June 7th
LOSING AGAIN IN CANADA
 
Another race at Montreal, another leading position, another disappointment... When will DC get the win he well deserves in Canada?
 
French GP, Magny Cours June 28th
SOME GAS, PLEASE?!
 
Refuelling problems ruined DC's race at Magny-Cours. He had to come to the pits four times, and he managed to get only one point.
 
British GP, Silverstone July 12th
FIRST OR LAST?
 
Perhaps the most disappointing race of the 1998 season for DC. At his home race he drove off the wet track. The scandal of the race was how Michael took the win while he was sitting at the pits!
 
Austrian GP, A1-Ring July 26th
BEST RACE EVER?
 
DC's bad luck had lasted for four races. It seemed to go on also in Austria, where qualifying on a drying track went wrong - David was 14th. And the first lap of the race caused even more problems, when DC had to come to the pits to change his front wing. But he was saved by the safety car... David fought his way from last place to the second step of the podium.
 
German GP, Hockenheim August 2nd
HELPING MY MATE
 
On Saturday McLaren had informed that DC and Mika would be driving for the team also in 1999. And from that on David's job would be only to help Mika win the title. David had to prove that already at Hockenheim, where he was following Mika throughout the race less than one second behind. He wasn't allowed to pass him even near the end when a problem at Mika's car forced him to slow down. So the result was... another second place for David!
 
Hungarian GP, Hungaroring August 16th
BYE BYE, MR. LUCK
 
The team gave David the permission to pass Mika too late, and he couldn't catch Michael anymore. Second place again!
 
Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps August 30th
MULTIPLE MAYHEM
 
The most eventful race of the millennium? At least for DC! At first he caused the first corner pile-up by spinning off the wet track. Then at the second start's first lap he collided with Benetton's Alex Wurz. 'Luckily' DC was able to continue his race. Then, halfway through, Michael who was leading, tried to lap DC but managed only to wreck his car. Furious Michael shouted at the pits that DC had tried to kill him. The debate of Spa's happenings still went on at Monza. At Spa David spent five laps at the pits and rejoined the race again. Finally he was seventh. You surely could write a book about Spa 98!
 
Italian GP, Monza September 13th
NOT AGAIN!
 
David was leading the race at Monza when his engine failed. Unluckily enough, the smoke coming from DC's engine also helped Michael to get pass Mika.
 
GP of Luxembourg, Nürburgring September 27th
WIN BY KNOCK OUT
 
Mika took a win in pure style before Michael and David.
 
Japanese GP, Suzuka November 1st
FLYING FINN FIRST AT FINISH

Michael had to start the last race of the season from the last place because his engine stalled at the second start. Michael started a heavy pursuit but managed only to explode his tyre. Mika took a win and became the world champion. With David's third place McLaren took also the constructor's title.