Race report: Hill made a good start and ...

Published on 23 September 1996 by Verstappen Info Page

Race report:

Hill made a good start and took the lead followed by Alesi, Schumacher and Villeneuve, who fell back tho fourth position. Hill was going very well and created a gap of over 11 seconds to Alesi who was second. Villeneuve overtook Schumacher in lap 16 on the straight line. A splendid action knowing that Lavaggi was driving in front of them.

Hill, Villeneuve and Schumacher made an early pit stop, Alesi stays on the track on first position. He drops back to fourth position after his pitstop, 5 laps later. Villeneuve is closing the gap to Hill but is not able to overtake him. It will take up to lap 42 until Barrichello is the first driver that retires due to a spin. In total only four drivers had to retire.
The last pitstop was first made by Hill, two laps later followed by Villeneuve who gained just enough time to overtake Hill. In the last part of the race he is able to create a gap to Hill of almost 20 seconds. Winner Villeneuve, second Hill and third Schumacher. For the complete results see Portugal Grand Prix Results.

It was a disappointing weekend for Jos. During the race he was able to overtake Frentzen in the first lap, but had to switch position again later on in the race. The pitstops worked quite well, however in lap 47 when he was in position 13, just before his last pitstop his engine blew up, the second that weekend.