Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve AND ...

Published on 11 July 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve AND Jos Verstappen were the stars of the qualification for the British Grand Prix. Mika because of his pole with 1.23.271, both Michael and Jacques because they beat Coulthard with the McLaren and Jos Verstappen because he defeated in only his second Grand Prix for Stewart his teammate Rubens Barrichello, a widely appreciated driver. It were exciting moments for Jos: when he had finished his 12 laps, Rubens could still make one fast lap, but unfortunately for him Rubens didn't make it, but only with 42 thousands of a second behind Jos. Jos was 17th and Rubens 18th. Jacky Stewart can be satisfied: this was what Jan Magnussen never succeeded this season.

Jos afterwards: "Ofcourse I am satisfied with the fact that I am faster than Rubens but I am not satisfied with our overall position. The car still has problems with understeer at the front wheel suspension. The car has improved throughout the day but we are still a long way off from where we want to be. Unfortunately due to its layout, Silverstone is a track which highlights any problems you have with handling. Now all I can hope for is a good race tomorrow and if it rains, well who knows?"

In the meantime also the fight for the pole became more exciting. In the beginning it seemed as no one could beat Hakkinen, but in his third attempt Michael Schumacher approached to 0,4 seconds. In his last run, just before the end of the qualification it seemed as he would beat Hakkinen: he set the fastest time in the first intermediate, but then made a driving mistake in the second section and ruined his fast lap. Jacques Villeneuve did an excellent qualification with a very fast third time, 0.2 seconds faster than David Coulthard. Coulthard must have had problems, because his fourth position was beneath his level. Also remarkable, but in negative sense, were the 11th and 12th positions of the Benettons, who can't reach the level of the beginning of the season anymore.

For a complete overview of all times you can take a look at our season page.