Race Mika Häkkinen took an instant lead from
David Coulthard and
Michael Schumacher after the start.
Eddie Irvine was ahead of
Rubens Barrichello,
Heinz-Harald Frentzen,
Ralf Schumacher,
Damon Hill and
Jean Alesi.
Jacques Villeneuve was left stranded on the grid after a
clutch problem. In an unforced error, Häkkinen crashed out at the final
Traguardo chicane on lap 17, allowing David Coulthard into the lead ahead of Michael Schumacher. Meanwhile, Schumacher's teammate Irvine had settled in third place following Häkkinen's retirement. He was forced to retire from the race himself when his Ferrari engine expired on lap 47. Frentzen span off shortly afterwards on the oil left by Irvine's Ferrari. This allowed Hill to inherit third place, but he made his final stop in a three stop strategy two laps later. Barrichello was consequently promoted to third place which he held until the end of the race ahead of Hill.
Johnny Herbert looked set to finish in fifth place until his Ford engine expired coming out of the Villeneuve chicane with three laps remaining.
Alessandro Zanardi spun off shortly afterwards on the fluid spread by Herbert's stricken Stewart-Ford, allowing
Giancarlo Fisichella and Alesi to complete the top six. == Classification ==