1999 Malaysian Grand Prix

The 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix (formally the I Petronas Malayasian Grand Prix) was a Formula One race held on October 17, 1999 at the Sepang International Circuit near Sepang, Malaysia. It was the fifteenth race of the 1999 Formula One season. The race, contested over 56 laps, was won by Eddie Irvine driving a Ferrari car from a second position start. Michael Schumacher, who started from pole position, finished second with Mika Häkkinen finishing third driving for McLaren.

Michael Schumacher returned to Formula One having recovered from his broken leg, and replaced Mika Salo at Ferrari. The German took pole position by nearly a second, and on lap four of the race slowed and allowed his team mate Eddie Irvine to pass him. Later on, after all pit stops had been completed, Schumacher allowed Irvine to pass again, which meant that Irvine went on to win the race. Immediately after the race the two Ferraris were disqualified due to an infringement on their bargeboards. This meant that Mika Häkkinen was effectively handed the championship by default. However, Ferrari appealed against the FIA's decision in court and both drivers were subsequently reinstated.

This was the first Malaysian Grand Prix since the 1995 Malaysian Grand Prix, a Formula Holden event. This was the first time the Grand Prix of Malaysia was a Formula 1 event.

As a consquence of the race, Irvine regained the lead of the Drivers' Championship over Häkkinen and extended the gap to four points with their nearest rival Heinz-Harald Frentzen out of the championship chase as he was nineteen points behind Irvine. In the constructors championship, Ferrari passed McLaren for the lead with a gap of four points.

Standings after Grand Prix

 * Drivers' Championship standings


 * Constructors'         Championship standings


 * Note:           Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.