1998 Italian Grand Prix

The 1998 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Monza on September 13, 1998. The race was won by Michael Schumacher. This was also the last win for tyre manufacturer Goodyear in Formula One.

It was a dramatic race, Häkkinen got a blinding start pushing his way past both Ferraris on the front row, at same time it was a dreadful start for Michael Schumacher who fell down to 5th, soon after he passed Villeneuve for 4th then Irvine for 3rd.

Häkkinen seemed to be struggling soon after and he waved his team mate Coulthard through, but soon after Coulthard's engine blew and seconds later Schumacher, who had caught Häkkinen, passed the Finn when Häkkinen ran wide due to the smoke from Coulthard's engine.

Villeneuve running very low downforce soon spun out of the race, and Häkkinen started catching Schumacher again. Häkkinen was just three seconds behind with a handuful of laps remaining, but then his brakes failed, sending him into a wild spin at the Ascari chicane. He was able to keep his engine running and kept going, at the next corner he ran off track again and Irvine reeled him in and took 2nd off him. Soon after Ralf Schumacher caught and over took Häkkinen who was able to limp home in 4th.

It was jubliant scenes for the Italian crowd as Michael Schumacher came home first and his Ferrari team mate Eddie Irvine took second with Ralf Schumacher 3rd, meaning the Jordan team had finished on all three podium places in two races.

Michael Schumacher was now level on points with Mika Häkkinen going into the Nürburgring, the penultimate round.

Standings after Grand Prix

 * Drivers' Championship standings


 * Constructors'         Championship standings


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