1999 Japanese Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Mika Häkkinen won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Racing Course to secure his second consecutive drivers’ championship. Michael Schumacher finished second and Eddie Irvine third, enough for Ferrari to claim its first constructors’ title since 1983.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Pole time	1:37.470
Fastest lap	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:41.319 on lap 31
First	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren
Second	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Third	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
29 October 1999	Practice 1	11:00
29 October 1999	Practice 2	13:00
30 October 1999	Practice 3	09:00
30 October 1999	Practice 4	10:15
30 October 1999	Qualifying	13:00
31 October 1999	Warm-up	09:30
31 October 1999	Race	14:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Eddie Irvine arrived at round 16 leading the 1999 F1 World Championship on 70 points, with Mika Häkkinen on 66. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 118 points.

Race entries

The season ended with the same twenty-two drivers who had raced in Malaysia. Damon Hill prepared for his final Grand Prix, while Stewart was also making its last appearance under that name before becoming Jaguar. Michael Schumacher remained alongside title contender Eddie Irvine at Ferrari.

Free Practice

Häkkinen led opening practice as McLaren evaluated revised front wings on a slippery circuit. Damon Hill‘s final Grand Prix weekend began badly when he spun into the gravel on his first flying lap. Giancarlo Fisichella stopped with hydraulic trouble, while Rubens Barrichello recovered from a trip through the gravel to continue his programme.

David Coulthard crashed in the afternoon after touching a kerb at the exit of the Esses, damaging the left side of his McLaren. Häkkinen retained the day’s fastest time without using fresh tyres. Rubens Barrichello and Alessandro Zanardi improved on new rubber, while Eddie Irvine worked with a heavier fuel load and continued searching for a better balance.

Friday Practice Classification — Combined

1999 Japanese Grand Prix opening-day practice, 29 October 1999

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	1:41.746	31
2	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.148s	19
3	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.469s	27
4	16	Rubens Barrichello	Stewart	+0.783s	34
5	5	Alessandro Zanardi	Williams	+0.972s	36
6	18	Olivier Panis	Prost	+1.179s	32
7	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+1.207s	27
8	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.301s	24
9	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+1.489s	30
10	4	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari	+1.629s	33
11	6	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.653s	27
12	10	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	+1.684s	33
13	11	Jean Alesi	Sauber	+1.739s	36
14	14	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	+1.853s	37
15	21	Marc Gene	Minardi	+1.906s	39
16	7	Damon Hill	Jordan	+1.974s	22
17	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	+2.030s	40
18	15	Toranosuke Takagi	Arrows	+2.058s	39
19	19	Jarno Trulli	Prost	+2.170s	33
20	17	Johnny Herbert	Stewart	+2.433s	29
21	12	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	+2.677s	32
22	20	Luca Badoer	Minardi	+3.797s	36

David Coulthard‘s mechanics had another difficult start on Saturday when his engine seized while being warmed up. They replaced it in time for practice, then changed a sensor during the break. Häkkinen set his best time early but still reported low-speed understeer. Toranosuke Takagi also required an engine change before returning for the second session.

Schumacher improved his Ferrari‘s setup and used fresh tyres late on to finish fastest. Eddie Irvine remained uncomfortable with the rear of his car and had several excursions, including a lap deleted for cutting the chicane. Johnny Herbert moved into third after setup changes, while Ralf Schumacher spun into the gravel and brushed the barrier.

Saturday Practice Classification — Combined

1999 Japanese Grand Prix Saturday practice, 30 October 1999

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:39.085	24
2	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+0.494s	22
3	17	Johnny Herbert	Stewart	+1.049s	31
4	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+1.054s	21
5	7	Damon Hill	Jordan	+1.090s	32
6	16	Rubens Barrichello	Stewart	+1.249s	26
7	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	+1.292s	21
8	19	Jarno Trulli	Prost	+1.450s	29
9	6	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.485s	12
10	11	Jean Alesi	Sauber	+1.547s	27
11	18	Olivier Panis	Prost	+1.571s	29
12	4	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari	+1.582s	20
13	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+1.916s	22
14	5	Alessandro Zanardi	Williams	+2.278s	25
15	10	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	+2.477s	18
16	12	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	+2.499s	33
17	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	+2.511s	20
18	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.853s	17
19	14	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	+3.071s	28
20	15	Toranosuke Takagi	Arrows	+3.137s	11
21	21	Marc Gene	Minardi	+3.810s	22
22	20	Luca Badoer	Minardi	+3.992s	23

Each practice table combines that day’s two sessions, showing each driver’s best time and total laps.

Qualifying

Schumacher took pole with a 1:37.470, ahead of Häkkinen. David Coulthard and Heinz-Harald Frentzen occupied the second row. Eddie Irvine struggled for pace and crashed heavily at the Hairpin, leaving him fifth on the grid and more than a second behind his title rival.

Olivier Panis and Jarno Trulli qualified sixth and seventh for Prost, followed by Johnny Herbert, Ralf Schumacher and Jean Alesi. Häkkinen knew a win would guarantee him the title regardless of Eddie Irvine‘s result, but first he had to find a way past Schumacher.

Qualifying Classification

1999 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying, 30 October 1999

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:37.470	11
2	1	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	1:37.820	9
3	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:38.239	12
4	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	1:38.696	12
5	4	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari	1:38.975	11
6	18	Olivier Panis	Prost	1:39.623	11
7	19	Jarno Trulli	Prost	1:39.644	12
8	17	Johnny Herbert	Stewart	1:39.706	12
9	6	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:39.717	11
10	11	Jean Alesi	Sauber	1:39.721	10
11	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:39.732	12
12	7	Damon Hill	Jordan	1:40.140	12
13	16	Rubens Barrichello	Stewart	1:40.140	11
14	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	1:40.261	10
15	10	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	1:40.303	12
16	5	Alessandro Zanardi	Williams	1:40.403	12
17	12	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	1:40.740	11
18	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	1:40.861	11
19	15	Toranosuke Takagi	Arrows	1:41.067	11
20	21	Marc Gené	Minardi	1:41.529	12
21	14	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	1:41.708	11
22	20	Luca Badoer	Minardi	1:42.515	8

Sunday warm-up

Häkkinen topped warm-up narrowly ahead of Schumacher, giving McLaren an encouraging final session before the title decider. Eddie Irvine returned for fourteen laps after his qualifying accident and finished sixth fastest. The two front-row starters were again closely matched as the championship reached its final race.

Warm-up Classification

1999 Japanese Grand Prix Warm-up, 31 October 1999

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	1:40.630	13
2	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.131s	14
3	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+0.742s	15
4	6	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.050s	12
5	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	+1.084s	12
6	4	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari	+1.430s	14
7	16	Rubens Barrichello	Stewart	+1.892s	13
8	19	Jarno Trulli	Prost	+1.999s	7
9	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.214s	12
10	18	Olivier Panis	Prost	+2.289s	13
11	7	Damon Hill	Jordan	+2.393s	13
12	17	Johnny Herbert	Stewart	+2.421s	14
13	10	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	+2.703s	12
14	12	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	+2.709s	13
15	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+2.921s	12
16	21	Marc Gene	Minardi	+3.078s	11
17	5	Alessandro Zanardi	Williams	+3.127s	12
18	11	Jean Alesi	Sauber	+3.266s	9
19	14	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	+3.781s	10
20	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	+4.186s	12
21	15	Toranosuke Takagi	Arrows	+4.878s	11
22	20	Luca Badoer	Minardi	+4.966s	12

What happened in the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix?

Häkkinen made the decisive move at the start, beating Schumacher into the first corner and quickly building an advantage. Olivier Panis moved into third, ahead of Eddie Irvine, David Coulthard and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The Prost later retired with an alternator problem, while Damon Hill‘s final Grand Prix ended after a spin and a return to the pits.

David Coulthard moved ahead of Eddie Irvine through the stops but subsequently damaged his nose in an accident. He rejoined before retiring with hydraulic trouble. At the front, Häkkinen kept Schumacher behind and completed the fifty-three laps to claim the victory he needed.

Schumacher finished second, with Eddie Irvine third. Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Ralf Schumacher and Jean Alesi took the remaining points. Häkkinen retained the drivers’ title by two points, while Ferrari‘s double podium secured the constructors’ championship and ended its long wait for that prize.

After the race, Mika Häkkinen headed the drivers’ standings with 76 points, followed by Eddie Irvine on 74. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 128, with McLaren on 124.

1999 Japanese Grand Prix race results

The 1999 Japanese Grand Prix was held on 31 October 1999, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	1	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	53	1:31:18.785	10
2	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	53	+ 5.015	6
3	4	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari	53	+ 1:35.688	4
4	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	53	+ 1:38.635	3
5	6	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	53	+ 1:39.494	2
6	11	Jean Alesi	Sauber	52	+ 1 Lap	1
7	17	Johnny Herbert	Stewart	52	+ 1 Lap	0
8	16	Rubens Barrichello	Stewart	52	+ 1 Lap	0
9	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	52	+ 1 Lap	0
10	10	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	52	+ 1 Lap	0
11	12	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	52	+ 1 Lap	0
12	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	52	+ 1 Lap	0
13	14	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	51	+ 2 Laps	0
14	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	47	Engine	0
Ret	15	Toranosuke Takagi	Arrows	43	Gearbox	0
Ret	20	Luca Badoer	Minardi	43	Engine	0
Ret	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	39	Hydraulics	0
Ret	21	Marc Gené	Minardi	31	Gearbox	0
Ret	7	Damon Hill	Jordan	21	Mental Fatigue	0
Ret	18	Olivier Panis	Prost	19	Alternator	0
Ret	19	Jarno Trulli	Prost	3	Engine	0
Ret	5	Alessandro Zanardi	Williams	0	Electrical	0

1999 Japanese Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	31	1:41.319	208.355
2	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	31	1:41.577	207.826
3	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	33	1:42.106	206.749
4	6	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	22	1:42.567	205.820
5	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	22	1:42.972	205.011
6	18	Olivier Panis	Prost	4	1:43.188	204.581
7	4	Eddie Irvine	Ferrari	26	1:43.297	204.366
8	16	Rubens Barrichello	Stewart	22	1:43.496	203.973
9	11	Jean Alesi	Sauber	3	1:43.669	203.632
10	17	Johnny Herbert	Stewart	5	1:43.706	203.560
11	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	6	1:43.898	203.183
12	7	Damon Hill	Jordan	14	1:43.939	203.103
13	10	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	11	1:43.963	203.056
14	12	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	22	1:44.112	202.766
15	19	Jarno Trulli	Prost	3	1:44.304	202.393
16	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	12	1:44.379	202.247
17	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	30	1:44.869	201.302
18	21	Marc Gene	Minardi	29	1:45.359	200.366
19	20	Luca Badoer	Minardi	30	1:45.377	200.332
20	14	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	25	1:45.556	199.992
21	15	Toranosuke Takagi	Arrows	27	1:46.150	198.873

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

1999 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix.

1999 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Mika Häkkinen	Finnish	McLaren	76
2	Eddie Irvine	British	Ferrari	74
3	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	German	Jordan	54
4	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	48
5	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	44
6	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	35
7	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Stewart	21
8	Johnny Herbert	British	Stewart	15
9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Benetton	13
10	Mika Salo	Finnish	BAR / Ferrari	10
11	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Prost	7
12	Damon Hill	British	Jordan	7
13	Alexander Wurz	Austrian	Benetton	3
14	Pedro Diniz	Brazilian	Sauber	3
15	Jean Alesi	French	Sauber	2
16	Olivier Panis	French	Prost	2
17	Marc Gené	Spanish	Minardi	1
18	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	Arrows	1
–	Alessandro Zanardi	Italian	Williams	0
–	Toranosuke Takagi	Japanese	Arrows	0
–	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BAR	0
–	Ricardo Zonta	Brazilian	BAR	0
–	Luca Badoer	Italian	Minardi	0
–	Stéphane Sarrazin	French	Minardi	0

1999 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	128
2	McLaren	124
3	Jordan	61
4	Stewart	36
5	Williams	35
6	Benetton	16
7	Prost	9
8	Sauber	5
9	Arrows	1
10	Minardi	1
–	BAR	0

1999 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	1999 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	7 March
2	1999 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	11 April
3	1999 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	2 May
4	1999 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	16 May
5	1999 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	30 May
6	1999 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	13 June
7	1999 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	27 June
8	1999 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	11 July
9	1999 Austrian Grand Prix	A1-Ring, Spielberg	25 July
10	1999 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	1 August
11	1999 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	15 August
12	1999 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	29 August
13	1999 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	12 September
14	1999 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	26 September
15	1999 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	17 October
16	1999 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	31 October