moriel73 

1999: Hakkinen defends his title #OnThisDay 31 October, Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine‘s best chance at a world championship concluded at Suzuka, where the McLaren of Mika Hakkinen clinched the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix win, becoming only the seventh driver to successfully defend his title. For Irvine, who would leave Ferrari for Jaguar over the winter, the narrow two-point loss left little consolation, even with a third-place finish and Ferrari’s 1999 Constructors’ Championship win. “We won one championship, but not the one I wanted,” he reflected. “Winter’s going to be tough, thinking back on races where I missed out by a point here or there, or when I let Mika pass with five laps left at the Nurburgring. Had it been a 15-race season, I’d be champion; instead, I’m second.” Irvine’s hopes faded after a difficult qualifying session placed him fifth on the grid, and Hakkinen’s teammate David Coulthard further stifled his efforts by holding back the field. “I didn’t feel great about holding Eddie up to help Mika,” Coulthard admitted, “but Ferrari confirmed it wasn’t against the rules. It’s just not something I enjoyed, especially since I wouldn’t have begrudged Eddie the championship. I didn’t break any rules, but it didn’t feel right backing into a fellow Brit.” Irvine’s teammate, Michael Schumacher, finished second. #f1 #formula1