1998 Belgian Grand Prix
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 13 of 16 in the 1998 Formula One season | |||
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| Date | 30 August 1998 | ||
| Official name | LVI Foster's Belgian Grand Prix | ||
| Location | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | ||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
| Course length | 6.968 km (4.330 mi) | ||
| Distance | 44 laps, 306.592 km (190.507 mi) | ||
| Weather | Cold and wet with rain becoming heavier | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | McLaren-Mercedes | ||
| Time | 1:48.682 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver |
 Michael Schumacher
|
Ferrari | |
| Time | 2:03.766 on lap 9 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | Jordan-Mugen-Honda | ||
| Second | Jordan-Mugen-Honda | ||
| Third | Sauber-Petronas | ||
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The 1998 Belgian Grand Prix (formally the LVI Foster's Belgian Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held on 30 August 1998, at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps; contested over 44 laps, it was the 13th race of the 1998 Formula One season. The race was won by Damon Hill driving for the Jordan team, with Hill's team-mate Ralf Schumacher finishing in second place and Jean Alesi finishing in third for the Sauber team, taking his last podium of his F1 career.
The race ran entirely in extremely wet weather, and on the first lap David Coulthard lost control of his McLaren, causing a multiple collision involving thirteen drivers, which led to the race being stopped. After a delay of more than an hour to clear the track, a second attempt was made to start the race, albeit without four of the drivers involved in the incident. At the restart, championship leader and pole-sitter Mika Häkkinen spun his McLaren at the first corner and was hit by the Sauber of Johnny Herbert, forcing them both to retire from the race. Hill took the lead, but was overtaken on lap eight by Michael Schumacher. Schumacher had built up over 30 seconds of advantage over Hill by lap 24 when he came up to lap Coulthard. After being instructed over the team radio to let him past, Coulthard slowed down but stayed on the main racing line; due to the spray behind Coulthard Schumacher was unsighted, hit the back of the McLaren, and caused terminal damage to his Ferrari. Coulthard initially retired due to damage on his own car, but eventually rejoined the race and finished seventh.
Hill then inherited the lead again, with his Jordan team-mate Ralf Schumacher behind him. In the latter stages of the race, the younger Schumacher was catching Hill. Initially the team informed Hill about his team-mate's pace and implied he should let him past. Hill, however, stated clearly that he would not step down, telling team owner Eddie Jordan they either race for first place and risk ending up with nothing, implying a collision, or hold positions and bring the team a 1–2 finish. Team orders were ultimately issued, requiring both drivers to hold their positions to the finish. Hill brought home the first F1 win for the Jordan team (the second for Mugen Motorsports engines) after 126 starts, bringing his own win tally to 22. It would turn out to be his last F1 win.
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