1998 Monaco Grand Prix
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 6 of 16 in the 1998 Formula One season | |||
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| Date | 24 May 1998 | ||
| Official name | Grand Prix de Monaco | ||
| Location | Circuit de Monaco | ||
| Course | Street circuit | ||
| Course length | 3.367 km (2.092 mi) | ||
| Distance | 78 laps, 262.626 km (163.188 mi) | ||
| Weather | Hot and sunny with temperatures reaching up to 22 °C (72 °F) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | McLaren-Mercedes | ||
| Time | 1:19.798 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver |
 Mika Häkkinen
|
McLaren-Mercedes | |
| Time | 1:22.948 on lap 29 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | McLaren-Mercedes | ||
| Second | Benetton-Playlife | ||
| Third | Ferrari | ||
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The 1998 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monaco on 24 May 1998. The race was won by Mika Häkkinen, his fourth win of the season. Häkkinen recorded a grand chelem, having taken pole, set fastest lap, and led every lap of the race.
The biggest surprise in qualifying on the Saturday was Giancarlo Fisichella. He managed to put his car up into third place, behind only the two McLaren-Mercedes. At one stage Fisichella was the fastest driver. Michael Schumacher, who was fighting for the world championship, qualified fourth which was a big disappointment for the thousands of Italian fans who travelled to Monaco for the race.
A perfect start from both McLaren-Mercedes saw them lead through the first corner, with Häkkinen ahead of Coulthard. Fisichella and Schumacher were running 3rd and 4th. In the early stages the two McLaren-Mercedes pulled ahead, netting 12 fastest laps between them from laps 4 to 12. The pack stretched out behind them, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen succumbed to pressure from Eddie Irvine. On lap 18 David Coulthard retired with engine problems.
Michael Schumacher was first to pit for fuel on lap 30. One lap later Giancarlo Fisichella went in, although he came out of the pits behind the Ferrari. Soon Michael came up behind Alexander Wurz and tried to get past him at all costs. When the two came to the Lowes corner, Michael went down the inside but the Austrian did not give way. The two cars touched and the Ferrari was damaged. Michael went in to pit for repairs, and he eventually came out three laps down on the leader Mika Häkkinen.
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