Mika Hakkinen needed a win in Hungary to close the gap to Eddie Irvine in the drivers' standings and qualified on pole ahead of the Ulsterman. Hakkinen established a clear lead and the race developed into a fight for second as David Coulthard began to reel Irvine in. In the closing laps, Irvine cracked under pressure and slid wide, allowing Coulthard through to the delight of his McLaren team-mate.
2004
Michael Schumacher won the Hungarian Grand Prix at a canter from Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello to take his 82nd career victory. In doing so, Schumacher broke his own record for wins in a season at 12. It also gave Ferrari its sixth successive constructors' title.
