Spa-Francorchamps, 27th August
Before the Belgian GP the team had a good test at Mugello and were confident for success. However, at Friday practice Ricardo once again had problems with the handling.
"I had a lot of oversteer this morning which I couldn't understand. We kept the set-up from the Mugello test but we had to go back and change some things. Then I made a big gain from some changes this afternoon but we still need to find more time. I am losing half a second to Jacques through Eau Rouge, so I need to get my confidence back through this corner after last year's accident."
Friday 1st practice:
17th, 1:56.998
Friday combined practice:
15th, 1:55.546, 26 laps
At qualifying Ricardo did times of 1:54.431 (4), 1:53.677 (15) and 1:53.002 (11) and then aborted his last attempt as Alesi had spun, blocking the bus stop chicane. Ricardo ended up being 13th fastest.
Saturday practice:
18th, 1:54.262, 27 laps
Qualifying:
13th, 1:53.002, 11 laps
It was wet and the race had a flying start after the cars followed the safety car on the parade lap, so most held on to their positions. On lap 6 many drivers and among them Ricardo made stops for dry tyres, Ricardo hanging on to his 13th position between Irvine (Jaguar) and Salo (Sauber). Ricardo then had to let the latter by on lap 13. Ricardo made his second stop on lap 22 and rejoined in 14th position still behind Salo. He gained two positions as Barrichello (Ferrari) and Alesi (Prost) retired on lap 33 and then on lap 40 came the scary moment when Ricardo on the straight between Raidillon and Les Combes had to see Schumacher pass on his left side while Häkkinen simultaneously passed to the right. Ricardo kept calm and held his line and all three cars made the next corner without accident. Ricardo took the flag 3 laps later in 12th position.
"I was fighting the car the whole race and couldn't really make any progress, so I just concentrated on trying to be consistent. It's possible we put on too much down force for the race and therefore were not fast enough down the straights.I'm pleased to have finished the race because it shows the car is reliable, but disappointed we didn't achieve a better result. Near the end of the race, I saw Schumacher and Häkkinen in my mirrors as I was going through Eau Rouge, so I slowed on the following straight and just stayed to the middle of the track to give them room. It was an amazing view as they went past either side of my car."
Warmup: 13th, 2:05.600, 10 laps
Race: 12th, -1 lap
FL: 1:57.269 on lap 42, (+3.466, 18th) - Two pit stops (lap 6: 31.6, lap 22: 30.9)
Winner: Mika Häkkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)