F1: Schumacher and Hakkinen Head to Head at Melbourne

5 March 1999

Mika Hkkinen and Michael Schumacher face a head to head confrontation at the penultimate round of the Formula One World Championship, the Luxembourg Grand Prix at the Nrburgring in Germany on Sunday 27 September. The two drivers are level on points at the top of the championship table before they do battle round the 4.556kms (2.831 miles) circuit situated in the Eifel region of western Germany. It's a tense situation for both Schumacher's Ferrari and Hkkinen's McLaren teams.

Hkkinen after his disappointment in Monza is determined to fight for the championship to the end. "Now I'm looking ahead to the final two races and I'm confident that we can do a much better job at the home grands prix of Mercedes and Bridgestone in Germany and Japan," explained the Finnish driver. "I am very positive and will fight to win the championship."

The old Nrburgring circuit built some 70 years ago, and measuring some 30kms (18 miles) in length regularly staged the German Grand Prix although mostly on the shorter 22km (14 miles) Nordschleife circuit. However, a number of serious accidents brought about the demise of the great old circuit and was replaced in 1984 by the modern purpose built 4.55km (2.83 miles) circuit which was built alongside the old track..

Since then the track has hosted the European and German Grands Prix and last year staged the first ever Luxembourg Grand Prix which was won by world champion Jacques Villeneuve and in which Michael and Ralf Schumacher collided at the first corner. "I always go there with great memories because I secured my first Formula One victory there in 1996," recalled Villeneuve. "Last year I went into Michael's land with confidence to win the race again which put me right back in the championship fight. It's strange because all the walls and grandstands are far away from the track, it's difficult to get a feel of speed even through you are going fast."

The 67 lap race starts at 1400hrs local time.