Hakkinen back on top

Heinz Harald Frentzen gave Jordan their second successive podium finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix yesterday despite running out of fuel before crossing the finish line.

Frentzen, driving a one-stop pit strategy, took third place from Eddie Irvine as the Ferrari driver exited the pit lane after his second stop. However, as world champion Mika Hakkinen pushed Michael Schumacher's Ferrari into second place, Frentzen began to slow and eventually came to a halt with the chequered flag in sight.

As Frentzen was the only remaining runner on the same lap as Hakkinen, the Jordan driver retained third place.

"It was really surprising," he said afterwards. "All of a sudden I lost fuel pressure. It was a little surprising because the team didn't tell me I was low on fuel. By this time I was pushing like hell because I didn't want to get lapped by Mika. Luckily I stopped at the right place.

"My first impression was that I had lost it (third place). But it worked out and I'm happy for the team because they did a really good job."

For Damon Hill it was another miserable afternoon. He got away badly and was passed by first Frentzen and then by the twin Benettons of Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz. Hill immediately gave chase but on lap 15 as he attempted an overtaking manoeuvre, the young Austrian turned in sharply and collided with the Jordan. Hill limped the damaged car to the pits but was forced to retire with damaged steering. A furious Hill refused to comment until the end of the race and then accused Wurz of turning in on him.

"I don't think it was very good driving from Alexander to keep coming over," he said. "I'd outbraked him, I'd won the corner and he put me out of the race. But at least I got further than I did in Australia."

Eddie Jordan admitted that the team had been lucky with Frentzen's result. "We knew we didn't qualify strongly but we knew we'd be very strong in the finish of the race and I think Heinz Harald proved that," he said. "It was important not to get lapped and we had a real bit of luck when we had the problem at the end. But Heinz is second in the championship and Jordan is second after two races - there's not many people who would have put money on that."

Eddie Irvine, meanwhile, lived up to his promise to lead the world championship back to Imola in three week's time despite finishing a disappointing fifth. He now has 12 points, two ahead of Hakkinen and Frentzen.

"My car was very bad this afternoon and felt strange," he said. "It had worked well in the warm-up so I can only assume something was broken. The steering felt heavy and the car was bottoming very badly at the front. I made a good start, but I was very careful with Michael in front of me. After my second unscheduled stop, with new tyres and low fuel, the car finally had some grip and I tried to catch Ralf. We will have further improvements for Imola and I am very happy to be going there still leading the world championship."