Jacques Villeneuve won the race despite being stuck in the pitlane for half a minute during his first pitstop, after a wheelnut problem.

Mika Häkkinen seemed set for his first win but his engine blew while he was holding off Villeneuve, having made one stop to the Canadian's two.

Further back, Alexander Wurz scored his first podium finish in his third Grand Prix, also briefly leading the race during the pitstops.

Schumacher's team-mate Eddie Irvine was close behind Villeneuve when both made their second pitstop, but his car failed as he exited the pits.

Then on the first lap Jos Verstappen crashed into the back of his Williams car at Becketts' corner ending the German's race immediately.

Damon Hill finally scored his first points for the Arrows team after a late retirement for Shinji Nakano.