There was drama at the start when polesitter Gil de Ferran spun while taking the green flag.

He led the early stages but then began to drop back with tire problems and Maurício Gugelmin took the lead.

Fernández held him off, and Montoya's challenge was ended when he lost three laps due to a fuel pick-up problem.

In the final stages of the race, it seemed clear that everyone had to pit for fuel, and a caution brought out by Max Papis's spin was ideal.

However, Greg Moore, running second, spun while lapping backmarkers, which resulted in Richie Hearn crashing, and the caution came out again.