Mika Hakkinen won his third consecutive Spanish Grand Prix, but David Coulthard, who finished second place, and who raced five days after being slightly injured in a private plane crash in France that killed the pilot and co-pilot.
A twenty one years wait by Formula One's most illustrious team came to an end as Michael Schumacher won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, earning his third driver's title and Ferrari's first since 1979.