Hakkinen fastest in final session

The track was drying gradually, but that didn't stop most of the drivers having spectacular sideways moments on the still sodden track.

The two McLarens and the two Ferrari's were closely matched throughout, Hakkinen eventually pulling out a 0.2s advantage over Michael Schumacher.

David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher completed the top five.

Giancarlo Fisichella was a spectacular sixth quickest despite missing the first session with an oil leak. The Benetton crew changed the engine between sessions and the Italian was immediately in the top eight.

Eddie Irvine and Jenson Button missed the session after their earlier accident. Button's Williams had already spun off into the Brooklands gravel when it was hit by Irvine's out of control Jaguar. Both drivers were okay.

Jacques Villeneuve only just missed the tyres after sliding off at Club, while Jean Alesi's misery continued when his Peugeot engine blew. He drove the Prost halfway round the circuit with smoke pouring from the rear en route to the pits.

Times from second practice:

1 M Hakkinen McLaren 1m33.132s
2 M Schumacher Ferrari 1m33.360s
3 D Coulthard McLaren 1m33.414s
4 R Barrichello Ferrari 1m33.587s
5 R Schumacher Williams 1m33.906s
6 G Fisichella Benetton 1m34.466s
7 H-H Frentzen Jordan 1m34.709s
8 J Verstappen Arrows 1m34.787s
9 J Trulli Jordan 1m34.855s
10 M Salo Sauber 1m34.926s
11 P de la Rosa Arrows 1m35.114s
12 N Heidfeld Prost 1m35.130s
13 P Diniz Sauber 1m35.166s
14 J Villeneuve BAR 1m35.313s
15 R Zonta BAR 1m35.679s
16 J Alesi Sauber 1m35.858s
17 A Wurz Benetton 1m36.013s
18 J Herbert Jaguar 1m36.020s
19 M Gene Minardi 1m36.305s
20 G Mazzacane Minardi 1m37.187s
21 J Button Williams 1m41.870s
22 E Irvine Jaguar 1m44.323s