Hakkinen beats Frentzen to pole

Jordan's German star held provisional pole for a while but was eventually usurped by the champion, 0.050s splitting the pair.

David Coulthard was never really in the hunt after switching to his spare car early in the session. He will start 3rd, ahead of the two Ferrari's. The latter team were off the pace at Hockenheim and both drivers looked like they were having to drag the car around. Mika Salo did a brilliant job to outqualify his temporary team mate Eddie Irvine.

The Prosts looked fast, but Trulli suffered mechanical problems in both his race car and the spare. He will start 9th nevertheless, but is two places behind his team mate Olivier Panis.

All the Supertec runners struggled, but Marc Gene fulfilled the promise of his practice performances. Minardi's Spaniard was 15th fastest, beating both the troubled Saubers and right up there with the Williams, BARs and Benettons.

Gene won't be figuring in the race tomorrow however. Hakkinen looks set to regain the championship initiative, but Frentzen is fast enough to take a home victory and spoil Mika's plans. Ferrari's pace will be watched with interest, can Irvine make as much progress between qualifying and race day as he did in Austria, or will this be a McLaren walkover?

Qualifying times from Hockenheim: