Home victory for Coulthard

Coulthard's victory was the first for McLaren at Silverstone for 10 years.

The race was stopped on the first lap as Michael Schumacher suffered a heavy crash trying to overtake team-mate Irvine.

He crashed head-on into the tyres and suffered a broken right leg. His car was severely damaged.

At the restart, Hakkinen led, but his fortune was to turn when he pitted. His stop took nearly 30 seconds as the mechanics had problems with the rear left wheel.

It was his downfall as within minutes the wheel came off as he approached the home straight. He limped ito the pits and rejoined, but later had to retire.

Coulthard and Irvine had a great battle, punctuated by a pitstop, but it was the Scot who managed to keep his cool and take a fine victory.

He said, 'This is the one win I would trade for any other. Totally down to my mechanics who did my pit stops perfectly.

'We have two British drivers in first two places - it could have gone either way. The winners of this race were my team in the pitstops.

'But it's early days for the championship, I tend not to look at the big picture- four non-finishes, obviously the season has not gone too well for me up to now.'

Damon Hill led his final home Grand Prix for one lap because of pitstops, and finished a creditable fifth place after a great battle to try and win fourth from Jordan team-mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

Hill was pleased with the result, and said, 'The whole weekend has been brilliant.

'The fans have been fantastic and put on a great show for Britain and the rest of the world.'

It is the first time in 34 years Brits have finished 1-2 at their homerace; since Jim Clark won, followed by Damon Hills father Graham Hill. Andit is Coulthard's first victory since San Marino last April.


British Grand Prix Result