|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Coulthard was Britain's top Formula Ford driver in 1989, and in 1990 he was a front runner in Vauxhall/Lotus and the GM Lotus Euro series. He finished second in British Formula 3 in 1991, and third in the F3000 series. David Coulthard made his Formula 1 debut for Williams in 1994 and in 1995 scored his first Grand Prix victory. In 1996 David Coulthard joined McLaren where he is teamed up with Mika Hakkinen the current World Champion.
In 2000 we see David Coulthard as a leading contender for the Drivers title in a three way fight with his team-mate Mika Hakkinen and Ferrari star Michael Schumacher.
Michael Schumacher was the winner of the German Formula 3 title in 1990 and made his Formula 1 debut with Jordan at Spa in 1991. After joining Benetton, he won the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, the 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix and in 1994 and 1995 the World Championship. Michael Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1996, and in 1997 and 1998 came oh-so-close to winning the World Championship.
1999 saw a season interrupted when he broke a leg at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, but as one would expect of Michael Schumacher he bounced back with a win the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of the season.
The start of 2000 looked like a run away victory for Michael Schumacher in the Drivers Championship with three straight wins giving him a thirty point advantage. The second part of the season looks closer with McLarens David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen back in contention.
Eddie Irvine won two Formula Ford titles in 1997, and finished fifth in the 1988 Formula 3 Championship. He then graduated to Formula 3000 taking third in 1990. Eddie Irvine was second in the All Japan F3000 series and made his Formula 1 debut with Jordan where he remained until the end of 1995 when Ferrari signed him.
Eddie Irvine took five podium places in 1997, and consistency took him to fourth place in the Formula 1 Championship in 1998.
1999 was his "nearly" year when, with Michael Schumacher out of the running from the British Grand Prix in July, he became number one at Ferrari and came close to winning the Drivers Championship, only failing when Michael Schumacher won the last race of the season in Japan allowing Mika Hakkinen to steal the Formula 1 title.
Eddie Irvine signed as number one driver for Jaguar in 2000, and despite a poor start to the season remains a top driver and a real "character" among his fellow competitors.
Jacques Villeneuve has no karting background, but after only three saloon car races, he drove in the Italian Formula 3 before moving to the All Japan F3 finishing second in the 1992 Championship. A season in the Toyota Atlantic series saw Jacques Villeneuve finish third and gain "rookie of the year" title. It took him just two seasons to become CART Champion (1995) and after joining Formula 1 in 1996 with Williams won the Formula 1 World Drivers title in 1997.
The withdrawal of Renault saw Williams struggling in 1998, and in 1999 Jacques Villeneuve joined the newly formed BAR team managed by his friend and former manager Craig Pollock.
After a terrible first season, this year (2000) is much more promising and with works Honda engines and aerodynamic technical assistance, it can only be a matter of time before Jacques Villeneuve once more becomes a winner.
After huge success in karting Jensen Button drove in Formula Ford 1600 winning the Championship in 1988. He then graduated straight to British Formula 3 for the 1999 season finishing third.
In the break of a lifetime Jenson Button was selected to drive for the BMW Williams Formula 1 team in 2000 and scored points in Brazil (sixth) and in his home Grand Prix at Silverstone where he finished fifth. Jenson Button also finished fifth in Austria.
Controversially he is likely to be replaced at Williams next season (2001) by the Colombian star Juan Montoya, but the name Jenson Button is already being linked with drives at Benetton or Jaguar.