Hakkinen sets pace at German GP practice

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Agence France-Presse

HOCKENHEIM, Germany (Jul 31, 1998 - 9:40 EDT) - World drivers' championship
leader Mika Hakkinen of Finland produced a blistering late lap as he
recorded the fastest practice time on Friday ahead of Sunday's German Grand
Prix.

Hakkinen was fourth-fastest with just minutes of the final session left
when he produced a sizzling lap of 1min 43.946sec around the 6.823km layout
and underlined his current dominance.

Hakkinen, who leads the championship by eight points from Ferrari's two-
time world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany, has an advantage of just
over a 0.1sec over his McLaren-Mercedes teammate David Coulthard.

The 27-year-old had dominated the morning session and led for much of the
afternoon practice before being forced to settle for second-quickest.

But Coulthard, who trails Hakkinen by 30 points, will be confident of
following up his fine second place in Austria last weekend in Sunday's race
as he attempts to finish the season on a high.

Former world champion Damon Hill also conjured up a flying lap late in the
session to take third place for Jordan as he enjoyed one of his best
sessions of the season.

Hill was under 0.4sec slower than Hakkinen but boosted his chances of
scoring his first points of the campaign if he can maintain the form
throughout the weekend.

Sauber driver Jean Alesi of France was fourth fastest, closely followed by
local hero Schumacher, with fellow Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine one place
further back.

Schumacher slipped eight points adrift of Hakkinen in the title chase after
finishing third in Austria last weekend and badly needs to beat the Finn
this Sunday to keep the drivers' crown within sight.

Sunday's race will be over 45 laps, a total of 307.035km.

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