European GP circuit guide

Round 6: 21 May

The Nurburgring once stretched around a winding course for 14 miles.

But Niki Lauda's infamous near-death experience back in 1976, when his Ferrari burst into flames, put paid to the old track's future.

Circuit facts

Lap length: 67 laps

Race length: 2.822m (4.556km)

Total distance: 189.674 miles

The new 'Ring was built nextdoor and is a thoroughly modern, safe circuit.

After years living in the shadow of its predecessor F1's planners were delighted that last year's race was arguably the most dramatic of the season.

For years the European event has struggled to gain an identity as it moved from Britain to Spain and then Germany to capitalise on Schumacher-fever in the mid-1990s.

Form guide

Fond memories: Herbert's win for Stewart last year

Must do better: Ferrari tried to put only three tyres on a car in 1999

Look out for: Rainclouds over the Eiffel mountains

It has also been constantly shifted around the calendar and in 1997 was even renamed the Luxembourg GP.

But last year gave the rebuilt circuit a chance to show the world that the Nurburgring's drama did not die with the old track in the mid-1970s.

After the most alarming opening corner incident of the season, changeable weather offered an intriguing spectacle.

The track then witnessed the most farcical pit stop in F1 for years, a crucial passing manouvre in the championship context and tartan celebrations at the finish.

Johnny Herbert's triumph gave team owner Jackie Stewart's outfit a win before its change into Jaguar this year.

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello was third with Jarno Trulli's Prost an even bigger surprise runner-up.

Roll of honour

1995: Michael Schumacher, Benetton

1996: Jacques Villeneuve, Williams

1997: Jacques Villeneuve, Williams

1998: Mika Hakkinen, McLaren

1999: Johnny Herbert, Stewart

It all began with Pedro Diniz lucky to escape without serious injury when his Sauber flipped over and crushed its anti-roll cage at the first corner.

Alexander Wurz's Benetton had clipped the Brazilian's car and it turned over like a spinning coin.

Eddie Irvine's weekend was a mess with a bad qualifying performance followed by frustration behind slower cars in the opening stages of the race.

But that was nothing compared to the Ferrari pit team's contribution as high farce arrived in the pitlane.

Irvine stopped and although three new tyres were ready, the fourth was still inside the garage.

Irvine was delayed by 28 seconds but got away with it due to McLaren's failed gamble with Mika Hakkinen's tyres.

1999 result

1. Johnny Herbert, Stewart

2. Jarno Trulli, Prost

3. Rubens Barrichello, Stewart

4. Ralf Schumacher, Williams

5. Mika Hakkinen, McLaren

6. Marc Gene, Minardi

Maybe the rain had distracted Ferrari - because umbrellas were opening and closing in the grandstands faster than the cars lapped the circuit.

Hakkinen was caught out with an unnecessary tyre switch and had to change back, leaving the delayed Irvine and the defending champion almost on level terms.

Potential winners were jinxed as Heinz-Harald Frentzen retired before David Coulthard and Giancarlo Fisichella both span off. All were leading the race at the time.

The next man to try to so so, Ralf Schumacher, punctured before recovering to take fourth place at the end.

And through it all both Stewarts almost serenely lapped the circuit, making all the right decisions and avoiding the errors of others.

They came home amid a flurry of celebrations from the team, while much of the attention at the end centred on a costly Irvine mistake.

That allowed Hakkinen to pass him and gain two crucial points in their narrow championship battle.

The Irishman was even beaten by a Minardi finishing sixth, their first point in half a decade.

Breathless stuff. And if this year's race is half as good it will be a real early season treat.