The controversy surrounding communications claimed to be from Jacques Villeneuve1s race engineer Jock Clear to his driver after the collision which eliminated his title rival Schumacher and left the McLarens of Hakkinen and Coulthard closing in on the Canadian1s damaged
Williams have now been published in the British press.
JOCK CLEAR: Stay out. Irvine is too near to risk a stop. Coulthard and Hakkinen P2 and P3. Gently Jacques, gently. (Later) Jecques, if the car is OK mid 251s will be OK to stay ahead of Irvine. Good pace. Good pace.
(The lapped Shinji Nakano closes on Villeneuve)
JOCK CLEAR: Let him past. Don1t lose any pace to do it. Coulthard P2, five seconds. Let the Prost pass on the straight, Jacques...Two McLarens P2,P3. Very close together. That lap 25.2.
PATRICK HEAD (TO JOCK CLEAR) To repeat, Jock. We are more concerned with the championship than with the race position.
JOCK CLEAR: Keep concentrating, Jacques. Hakkinen up to position two. 26.5 seconds Villeneuve. (Greater urgency) Hakkinen quite quick and very helpful.
(Later)Be aware that Hakkinen is now in position two. He probably wants to win. Very helpful. (Later) DC (Coulthard) is controlling Irvine. Hakkinen immediately behind you, Jacques. Immediately behind you, Hakkinen
(Later) Keep concentrating Jacques. Hakkinen is immediately behind. Last lap, last lap. (Extremely nervous) Hakkinen has been very helpful. Jacques, position two. Don1t let me down, Jacques. (WE DISCUSSED THIS)
