circuits. A total of eleven teams (each representing a different constructor) each fielding two drivers each entered the race with no changes from the season entry list. Going into the race, Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher led the World Drivers' Championship with 56 points, ahead of McLaren's David Coulthard on 34 points and his teammate Mika Häkkinen on 32. Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari was fourth with 28 points while Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella was fifth on 18 points. In the World Constructors' Championship, Ferrari were leading with 84 points, McLaren and Benetton were second and third with 66 and 18 points respectively, while Williams with 15 and Jordan with ten contended for fourth place. Following the on 18 June, the teams (except for Minardi due to a transport strike in Italy) conducted testing at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours between 21 and 23 June to prepare for the upcoming French Grand Prix. Coulthard set the fastest times on the first day, ahead of McLaren test driver Olivier Panis. Arrows driver Jos Verstappen lost control of his car after suffering a mechanical problem and crashed into the barriers at turn two. Verstappen sustained neck strain and withdrew from testing. He was later passed fit to compete in the Grand Prix. Coulthard remained fastest on the second day. Fisichella damaged the underside of his car's chassis, limiting his testing time as Benetton made repairs to his car. Häkkinen was quickest on the final day of testing. Michael Schumacher stopped on circuit as his Ferrari engine failed, causing his team to fit a new engine into the chassis. Ferrari went to their private testing facility, the Fiorano Circuit, on 27 June where test driver Luca Badoer shook down three Ferrari F1-2000 cars and also took part in pit stop practices. After the Canadian Grand Prix, where he stalled on the grid before the formation lap before receiving a ten-second stop-go penalty because his mechanics worked on his car 15 seconds before the race started, Coulthard said that Ferrari could still be caught in the season's nine remaining races: "We have to look towards Magny-Cours and put this (Montreal) race behind us. The championship is not over yet and although we cannot change what happened in Canada, we can try to close the gap." Former World Champion and President of the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) Jackie Stewart backed Coulthard to clinch the title after