The 1998 Austrian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the A1-Ring on 26 July 1998. It was the tenth round of the 1998 FIA Formula One World Championship. A wet-dry qualifying session resulted in a mixed-up grid order, with Giancarlo Fisichella taking the first pole position of his career. The 71-lap race was won by Mika Häkkinen for McLaren, with teammate David Coulthard recovering to finish second, having been involved in two collisions during the race, and Michael Schumacher finishing third for Ferrari. Report Qualifying The qualifying session led to an unusual grid due to wet conditions which dried out towards the end, with Fisichella taking his first ever pole and Alesi alongside him in the Sauber. Race Mika Häkkinen started well to lead into the first corner, but several cars collided at the first corner behind them, with Takagi's car ending up stranded. Olivier Panis was left immobile on the line with clutch failure. At the second corner there was another accident, with both Arrows drivers colliding, hitting David Coulthard in the process and knocking off his wing after he had qualified in 14th. Coulthard entered the pit lane for a new nose, but fortunately for him a safety car was deployed to allow the debris from the collisions to be cleaned up, and he was able to catch up to the back of the field. At the restart Häkkinen led away again with Schumacher close behind him. Schumacher attempted to pass Häkkinen but ran wide, allowing Fisichella in the Benetton past him and almost Rubens Barrichello in the Stewart as well. Barrichello soon dropped out with brake problems, while Schumacher overtook Fisichella again. Schumacher was already on a disadvantage with a two-stop strategy, and Häkkinen on just one, but his situation got worse when he ran very wide, bouncing violently through the gravel trap and ripping off his front wing. He was able to reach the pits and fit a new wing, but rejoined almost a lap behind. Around the same time Frentzen in the Williams experienced an engine failure which caught fire, but he was able to escape from the car unharmed. 21 laps in, Fisichella and Alesi clashed at the second corner, with both having to retire. Coulthard and Michael Schumacher were both quickly moving back up through the field, but Michael had a lot of trouble passing his brother Ralf Schumacher