those on the season entry list. Sole tyre supplier Bridgestone brought the soft and medium dry tyre compounds, as well as the intermediate and full wet-weather compounds to the race. Before the race, Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher led the World Drivers' Championship with 56 points, ahead of David Coulthard of McLaren with 50 points and his teammate Mika Häkkinen with 48 points. Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello was fourth with 36 points and Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella was fifth with 18 points. In the World Constructors' Championship Ferrari led with 92 points, McLaren and Williams with 88 points and 19 points were second and third respectively, whilst Benetton with 18 points stood in fourth position and BAR were in fifth place with 12 points. Following the on 16 July, the teams conducted testing sessions at three circuits from 18 to 21 July to prepare for the Grand Prix. McLaren, Benetton, Jordan, Jaguar, Sauber and BAR went to Silverstone over three days. Olivier Panis, McLaren's test driver, set the fastest time on the first day of testing. Jaguar test driver Luciano Burti damaged his car's suspension, front and rear wings, and sidepod in an accident at Stowe corner. Testing was briefly stopped and Jaguar shipped a spare car for the next day's testing. Panis remained fastest on the second day. Jarno Trulli damaged his suspension and rear wing, resulting in repairs which limited his team's testing time. Burti's right rear wheel detached. Fisichella led the third and final day's running. Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer spent four days concentrating on testing engine and aerodynamic development at the Fiorano Circuit whilst Michael Schumacher did practice starts and component testing on the fourth day. Jaguar's Eddie Irvine was passed fit in the days leading up to the race. He arrived at the previous race ill with a suspected bout of appendicitis and withdrew at the end of the Friday practice sessions. He was replaced by Burti. Irvine later travelled to a hospital in London where he was diagnosed with a swollen intestine. Irvine said he felt ready to race again: "I'm looking forward to Hockenheim. I have been keeping tabs on the team's Silverstone test this week and we're all encouraged by what has been achieved." Teams setup their cars for the long straights of the Hockenheimring circuit, requiring them to reduce aerodynamic downforce and increase aerodynamic efficiency. The Jaguar team introduced multiple features to