Schumacher’s cracking return in Malaysia

Having broken his leg at the 1999 British Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher missed the following six races due to the injury. The German ace made his return for the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix where he grabbed pole position by nearly one second over team-mate Eddie Irvine.

With the Northern Irishman still in contention for the world Drivers’ championship, Schumacher spent his afternoon lapping at a lower pace to block McLaren’s David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen and keep Irvine’s title hopes alive with a 1-2 finish.

There was more drama after the race when the two Ferraris were disqualified for technical infringement on their bargeboards, which effectively handed the win and 1999 crown to Hakkinen. The Scuderia appealed the decision and the FIA overturned it one week later to set up a thrilling season finale at Suzuka.