The rankings at the end of last season

are as follows

1. Mika Hakkinen (Finland) McLaren 76 points

2. Eddie Irvine (Britain) Ferrari 74

3. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany) Jordan 54

4. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 48

5. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 44

6. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams

7. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Stewart 21

8. Johnny Herbert (Britain) Stewart 15

9. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Benetton 13

10. Mika Salo (Finland) Ferrari 10

11 equal. Damon Hill (Britain) Jordan 7

11 equal. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Prost 7

13 equal. Alexander Wurz (Austria) Benetton 3

13 equal. Pedro Diniz (Brazil) Sauber 3

15 equal. Jean Alesi (France) Sauber 2

15 equal. Olivier Panis (France) Prost 2

17 equal. Pedro de la Rosa (Spain) Arrows 1

17 equal. Marc Gene (Spain) Minardi 1