P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mika Hakkinen was awarded his second-consecutive F1 drivers’ championship on this day in 1999 after both Ferraris were disqualified from the Malaysian Grand Prix…
The telephone call Eddie Irvine received at Kuala Lumpur airport revealed the disqualification of Ferrari’s victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, altering the outcome of the 1999 race. Ferrari’s barge-boards were deemed illegal, leading to Irvine and Schumacher losing their one-two finish. Bernie Ecclestone criticized the decision, calling it “nonsense” and “bad for the sport.” The disqualification handed victory to Mika Hakkinen and confirmed McLaren as constructors’ champions. Ecclestone emphasized that technicalities should not decide championships, highlighting the controversy that surrounded the unexpected turn of events.
