1999 saw Formula One celebrate 50 years as the worlds top motor racing series. The season was a classic and worthy of the title, the most open in years, producing six winners and four title contenders. The Championship again went down to the wire to the final race in Japan where Hakkinen (Mclaren) and Irvine (Ferrari) fought a psychological and tactical battle dividing the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship between them. A most unpredictable season produced truly dramatic racing. Eddie Irvines' maiden win in Melbourne, Ferraris' first one/two in Monaco, unforgettable racing in Canada and France, Stewarts' first win at the Nurburgring, Michael Schumachers' stunning return in Malaysia and of course, the thrilling showdown in Japan were just some of the highlights.