Michael Schumacher's mechanics had started refulling after putting his tyres on causing him to be stationary for ten seconds longer than usual. Salo and Zonta went into the pit lane on lap 45, allowing Button into sixth. Coulthard had caught Michael Schumacher (who had air leaking from his left rear tyre) by lap 46. Coulthard attempted to pass Michael Schumacher on the following lap around the outside going into the first corner, but Schumacher drove into Coulthard's line as a blocking manoeuvre. Coulthard replicated his move on lap 48 and passed Michael Schumacher around the outside under braking going into turn one. Ralf Schumacher had caught up to Michael Schumacher on lap 50. Ralf Schumacher tried to overtake Michael Schumacher on the same lap, but the latter blocked him. Ralf Schumacher was forced wide and lost momentum, allowing Barrichello to pass both drivers. Ralf Schumacher attempted to reclaim the position and got alongside Barrichello with Michael Schumacher taking the inside line to emerge in front. Michael Schumacher entered the pit lane on the same lap for new tyres and rejoined in front of Button. He immediately set new personal fastest laps in an effort to catch Ralf Schumacher. However, the order was stable at the front of the field as Häkkinen had a comfortable lead over Coulthard, while Ralf Schumacher had dropped back from Barrichello. Button pulled over to the side of the track on lap 62, with smoke billowing from his engine, and retired. Häkkinen continued to maintain his lead and crossed the finish line on lap 65 to secure his first victory of the season in a time of 1:33.550.390 at an average speed of . Coulthard finished second 16 seconds behind, ahead of Barrichello who clinched third, Ralf Schumacher in fourth, Michael Schumacher in fifth and Frentzen rounded out the points-scoring positions in sixth. Salo, Zonta, Fisichella, Wurz and Irvine filled the next five finishers, while Trulli, Herbert, Gené, Mazzacane, Heidfeld and Button (despite his retirement) completed the final classified finishers. The top three drivers appeared on the podium to collect their trophies and in a later press conference. Häkkinen said that he was "pleased" to win the race and admitted that he waited until the pit stop phase to have any chance of overtaking Michael Schumacher.