Hakkinen wins Spanish Grand Prix

Stephen Wade

Sunday, May 7, 2000 | 2:33 a.m.

BARCELONA, Spain - Mika Hakkinen won his third straight Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday for his first Formula One victory of the season.

David Coulthard was second, completing the third straight 1-2 finish by McLaren Mercedes in the race.

Coulthard was racing after sustaining minor bruises in a plane crash Tuesday in Lyon, France, that killed the pilot and co-pilot.

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello was third followed by Ralf Schumacher of Williams, season points leader Michael Schumacher of Ferrari and Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

Michael Schumacher led from the pole in a battle with Hakkinen, but wasted 17.5 seconds on a pit stop after 41 laps when his car seemed to have trouble taking on fuel. Hakkinen also pitted after 41 laps, but was out in 6.4 seconds and never gave up the lead.

This was Hakkinen's 15th career victory and his first this season. The two-time defending champion drew within 14 points of Schumacher, who won the first three races. Schumacher has 36 points after five races while Hakkinen has 22 and Coulthard 20.

After winning the first three races and threatening to end the season title race by mid-summer, Schumacher has finished third and fifth in the last two, with McLaren showing new life.

Schumacher, the two-time series champion, had everything going for him Sunday: the pole position and a great record at this track. The German driver also had the quickest time in Sunday's early warmup.

In nine races in Spain, he has two titles (1995, 1996), two second-place finishes and three thirds.