The race in brief
Damon Hill’s Williams make the better start from pole and jumps into the lead from Michael Schumacher. Hill’s team-mate, David Coulthard, drops down to fourth behind the Jordan of Rubens Barrichello when forced to back-off behind the German’s Benetton, with Panis (Ligier) and Herbert (Benetton) fifth and sixth. Katayama’s Tyrrell and Inoue’s Arrows collide at first corner; Martini spins his Minardi in avoidance and Diniz (Forti) and the Pacific of Montermini tangle, with only Montmermini continuing after repairs to suspension.
Alesi’s Ferrari taps Herbert into a spin at the hairpin on lap 3, the Briton retiring early for the second race running. Herbert is slapped with a $10,000 fine after jumping the start, thus bringing into effect his suspended sentence from Montreal for the same offence.
