Eddie Irvine has taken the lead in the world championship after his second sensational victory in a week at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim today. Irvine's win took him eight points clear of title holder Mika Hakkinen, who crashed out when a tyre exploded. The 33-year-old Ulsterman won by one second from team-mate Mika Salo to boost his chances of becoming Ferrari's first drivers' champion in two decades, with six races remaining. Jordan's Heinz-Harald Fentzen was third from fellow German Ralf Schumacher, of Williams. David Coulthard was fifth for McLaren. Damon Hill retired his Jordan with brake problems after going off the circuit.
