 Few predicted that Crivillé could win the title in 1999 after Doohan took yet another world championship in 1998, but Doohan's career-ending crash opened the door for Crivillé, who now had a real opportunity at the title.At the opening round in Malaysia, Crivillé immediately took a podium in the form of third place at the new Sepang circuit.In Japan he finished a distant fourth while his teammate Doohan finished second.