Abstract: The invention is directed to a hot-rolling process and a hot-rolling mill for metal strips (5) having one or more roll stands with work rolls (1, 2). In order to prevent surface defects on the work rolls (1, 2), a coolant liquid is sprayed on the entry side in a narrow region extending immediately in front of the roll gap exclusively by a series of flat jet nozzles in such a way that their core jets primarily strike the surface of the work rolls or are directed into the roll gap for direct cooling and in that the entering metal strip is acted upon at the same time by the same coolant liquid for protecting the surfaces of the rolls from the radiated heat of the metal strip. The spraying of the coolant liquid is regulated in such a way that the metal strip is cooled only in a very narrow outer zone. In so doing, the temperature at the surface of the work rolls (1, 2) is adjusted in such a way that it lies below the boiling point of the coolant liquid at least immediately in front of the roll gap.