Formula 1 Circuit, Imola, San Marino

Fourth round of the season and already we have the big battle. The Schumacher brothers demonstrated their skill and speed last out in Brazil, but now they are here at Imola, San Marino – the second home of the famous tifosi and the place of Ralf’s first ever win last year. With Montoya vowing revenge on Michael, the weekend could be on to remember.

SUMMARY OF LAST YEARS RACE

With both Mclarens on the front ...
...a surprise then that a dominant victory went to Schumacher – Ralf Schumacher that is. Ralf jumped ahead from 3rd at the start and never looked back to win one of the most straightforward races of last year. David Coulthard continued his promising early form to take second, ahead of Rubens Barrichello. Michael had a disappointing race as he ran a lowly 6th (for him anyway) and picked up a puncture, only to retire with suspension damage two laps ... more

Fourth round of the season and already we have the big battle. The Schumacher brothers demonstrated their skill and speed last out in Brazil, but now they are here at Imola, San Marino – the second home of the famous tifosi and the place of Ralf’s first ever win last year. With Montoya vowing revenge on Michael, the weekend could be on to remember.

SUMMARY OF LAST YEARS RACE

With both Mclarens on the front row and the Ferrari’s a little off colour, it seemed a surprise then that a dominant victory went to Schumacher – Ralf Schumacher that is. Ralf jumped ahead from 3rd at the start and never looked back to win one of the most straightforward races of last year. David Coulthard continued his promising early form to take second, ahead of Rubens Barrichello. Michael had a disappointing race as he ran a lowly 6th (for him anyway) and picked up a puncture, only to retire with suspension damage two laps later.

In a highly uneventful race – nothing like the action packed first three rounds – the race saw little action and little passing, in what is usually one of the best places for a Grand Prix. This weekend should be better.

THE HISTORY OF THE SAN MARINO GP

Although the history dates back prior to then, the Grand Prix will be synonymous to those, as the place where the great Ayrton Senna and young upstart Roland Ratzenberger were tragically killed. Back on that fateful 1994 weekend, it seemed everything was going wrong. Ever since Elio de Angelis lost his life years ago in 1986 in France, improvements to safety had meant the longest period without loss of life in the sport. But that soon changed.

As the third race of the season, the meeting got off to an awful start. Rubens Barrichello survived a massive smash with bruises and concussion on the practice day and would be sidelined for a couple of races. It was embarrassing for the organisers but it was nothing to what followed. On qualifying day, everyone was pushing but young rookie Roland Ratzenberger wasn’t to finish. He damaged his wing on the earlier part of the lap and carried on till the fast (now a chicane) Villeneuve corner. Of course the car didn’t steer and it killed the Austrian instantly. It was a massive body blow and prompted many to see the race, the next day, to be cancelled. The race went ahead and on the seventh lap of the race, the most harrowing image bestruck the F1 world as Senna, desperate to improve his poor season piled into the wall, causing a wheel to rise and strike him. Within a few hours Senna had become victim to F1’s cruel risks and it had knocked the wind out of, not only the motorsport world, but also the world of sport.

The races before then had been exciting. Fast and challenging, San Marino has usually been the place to start the European season of F1. Since the 1994 tragedies the track underwent huge changes and now is a mix of fast and slow corners. Not as challenging, but much safer, guaranteeing it’s place on the lucrative F1 calendar.

Behind Monza, Imola attracts the Tifosi. Devoted to Ferrari, a sea of red is seen in the stands and the ‘prancing horse’ has a commendable record here – a record they hope to uphold this weekend.

Although seemingly an odd place to hold a GP – San Marino is one of the least populated countries in the world -, Imola is their only track and as a religious country, some turn their noses at what is really a national festival for the Italians.

Either way, Bernie Ecclestone doesn’t seem to want to rid f1 of the track as it has always been one of his favourites. However, with two Italian tracks, one may have to go in the near future and compared the infamous, historic and glorious Monza, Imola doesn’t really stand a chance.

THE TRACK

Imola is only the second track to be ran ‘anti-clockwise’ and is the last of the season. The short home straight leads into a slight left hander, where you need a good line for the next corner at Tamburello (the place of Senna’s death). Once it was a long, exhilarating flat out left corner, but now it’s a quick left, right and left again, as it is prime for a good run into Villeneuve. Also once a fast corner, it is flatter than Tamburello and it’s faster. Slipstream the car in front and get a good run out of Villeneuve and you’ll be a dead cert for a pass into Tosa.

A smooth left-hander, which sweeps uphill in the second part of the corner, it’s pedal to the mettle through a quick right-hander and lift off for a good run through Piratella, which dips downhill into two left handers, similar to Degner Curve at Suzuka, Japan. Then it’s again uphill to a quick chicane. Attack the kerbs and accelerate downhill again to Rivazza. If you pass into the first part, then watch out because you can be passed through the identical next corner that leads out. Then it’s off again and into the slow final chicane of Traguardo. Again hit the kerbs and drive for another lap.

NEWS

A bit quiet on the F1 front in the past two weeks. The headlines have been dominated by the fued now fuelling between Montoya and Michael Schumacher. Montoya felt he has been treated unfairly and has blasted his German rival. Calm, as ever, Michael has had little reaction, defending his moves and pointing out that he is still the best. As it happens though, the rather violent blocking move on Montoya at the last race in Brazil has seen other drivers on the grid, side with the Colombian, as they believe it is a move that has been seen to often by that Ferrari.

Honda, after being severely blasted by Jordan, BAR and several critics, have hurried the development of their new evolution engine, and will make it’s debut here at Imola.

Toyota have backed down and admitted they lied about their potential this year. Many have been shocked at the form of the new team, but Toyota have insisted that they knew their car had the potential as a mid-fielder capable of scoring a few points this year – hardly the same as their, we’d be pleased if we qualified attitude this year. They have scored two points already.

THE WEATHER

The early spring weather has brought some rather unsettled, cool weather to San Marino and could see some rain, but cloud is forecast for most of the weekend.

FRIDAY PRACTICE

As rain lashed down over San Marino, it wasn’t the best opportunity to set up for a possible dry day on Saturday or Sunday. Nevertheless the session continued and threw up a rather mixed result. Out in front, and now with both F2002 cars in action, the Ferrari’s of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello overshadowed their rivals for 1st and 2nd respectivly. Despite this the ‘rain master’ Schumacher even had a slight spin as he fished for time in the slippery conditions. He wasn’t the only one though. Many of the cars swapped ends throughout the morning and afternoon sessions, although Jarno Trulli was the only one to hit anything in his Renault as he brushed a wall in the second timing.

Obviously benefiting from the improvements made by Honda and the fact, this is one of his home Grand Prix’s, the Giancarlo Fisichella put a smile on Eddie Jordans glum face as he powered to third quickest in practice. He outpaced the Mclarens of Coulthard and Raikkonen, who were 4th and 5th. As the A21, a car that many believe will be a formidable force by the end of the year, improves Arrows’ Heinz-Harald Frentzen proved he still has talent by taking 6th fastest, ahead of home talent Jarno Trulli and Felipe Massa, as he revisited a track he has done well on before.

Williams and their Michelin tyres looked off the pace in 9th and 10th, with Montoya and Ralf Schumacher. The Colombian put in a last gasp effort to improve from 19th to 9th, after a poor session. Sato wasn’t making the most of the new engine as Fisichella but 11th was a big improvement for the years unluckiest Japanese. Heidfeld was behind Massa in 12th, while Irvine and Button upheld British honours, although down in 13th and 14th. BAR were once again looking at the back of their cousins Jordan, as Villeneuve was 15th, Panis 17th. De La Rosa was behind Irvine in 16th, while Bernoldi was a disappointing 12 places behind his German team mate. Toyota and Minardi were left for the last places. Toyota, yet to really try their wet set-up, were down in 20th and 22nd, as Salo and McNish struggled for the team. This meant Webber was up in 19th and Yoong, climbed off the back of the placings in 21st.

1- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
2- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
3- G FISICHELLA (JORDAN)
4- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
5- K RAIKKONEN (MCLAREN)
6- HH FRENTZEN (ARROWS)
7- J TRULLI (RENAULT)
8- F MASSA (SAUBER)
9- JP MONTOYA (WILLIAMS)
10- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)
11- T SATO (JORDAN)
12- N HEIDFELD (SAUBER)
13- E IRVINE (JAGUAR)
14- J BUTTON (RENAULT)
15- J VILLENEUVE (BAR)
16- P DE LA ROSA (JAGUAR)
17- O PANIS (BAR)
18- E BERNOLDI (ARROWS)
19- M WEBBER (MINARDI)
20- M SALO (TOYOTA)
21- A YOONG (MINARDI)
22- A MCNISH (TOYOTA)

SATURDAY PRACTICE

After yesterday’s washout of a session, the teams would take this 45-minute before that all important qualifying hour, very seriously as they try to eke more speed out of their motors.

After dominating yesterday, German star Michael Schumacher once again had a number one by his name as he topped the time sheets convincingly ahead of Coulthard, looking more comfortable in the rather under-performing Mclaren-Mercades. Rubens Barrichello was up into 3rd place in his new car, while 4th went to Nick Heidfeld whose Sauber is looking right on the pace again after a couple of mid-field races.

The Williams were once again a little off colour but Ralf Schumacher led Juan Pablo Montoya in 5th and 6th places respectively. Raikkonen was 7th, ahead of Button, who for the first time in 2 years, looked more competeative on a track he has struggled on in the past. Making good use of the new Honda engine, it was BAR who was ahead of Jordan today, with Villeneuve 9th and Panis in 11th. Splitting the two was Frentzen who was again looking competitive in the improving Arrows A23.

Trulli, at his home GP was 12th ahead of his countryman Fisichella, who had a trip into the barriers late in the session. Sato finished the 45-minutes 14th, while Irvine was 15th, seemingly further off the pace than Jaguar were hoping. But he was ahead of De La Rosa who was struggling on the big kerbs in 18th. Bernoldi was again behind team mate Frentzen in 16th, while Salo’s 17th and McNish’s 20th was a small improvement over yesterday.

Webber, on a track he has done well on before in F3000, was 19th and ahead of Yoong who was back in last place. After a spin early in the session, Felipe Massa only got one lap in and ended it in 21st.

1- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
2- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
3- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
4- N HEIDFELD (SAUBER)
5- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)
6- JP MONTOYA (WILLIAMS)
7- K RAIKKONEN (MCLAREN)
8- J BUTTON (RENAULT)
9- J VILLENEUVE (BAR)
10- HH FRENTZEN (ARROWS)
11- O PANIS (BAR)
12- J TRULLI (RENAULT)
13- G FISICHELLA (JORSAN)
14- T SATO (JORDAN)
15- E IRVINE (JAGUAR)
16- E BERNOLDI (ARROWS)
17- M SALO (TOYOTA)
18- P DE LA ROSA (JAGUAR)
19- M WEBBER (MINARDI)
20- A MCNISH (TOYOTA)
21- F MASSA (SAUBER)
22- A YOONG (MINARDI)

2001 QUALIFYING

1- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
2- M HAKKINEN (MCLAREN)
3- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)

QUALIFYING

With temperatures rising, drying the partially damp patches, the running was expected to be quick for the afternoon qualifying and as the Ferrari’s have been top today and yesterday, they were expected to be fastest today.

With rain possibly threatening later in the session, a few cars ventured onto the track to bag a time. However, on his first out lap, Enrique Bernoldi’s Arrows-Cosworth had given up the ghost already, forcing him to get back to the pits and step into the T-Car, although that was set-up for Frentzen. First to post a time was the Minardi of Alex Yoong. Off the pace all weekend, the Malaysian may struggle to get into the race, let alone get off the back row.

Soon cars were piling in the times, with Villeneuve posting a decent benchmark time, although it was soon demolished by an impressive time by Ralf Schumacher who moved to provisional pole, while Montoya, like he has done all weekend, slotted in behind in 2nd. Trulli moved up to 3rd as he tries to emulate his good qualifying record, but he is soon demoted to 4th, by a super lap by Nick Heidfeld, who split the two Williams’ in 2nd. But the red mist was down and so were both red Ferrari’s. Immediately Rubens Barrichello was up on pole and his team mate Michael Schumacher was 2nd, after an unusually scrappy lap from the German.

20 minutes down and Barrichello led, but Montoya is the first to break the 1.22.000 barrier to take 1st, although seconds later Ralf betters that. Further round the track though, Fisichella had stopped with hydraulic problems, prompting him to run back to the pits for the T-Car. Coulthard is the only driver yet to post a time, but that’s soon rectified when he moves up to 8th after a neat but slow lap. With Ralf Schumacher leading, the Williams’ looked strong on a track they have done well on before. However, they were soon eclipsed by a stunning lap by Rubens Barrichello who raced into 1st with what could be the pole position lap. After watching his team mate complete a great lap, Michael Schumacher was soon on track to leap frog him. After a good first sector, the German was slower in the second sector and in the end could only grab 3rd fastest, behind his team mate and brother.

Now in his spare car, Giancarlo Fisichella was up from 20th, to 14th, but still behind his team mate. As yet, Alex Yoong is yet to be in the race. Coulthard hooks up a better lap but is still slow in 6th place, behind his team mate Raikkonen.

Aiming to bring put some silver on the first two rows, Raikkonen was on the limit, but too much, as he slides out of Rivazza and ruins his lap. Looking more impressive here than at any other time in the year, Jacques Villeneuve was up to 8th place, ahead of Trulli. Again, stung by the fact he is being out paced by his team mate, Michael Schumacher goes out to beat that inspired time by the Brazilian. Indeed, he tops him at the first sector, but like many others, drops off at the second sector and can’t quite go top in the last few corners, although he is now ahead of brother Ralf. In reply, both Williams’ were out, but failed to improve on 3rd and 4th.

As the session moves into the last 10 minutes, it’s Ferrari on the front row, Williams on the second and Mclaren on the third. As his team mate sits well below the 107% rule, Webber seems to be more on it here, as he moves ahead of Bernoldi and De La Rosa for 19th place. Trulli is now up to 7th, while Heidfeld is also back up to 8th. Aiming to get into the race, Yoong ‘blasts’ off on his final run, but again is just off the barrier and will not start Sunday’s race, unless Minardi appeal (and they probably will) and win.

With 5 minutes left the top 4 are all on the track. Ralf Schumacher is first of the top 4, but gets it wrong at Villeneuve and has to concede, at the most, 3rd place. Montoya was next, but too failed to improve, as the conditions were now swaying in favour of Bridgestone. This was evident a little further down as Heidfeld moved ahead of Trulli for 7th. The last two cars to take pole were now out and Rubens was first, but he has lost lots of time, but is guaranteed at least 2nd. But it’s Michael Schumacher, the king of the late pole sitters, who is on the pace and streaks through the first two sectors in the lead. A smattering of traffic failed to distract a focused driver as he nips just ahead of Rubens with second to go.

A stunning lap from Michael Schumacher to take pole ahead of the unlucky Rubens Barrichello who put in a sterling performance. Getting better as the weekend went on, Ralf Schumacher and Montoya occupied the next row. Raikkonen out paced Coulthard for 5th, with the Scot a disappointing 6th. Nick Heidfeld put in a late run for 7th, with Trulli 8th, just ahead of Brit Button who scores his best qualifying here in his 3-year career.

Villeneuve showed the new Honda engine is going well with 10th on the grid, while a late run by Panis gave him 12th place. Felipe Massa kept up his consistent form with 11th, while Frentzen was a decent 13th, although Bernoldi recovered to a poor 20th place. Behind both BAR’s for the first time this season, Sato out-qualified his team mate for 14th, while Fisichella will be disappointed with 15th. Again, a slight improvement for Toyota with Salo 16th and McNish close behind in 17th. After insisting they had dispelled their awful form, Jaguar had an awful session, only getting 18th for Irvine and De La Rosa will start last in 21st!

This is because Yoong will not start the race at his first San Marino GP after failing to get close to the 107% time. However, Minardi will be encouraged by the amicable performance by Mark Webber who managed to get off the back row in 19th, just missing 18th place (that would have been a great achievement).

THE GRID

1- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
2- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
3- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)
4- JP MONTOYA (WILLIAMS)
5- K RAIKKONEN (MCLAREN)
6- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
7- N HEIDFELD (SAUBER)
8- J TRULLI (RENAULT)
9- J BUTTON (RENAULT)
10- J VILLENEUVE (BAR)
11- F MASSA (SAUBER)
12- O PANIS (BAR)
13- HH FRENTZEN (ARROWS)
14- T SATO (JORDAN)
15- G FISICHELLA (JORDAN)
16- M SALO (TOYOTA)
17- A MCNISH (TOYOTA)
18- E IRVINE (JAGUAR)
19- M WEBBER (MINARDI)
20- E BERNOLDI (ARROWS)
21- P DE LA ROSA (JAGUAR)
DNQ ALEX YOONG (MINARDI)

SUNDAY WARM-UP

Not the most important session of the weekend, but nevertheless, all the teams used it to prepare their race cars. Like they have been all weekend, Ferrari topped the time sheets, although it was Barrichello who was ahead of Michael Schumacher, getting him back for yesterday. The Williams’ team spent the session getting their cars ready, and a 12th place for Ralf Schumacher reflected their laid-back attitude. Montoya was 3rd quickest.

Sauber, continued their promising form with 4th and 5th for Heidfeld and Massa respectively. They are a good bet for some points in the race. Mclaren were again not quite on the pace in 6th and 7th, with Raikkonen once again, ahead of Coulthard. The revitalised Jacques Villeneuve was 8th quickest after a productive 45 minutes, just ahead of Jenson Button, who equalled his grid position of 9th. Enrique Bernoldi finally found a way to squeeze power out of his Arrows, being 6 places higher than he’s been all weekend, as well as 10 places ahead of his grid slot.

Jarno Trulli was high up early on in the session, but ended it 11th. 13th went to Frentzen, while Japanese Takuma Sato was 14th, again ahead of 16th place Giancarlo Fisichella. Splitting them was the similarly powered BAR of Panis. Again Jaguar, Toyota and Minardi (albeit 1 of them), filled out the last places. Irvine was 17th, Salo 18th, De La Rosa 19th, Webber 20th and McNish last in 21st – Yoong did not participate as he will not race.

1- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
2- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
3- JP MONTOYA (WILLIAMS)
4- N HEIDFELD (SAUBER)
5- F MASSA (SAUBER)
6- K RAIKKONEN (MCLAREN)
7- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
8- J VILLENEUVE (BAR)
9- J BUTTON (RENAULT)
10- E BERNOLDI (ARROWS)
11- J TRULLI (RENAULT)
12- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)
13- HH FRENTZEN (ARROWS)
14- T SATO (JORDAN)
15- O PANIS (BAR)
16- G FISICHELLA (JORDAN)
17- E IRVINE (JAGUAR)
18- M SALO (TOYOTA)
19- P DE LA ROSA (JAGUAR)
20- M WEBBER (MINARDI)
21- A MCNISH (TOYOTA

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

I believe Michael Schumacher will win, not far ahead of Barrichello who won’t push as hard. I can see Ralf Schumacher in a lonely 3rd, with one of the Mclaren’s 4th. Heidfeld, Button, Trulli and Villeneuve will be close for 5th and 6th and so could go to any of them. I don’t think Montoya will finish.

2001 RESULTS

1- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)
2- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
3- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
4- M HAKKINEN (MCLAREN)
5- J TRULLI (JORDAN)
6- HH FRENTZEN (JORDAN)

THE RACE

With the sun peeping through the dark clouds, the rain was threatening to put an obstacle into what promises to be a fun and eventful race. 21 cars lined up and raring to go, the start would be tight. As the lights went green, pole sitter Michael Schumacher sprinted away, while his brother slotted behind him, as he passed 2nd place man Rubens Barrichello.

Just avoiding clipping the Brazilian was Montoya who decided to back off. All the cars filed through, basically as they were, although further back British hopes took a dent when Allan McNish got away and immediately pulled off the track to retire his ailing Toyota with gearbox problems. As things began to pan out, the field looked like this…

1- M SCHUMACHER
2- R SCHUMACHER
3- R BARRICHELLO
4- JP MONTOYA
5- K RAIKKONEN
6- D COULTHARD
7- J TRULLI
8- J BUTTON
9- N HEIDFELD
10- F MASSA
11- J VILLENEUVE
12- O PANIS
13- T SATO
14- HH FRENTZEN
15- M SALO
16- E BERNOLDI
17- E IRVINE
18- M WEBBER
19- G FISICHELLA
20- P DE LA ROSA

After mastering the start, Michael Schumacher wasted no time in scampering into the distance and began to eke out a lead that would win him the race. On a track, where passing is very hard, the action was very minimal, Schumacher providing the only entertainment as he set a series of new lap records. Retirement number two was soon upon us, as Takuma Sato’s ‘inconsistent’ season continued as he pulled into the pits with a wining gearbox. He soon crawled down the pit lane but once he was back on the track, the Jordan would remain crawling, prompting the Japanese starlet to cruise off the circuit.

After just 7 laps though, Nick Heidfeld was in the pits, for a bizarre routine stop, indicating a rare 3-stop strategy. However, the team, were not ready and so slow to change the cars tyres and fuel. Just a lap later, his team mate was in the pits, albeit with a more prepared crew. The Sauber team were once again on their feet as they attended Heidfeld’s motor again, as they put fuel in this time, after the rig not working previously.

After a strong fight with Mika Salo, Giancarlo Fisichella topped off yet another miserable weekend by pulling off the circuit with hydraulic problems – the same that forced him out in qualifying. Again the pits were a flurry of activity as the blue and yellow pit crew of Renault rushed out to receive both Trulli and Button in two laps. Out in front Michael Schumacher was pulling further away as he set another lap record. A fourth retirement fell once again to Arrows, who haven’t won a point since Austria 2001, and to former winner here, Heinz-Harald Frentzen. With the gap between the two closing all the time, Rubens Barrichello looked set to leap frog Ralf Schumacher, although as the two came up to lap Eddie Irvine’s under-performing Jaguar, the Williams streaked past the ‘big green failure’, Irvine held up, seemingly deliberately his former team mate Barrichello. Barrichello showing his ‘appreciation’ with a rather pleasant ‘middle finger’ gesture to Irvine.

With McNish already out, Toyota had their first double breakdown of the season with the demise of Mika Salo. Now with the red mist down, it was Barrichello on the move, breaking the lap record – set by his teammate minutes earlier. Having pitted twice already, the officials added insult to injury by awarding the German a ‘drive-through’ penalty for pit lane speeding.

With a satisfactory lead, Michael Schumacher chose lap 31 (halfway exactly) to pit his Ferrari, coming out 2nd behind his teammate, as Ralf Schumacher also pitted on the same lap. The very next lap Rubens Barrichello put in an impressive in-lap and cruised in calmly for his stop. The 7-second stop was good enough to help the Brazilian keep that 2nd place and get ahead of Schuey Jnr.

Having started and run last all day, Pedro De La Rosa ended his pain by pulling off the track, as his clutch broke coming out of the pit lane. Now in 7th, one place behind a point’s position, Jenson Button was now ahead of his teammate Trulli. The last person to make their first stop was David Coulthard as he continued to pilot his disappointing Mclaren, and come out 7th, behind fellow Brit, Button. With the second round of pit stops starting again, it was Sauber and Renault kicking off the proceedings, with Heidfeld in for a fourth time.

Having started and run in 5th all through the race, Kimi Raikkonen dramatically pulled into the pits to retire from the race. Without any telltale signs of a problem, the Finn’s retirement was a mystery. But it’s been confirmed that Raikkonen had a problem with the suspension, so the team brought him in, to prevent a possible bit accident, like what happened in Brazil. Olivier Panis too was cruising into the pits and into retirement – the Frenchman is still yet to finish this year.

Of the big names, race leader Michael Schumacher was first in and second out, as Barrichello took the lead for the second time. Immediately after, Barrichello was on the speed limiter and jumping into his park bay and watching the teams change tyres and fuel him up. However, a problem with the wheel gun, cost the Brazilian time and that meant a win – which was a weak prospect in the first place -, was dowsed in just a few seconds. He returned to the trip in second still though, ahead of the Williams’.

With De La Rosa out, hopes rested with Eddie Irvine. Running in the penultimate place, of the 15 cars left in the race, Irvine soon joined his teammate on the retirement list after pulling off in the same place – the Jaguar turmoil continues.

Now in 5th after benefiting from his teammates bad fortune and Buttons pit stop, David Coulthard was running a lonely 5th place, although a pit stop did enough to drop him behind the rejuvenated Button, who was heading for his third straight points finish.

With the finish in sight, the running had now calmed down, with gaps throughout the order. But with 10 laps left to his first finish, the gravel trap beckoned for Enrique Bernoldi. Having battled up to 10th place, the Brazilian had another gearbox failure and so pulled off the track to retire again. The only battle on the track was now between young Brazilian Felipe Massa and Jarno Trulli for 8th place. After running well early on, Trulli has dropped back, while Massa has sped up. Indeed the Rivazza corner saw the 22 year-old slip past Trulli – both are being scouted by Ferrari.

But unstoppable all the way, Michael Schumacher took the win by over 20 seconds, from his teammate Barrichello, who took his first points of the season. Ralf Schumacher cruised into third place for Williams, while his teammate Juan Pablo Montoya drove into a lonely and somewhat disappointing 4th place. 5th place went to the ever improving Renault and ever maturing Button. Still 4th in the championship, Button will be once again out best Brit. Described at the beginning of the season as the challenge to Williams and Ferrari, Mclaren will now have to fend off Renault, as the resurgent French team have still more to come, and this was shown by a poor performance by David Coulthard. 6th place and one point was all the Scot could do today.

Just missing the points was BAR driver Jacques Villeneuve. With Jordan sauntering out of San Marino, BAR picked up the pieces. Although there were no points for the recovering team, the light was getting brighter for a team, that has since been forced to pilot dour cars. Having chosen a poor fuel strategy, Sauber will be pleased that their new driver Felipe Massa was 8th place. A superlative move on Trulli at the end of the race confirmed, he is the driver to look for. He promised much, but failed to deliver. 9th place wen to Jarno Trulli, who seemed to gradually drop back as the race progressed. Nick Heidfeld, having greeted his pit crew 4 times, was a commendable 10th, meaning both Sauber’s finished. 11th and last place was Mark Webber. A long way behind, but the Minardi would once again make the race distance.

THE RESULTS

1- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
2- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
3- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)
4- JP MONTOYA (WILLIAMS)
5- J BUTTON (RENAULT)
6- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
7- J VILLENEUVE (BAR)
8- F MASSA (SAUBER)
9- J TRULLI (RENAULT)
10- N HEIDFELD (SAUBER)
11- M WEBBER (MINARDI)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1- M SCHUMACHER (34)
2- R SCHUMACHER (20)
3- JP MONTOYA (17)
4- J BUTTON (8)
5- R BARRICHELLO (6)
6- D COULTHARD (5)
7- K RAIKKONE (4)
8- E IRVINE (3)
9- M WEBBER (2)
10- M SALO (2)
11- N HEIDFELD (2)
12- F MASSA (1)

THE AWARDS

BEST DRIVER OF THE WEEKEND

This one has to go to Rubens Barrichello. I have always rated him and I am disappointed about all the flak towards him, but he has shown he can do well. He was a star in qualifying, after working hard to get the right set-up. He was also great in the race, providing the only real entertainment on the track. However, you wonder what might have been if he drove his racecar. Reports suggest that Michael Schumacher effectively stole Rubens car because it was better, leaving the Brazilian having to pick a slower motor – another ‘number 1’ prejudice by Ferrari.

BEST TEAM

No doubt about it. A Ferrari one-two for a team worried about the reliability of the F2002, is no mean feat. This isn’t a track that favours the Ferrari, so their win was excellent. Bodes well for the rest of the season. They now take the lead in the manufacturers standings, ahead of Williams.

BEST OUTSIDER

For this I go for Mark Webber in the Minardi. Qualifying 19th, ahead of an Arrows and Jaguar, as well as out pace his teammate by 3 seconds is impressive for such a little team, but also run ahead of a Jaguar and run behind a former winner Irvine for most of the race, and then finish, is no mean feat for the charismatic team.

WORST DRIVER

There was no bad driver this weekend, but I suppose Jarno Trulli was a disappointment. A clean qualifying effort and decent early pace, was ruined by some late lacklustre driving, and was again behind Button.

UNLUCKIEST DRIVER

This goes to Frentzen. Yet to really finish a race, the German has been strong all weekend, displaying Arrows potential, but without the rewards. Another retirement and another woe.

MOVE OF THE RACE

For such a young and inexperienced driver, the move on Jarno Trulli at Rivazza confirmed Massa’s place in the F1 circus. So young and so talented.

Once again Ferrari reign supreme at the top of the standings. An accomplished drive by both drivers deserved the win. A quiet and largely uneventful race for Williams saw them take a back seat to their red rivals, while Mclaren are again slowly slipping back down the order, while Renault are again becoming quite a force to be reckoned with. Reliable, tidy and speedy, Sauber remain in the pack.

Jaguar are again slipping and fell into Minardi pace this weekend, the grip problems again plaguing the R3. Minardi had a topsy-turvy weekend. Yoong not qualifying was a big blow, although the pleasing performance of Webber was a boost. Toyota hit reality hard this weekend. With a car not set-up perfectly for kerbs and wet weather, their car struggled with both all weekend.

Still, Jordan, BAR and Arrows are yet to score. BAR looked much stronger here, while Arrows are can reach the points if they sort out their reliability problems. As for Jordan, well another awful weekend for them. Poor chassis, unreliable engine and a driver looking frustrated, Eddie Jordan is finding it hard to keep on the brave face, he so usually uses.

Thanks for reading and watch out for the next race in Spain,

SOLEX/OLLIE
 

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