Formula 1 Circuit, Spielberg, Austria

...of the way through the Formula One season. Despite this relatively small passage through the year, nearly all of the teams have written off their chances after another dominant victory at the hands of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari at the last GP in Spain. It’s now his forth win in five races, and few seem to be able to match him, other than possibly Rubens Barrichello who has given the German a close run in qualifying in the past two races, ...
.../> But now we cross to Austria, the only track on the F1 calendar yet to be won by Herr Schumacher – a tradition he is eager to dispell this weekend, and his form, few can bet against him.

SUMMARY OF LAST YEARS RACE

Not much didn’t happen in last year’s race. Thwarted by his rivals, there were some unlikely faces battling in the top six. On a track where there is no testing, things are evenly matched ... more

The 6th round of the F1 season in Austria was bound to go down as one of the most controversial, most talked about and historical GP’s of all time – and not for the right reasons either.

Five down, another twelve to go, we are nearly a quarter of the way through the Formula One season. Despite this relatively small passage through the year, nearly all of the teams have written off their chances after another dominant victory at the hands of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari at the last GP in Spain. It’s now his forth win in five races, and few seem to be able to match him, other than possibly Rubens Barrichello who has given the German a close run in qualifying in the past two races, but has been let down by unreliable machinery.

But now we cross to Austria, the only track on the F1 calendar yet to be won by Herr Schumacher – a tradition he is eager to dispell this weekend, and his form, few can bet against him.

SUMMARY OF LAST YEARS RACE

Not much didn’t happen in last year’s race. Thwarted by his rivals, there were some unlikely faces battling in the top six. On a track where there is no testing, things are evenly matched and it showed with the Montoya/Schumacher battle flaring up again. Indeed with both Williams, Ferrari’s, Coulthards Mclaren and bizarrely Jos Verstappens Arrows battling, Montoya held his line into the slowest corner on the track and ran into Schumacher taking them onto the grass, letting Barrichello into the lead. However, by the pit stops Coulthard was past Barrichello and on to his second win of the year, while Barrichello yielded to team orders and let his teammate through on the final straight, while Williams contemplated another defeat.

Raikkonen took an excellent 4th, Panis 5th and Verstappen 6th, scoring Arrows only point in 2001.

THE HISTORY OF THE AUSTRIAN GP

The Austrian GP has been on and off the F1 calendar like a yo-yo over the years, although the current A-1 Ring is a firm favourite with the drivers and so looks safe as the chop is set to fall on others. Used as an airfield GP in the 60’s the track was fast and very dangerous, so saw many deaths, resulting in changes to be made.

A long, twisty track resulted as a rival to the Nurburgring, but once again safety bowed and Austria was once again struck off the F1 calendar and it didn’t return until the 1997 season. Seen as the replacement for the defunct Argentinean Buenos Aires meeting. Shorter, faster and tough, the track is a big favourite and has yet never failed to throw up a procession race.

In 1997, as a replacement for Olivier Panis, Jarno Trulli led for the now bankrupt Prost team for most of the race and looked set for victory until mechanical problems forced him out. In 1998, the wet qualifying session saw topsy-turvy grid, with Giancarlo Fisichella scoring his first – and only - ever pole, with the Sauber of Jean Alesi along side.

1999 saw Eddie Irvine race to his best ever victory, beating his rivals fair and square, and stating his championship possibilities. In 2000, a massive pile up at the tight first corner resulted in a rather odd order, highlighted by the pace of Pedro De La Rosa’s Arrows running and heading for third, until succumbing to car problems.

Set in the hills of Austria, the A-1 Ring in Zeltwig, is very rarely used because of how secluded it is, so no testing and very little racing takes place, making the track unpredictable and slippery. Add bizarre weather patterns and the A-1 Ring usually serves up one of the best races of the year.

THE TRACK

Built on a hill, the steep home straight leads into one of the most challenging corner in the championship. On a brow of a hill, tight and with a pit wall exit on the left, there is no room for mistake, in much of the same way experienced at Monaco. You may be able to take it fast but you have to be careful – always a worth watching for the start, as several cars found out in 2000 when Ricardo Zonta set off a massive pile-up.

It’s then once again uphill towards the slowest corner on the track, Remus. At a 45-degree angle, it’s hard to get right and accidents happen there too, as Montoya and Schumacher found out last year. Then it’s a squirt to the long, downhill Gosser Kurve, which has to be taken smoothly if you have any chance of being passed.

It’s not the smooth left-handers of Niki Lauda and Power Horse Kurves, which if you get right will slingshot you for a move in the Jochen Rindt Kurve. The quick snap through here and your immediately into the initially looking tight A-1 Kurve, but provided you find the grip you are now up the final straight again and heading into another lap.

THE NEWS

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks in the F1 world, although rumours are spreading a new team is set to join the F1 grid in 2003. Asia Tech, the engine supplier for the Minardi team have apparently confirmed an entry for F1 next year. The secret projects are build and sell their own chassis and engine to another team, but could enter as a fully-fledged team. The French team are effectively owned by Peugeot. The Japanese Asia Tech Corporation joined up with Peugeot in 2001 and powered the Arrows team and are currently doing business in the back of Minardi’s, and its always been an aim for Peugeot to be a proper works team. The car, penned by former Ferrari’s designers, is already undergoing wind tunnel tests, on the way for an entry.

After months of speculation over his future at Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello has re-signed for Ferrari till the end of 2004. Many believed Barrichello was suffering from being with Ferrari and that with just one win since 2000 he wasn’t delivering the goods. However, he is the first teammate to get on with Michael Schumacher and Ferrari believe he is the only driver that can really push him to the title – as qualifying in San Marino and Spain suggest.

It seems all the countries are at it at the moment. Every fortnight it seems news of a new GP become clear. After Dubai, Russia and Turkey, Egypt has said they are extremely interested in hosting a GP as soon as 2004. The track, to be built outside Cairo, has had the approval to be built and is getting money from the government. Now plans are on the way to Bernie Ecclestone to host a GP in Africa for the first time since the F1 circus left Kylami, South Africa in 1993. In keeping with Egyptian tradition, the track is to be in a unique Sphinx shape.

Speculation is rife, but Allan McNish’s future with the new Toyota team could already be on the rocks. It has been reported that IRL stars Christian De Matta and Gil De Ferran are to test the car later in the year, as it seems the team are keen for either to join the team next year. However, by contrast Toyota has been rumoured to be approaching Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld in a bid to move the team forward. McNish on the other hand is looking for an American CART seat for next year.

After missing out on the Spanish GP after several wing failures, the black Minardi’s will be in Austria after confirming each incident was isolated. Three wing failures, two on Webbers and one on Yoongs resulted in the team pulling out of the GP, but tests have shown that the wings are fine and that it seems the abrasive surface on the Barcelona track was too blame.

FRIDAY PRACTICE

As the first F1 cars stepped out onto the A-1 track for the first time since 11 months ago, no one knew the outcome. As it happens the order wasn’t exactly run of the mill. Taking top spot was Rubens Barrichello. With the pressure off from his new Ferrari deal, Barrichello stormed to the fastest time, out pacing his rival and championship leader Michael Schumacher. Not far behind the scarlet Ferrari’s was the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya who led most of the race last year before falling off the road and retiring later on. Having recorded an excellent 4th place in only his 6th Grand Prix, the A-1 Ring holds fond memories for Kimi Raikkonen and he was 4th fastest.

Allan McNish, having been blasted by the news Toyota are lining up his replacement next year, showed his worth with 5th place, just ahead of the Arrows of Enrique Bernoldi, once again proving their new speed. Engine sharer Jaguar weren’t far behind with Pedro De La Rosa finishing 7th fastest. After finishing 5th last year, Olivier Panis will be hoping just to finish this year, but with 8th quickest he is on the pace.

Having won here last year, Coulthard didn’t look as composed as he sauntered to 9th fastest, just ahead of the Jordan of Takuma Sato. Missing out on the top 10 was Eddie Irvine in 11th, ahead of Ralf Schumacher and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Renault were off the pace with Button down in 14th and Trulli even worse in 17th. After finishing 4th and 5th at the last race in Spain, Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa weren’t as quick with 15th and 16th fastest.

Propping up the last five places, were Giancarlo Fisichella in 18th, Mika Salo in 19th, Alex Yoong, up from last in 20th, Jacques Villeneuve well down on Panis in 21st and Mark Webber in last place.

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

SATURDAY PRACTICE

With just a couple of hours before qualifying, the second practice session would be the most important of the three of the weekend. Having been pipped by his teammate in yesterdays session, Michael Schumacher got revenge by setting the fastest time, over half a second quicker than his Brazilian rival, who was back in second place. Williams put in a better show with Ralf Schumacher jumping 9 places to 3rd place and his teammate Juan Pablo Montoya just behind in 4th, the Michelins clearly working better on the BMW-powered machines.

Bridgestone filled the next 3 places, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen continuing Arrows good form in 5th, just ahead of the Sauber’s Massa and Heidfeld, who are effectively driving in their Swiss teams home GP. Once again ahead of his more experienced teammate, Kimi Raikkonen was 7th fastest, just ahead of the BAR’s of Olivier Panis and Jacques Villeneuve looking better than his 21st yesterday.

Although not quite as good as yesterday, Allan McNish again looked competitive in 11th, just ahead of his teammate Salo in 12th. Way off the pace, 2001 winner David Coulthard continues a harsh weekend for Mclaren way down in 13th place. Having gone 6th quickest yesterday, Enrique Bernoldi was back down in 14th after a spin and gearbox failure.

Then it’s two’s all the way, with Renault in 15th and 16th, Trulli ahead of Button, Jordan’s Fisichella and Sato in 17th and 18th, ahead of Jaguar, De La Rosa in 19th, Irvine 20th and once again the Minardi’s propping up the timesheets, Webber ahead of Yoong.

Indeed many of the runners experienced runs off the track, as the slippery surface begins to bite.

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

2001 QUALIFYING

1- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
2- JP MONTOYA (WILLIAMS)
3- R SCHUMACHER (WILLIAMS)

QUALIFYING

Unlike tracks like San Marino and Spain, where overtaking is very rare, the same can’t be said for the A-1 Ring, as every year, astounding moves and excellent overtaking are always apparent. In this case, qualifying isn’t as important as on other tracks, but never the less, a good spot would be helpful.

With little rubber on the slippery track you cant blame the drivers for being tentative on being the first car out and putting rubber onto the track to benefit later runners. But in the end it was, as usual, a Minardi, which set the timesheets ‘alight’, with Mark Webber setting the first time. Not long after the roar of a BMW-engine was heard as it trundled out of the pit lane. Juan Pablo Montoya was taking the unusual step of going out early, although he pulled straight back into the pits, as it seemed he had been struck with a problem. Indeed, soon the Williams mechanics were busy around the spare car, as it seemed, Montoya had a problem with his race car.

Soon the track was coming alive and within 25 minutes many of the cars had set a time, although some laps were spoiled by an off by Alex Yoong as he chased a quick time. But soon the times were again tumbling, with Ralf Schumacher going fastest, only to be beaten seconds later by Kimi Raikkonen, who in turn was displaced by his teammate David Coulthard. As yet though, no Ferrari’s were on track.

Rubens Barrichello soon eradicated this by driving onto the track and set about snatching that top spot. Indeed he was by far the fastest through sectors 1 and 2, but his lap would be spoiled up by an off, caused by the oil from Jarno Trulli’s expired engine. Heinz-Harald Frentzen followed suit off the track, which prompted the session to be halted to move Trulli’s Renault and cleaning up the oil, which was making the already slippery track, like an ice rink round turn 6.

The session remained silent for 10 minutes, as Austrian workers frantically swiped the oil away. But the clock soon began to waste away, with no activity on the circuit again. After five minutes, cars were once again on the track, with Villeneuve moving up to 9th, Fisichella 12th, but more impressively Ralf Schumacher up storming up to provisional pole position. However, further down the track the Ferrari’s were flying, with Rubens Barrichello storming over the line with an excellent time which would put him in good steed for pole position. But what of his dominant teammate? Well an indifferent lap saw Michael nowhere near Rubens time, although he did slip his scarlet Ferrari ahead of his brother to 2nd, only to loose it out of turn 1, as he went for another lap. A rare occurrence for Schumacher, was the pressure of another tight qualifying session with his teammate getting to him?

Going for a second lap, Rubens Barrichello improved his lap time even further, to add more pressure on his rivals shoulders as he chased his 5th career pole position. Further back, Felipe Massa was stating his authority in an excellent 5th place, just ahead of Coulthard, Panis, Bernoldi, Salo and Heidfeld, running out the top 10. After aborting his first lap, Juan Pablo Montoya could do no better than 10th fastest on his first flying lap, but there was more to come from the Williams, as Ralf Schumacher soon found out.

Having spent two GP’s way off the hot Ferrari pace, Ralf Schumacher had thrown the gauntlet down and was quickest as he entered the third section. Unfortunately the car wouldn’t propel him into 1st, but he was now 2nd and had given a warning to Ferrari, that they aren’t ready to give up.

With just 10 minutes to go, the track would soon be a frenzy for F1 cars, all vying for that top spot. Panis improved his BAR to 7th place, but further ahead the Sauber’s and their new, special qualifying engine was putting Massa into 5th place and even better his teammate Heidfeld in 4th place. Heinz-Harald Frentzen moved into 10th ahead of Bernoldi, but was dropped a place by Montoya improving to 7th, still off the pace.

But Michael Schumacher is getting hot under the collar. He has ditched his ‘under performing’ race car, to climb into the spare car, in a bid to eke out some extra tenths and claim his 5th pole of the year. But all eyes were now on Ferrari and Williams as the seconds ticked away. Montoya drew first blood but could only manage 4th place, 2 places off his position last year. Aiming to beat his time, Rubens Barrichello was trying a little too hard and out braked himself as he tried to go round the outside of Mika Salo at Turn 2, ruining his lap. Ralf Schumacher was next up and flying, once again pushing Barrichello all the way, but finished the lap still in 2nd place.

Michael Schumacher, down in 3rd place was on the ragged edge and it showed as he too could only manage to improve his time, not his place. Perhaps he wont repeat his ‘last lap’ wonder of the previous two races. Indeed Ralf and Michael Schumacher tried but 2nd and 3rd they would stay respectively, leaving 1st place and his 5th ever pole position to Rubens Barrichello. He even pushed to record an even faster time, really dominating the session, in much of the same way Michael Schumacher is renowned for.

With 2 more years on his contract, Barrichello’s confidence is clear. Hopefully his luck can continue to Sunday and score only his second ever win. Ralf will line up alongside, while Michael Schumacher will have to settle for third place. Montoya completed a Williams/Ferrari top 4.

Sauber reaped the rewards of Mclaren and Renault mishaps by taking 5th and 7th for Heidfeld and Massa respectively – it’ll be their highest ever-starting positions in F1. Mclaren were once again drifting further down the grid, with Raikkonen only just snatching Massa’s 6th in the closing seconds, while Mclaren will not be happy with 2001 winner David Coulthard down in 8th place.

Olivier Panis continued his Austria good form with 9th on the grid; points could be on the cards for BAR. Scoring only their second top 10 qualifying position, Mika Salo gave Toyota something to smile about after a couple of hard races. Just missing the top 10, both Arrows were again on good form on a track that has been kind to them in the past. Heinz-Harald Frentzen was 11th, just ahead of 12th place Bernoldi, who recorded his best ever-qualifying performance.

After some very impressive recent performances, Jenson Button will be disappointed with a rather average 13th place, although he fared better than his teammate Trulli who failed to match his debut qualifying position on this circuit of 3rd, down in 16th place. Having run as high as 4th, Allan McNish could have been higher than 14th, but still it is his best qualifying performance of the season.

With Panis managing to get his BAR in 9th, the 3 other Honda powered cars were surprisingly way down in 15th, 17th and 18th, with Fisichella ahead of Villeneuve and Sato respectively.

Propping up the last two rows were once again Jaguar and Minardi. De La Rosa was 19th, with Irvine 20th, their Jaguar still not producing the goods. Webber and Yoong will start last once again.

THE GRID

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

SUNDAY PRACTICE

With the grid decided, it was just time to fine tune the settings and get the set up just right for the afternoon race. However, neither Ferrari’s needed a tweak or two, as they dominated the session, with Rubens Barrichello once again ahead of his more fancied teammate. It was a good session for Ferrari powered machines, as Felipe Massa, who believed he could have been 4th or 5th on the grid if his best run yesterday wasn’t spoiled by traffic, recorded the 3rd fastest time. Bridgestone runners filled the top 6 places, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Enrique Bernoldi an impressive 4th and 6th for Arrows, being split by the second Sauber of Nick Heidfeld.

David Coulthard led the Michelin runners in 7th place, ahead of Jacques Villeneuve in 8th and Kimi Raikkonen in 9th place. Starting from 20th on the grid, Eddie Irvine will be encouraged by his 10th quickest time, as he just pipped 11th place Olivier Panis. Once again Renault and Jordan struggled outside the top 10 with, Fisichella 12th and Sato 15th, while the Renaults of Button and Trulli were 13th and 17th respectively.

Performing even worse though were the Williams drivers, with Ralf Schumacher in 14th and Juan Pablo Montoya way off in 18th. However, they have been renowned for taking on big fuel loads to test the race conditions.

Pedro De La Rosa took 16th place, while Toyota and Minardi filled the last 4 places, with Webber 19th, Salo 20th, McNish 21st and Yoong once again trailing in 22nd.

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

2001 RESULT

1- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
2- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
3- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
4- K RAIKKONEN (SAUBER)
5- O PANIS (BAR)
6- J VERSTAPPEN (ARROWS)

THE RACE

With the Austrian forecasts predicting a little bit of rain, the 6th race of the season was expected to be exciting after two rather provisional races in Spain and San Marino. As the lights went green, all had got away well with, Rubens Barrichello holding onto the lead and his teammate Michael Schumacher slotting behind having sneaked past his brother. Having gone wide and around the first corner gaggle, Nick Heidfeld was up to 3rd place ahead of the two Williams and the two Mclaren’s. Felipe Massa had a bad first lap, dropping to 11th from 7th on the grid.

Up at Turn 2 though, a rather eager Jacques Villeneuve made a rather adventurous move on Heinz-Harald Frentzen, causing the pair to touch and run wide, dropping the German down to 22nd place and last. It wasn’t long before cars began to set the retirement list off, with two cars putting an end to their races after just one lap. Pedro De La Rosa coasted his Jaguar into the pits with no power, while Enrique Bernoldi pitted with frontal damage, as a result of bumping into his teammate at the first corner – not a good start for Arrows.

With the order settling down into a sweeping train, the two Ferrari’s were pulling away indicating that they are carrying not too much fuel on board their cars. Williams meanwhile made short work of Nick Heidfeld and his slower machine, dropping the German to 5th place again. After an encouraging but retirement filled year so far, Kimi Raikkonen retired for the 5th time in a row, as his Mercedes engine expired from 7th place.

No sooner had the Finn jumped out of his car and began to think how he’d get home to Finland, Felipe Massa was another man out of luck. Suspension damage to the rear of the car had spoiled a very impressive Austrian debut for the young Brazilian. Up at the front, the Ferrari’s were continuing to dominate, with Barrichello actually out pacing Michael Schumacher as he began to eke out a lead – both are way ahead of the Williams though.

Having collided with Frentzen at turn 2, Jacques Villeneuve was making steady progress up the order and after lap 8 was up to an impressive 8th place and chasing down Mika Salo. Further back though, cars were beginning to feel the effects of the slippery track, as Yoong and Frentzen found out when they both had offs there, the German spinning round the wrong way.

Having qualified in 9th, much higher than he’s been for a while, Olivier Panis had dropped a few places due to a poor start, but he would go no further than lap 25, after a bizarre incident that would bring out the safety car for the first time. Panis’s Honda engine gave up the ghost in a plume of fire, causing the rear wheels to seize up and spin the BAR round and finish facing the wrong way on the home straight.

Many of the drivers, including Barrichello and Michael Schumacher decided to use this slow period to make the first of their two stops, one after the other. Such was their lead Barrichello was back out in 1st and Schumacher in 3rd place.

Such was the position, the Austrian officials took their time to move the stricken car, but after 4 laps the safety car peeled in – only to have to come out immediately after!

Just two corners into the race again and there was a sudden screech, plumes of smoke and flying carbon fibre. There had been a massive accident involving the Sauber of Nick Heidfeld and the Jordan of Takuma Sato. The field, now bunched up, had gone into the tight Remus Kurve, but Nick Heidfeld’s rear wheels had locked, which sent the car sideways and backwards over the grass and straight into Takuma Sato accelerating out of the corner. The impact was violent, prompting the safety car and medical car to come out of the pit lane. The cars slowed down as medics treated the drivers. Heidfeld climbed out of his car, albeit with a bit of help, although it was Sato stuck in his car and attracting attention.

After 8 laps of the safety car trundling around the track, Sato was lifted into an ambulance and rushed to the medical centre. It would be revealed later that Sato was not seriously hurt and that he was staying in Bratz hospital overnight for a check up.

With the race starting again, the order had been shuffled after many of the cars had made their mandatory pit stops, in a bid to get an advantage over those who hadn’t pitted. Having had to have a drive through penalty, for that incident with Frentzen, Villeneuve was once again on the move, passing Fisichella and Coulthard to move into 5th. However, he would have to drive hard if he were to pit again and come out ahead of the Fisichella, Coulthard, Button and Trulli battle behind him.

With his teammate already in the pits ready to go home, Eddie Irvine followed suit as his Jaguar limped into the pit lane to retire – Jaguar were still in trouble. Having lost a place to Villeneuve, 5th place David Coulthard was now beginning to feel the pressure from Jordan’s Giancarlo Fisichella. It was the first time Jordan had been running in the points, after an inspired fuel strategy that has moved him from 15th on the grid to 7th place. Indeed, Coulthard bowed to pressure and ran wide at the last corner, letting the yellow Honda-powered car through in 6th place.

Once again the action was happening thick and fast as Mark Webber has to serve a drive through penalty for blocking Mika Salo, a car that was lapping him. It wasn’t a good lap for the Italian/Australian team, as their second driver Alex Yoong, who had been way behind in last saw his engine go in a big way and forcing him onto the retirement list. Immediately after Jarno Trulli, having risen from 16th, to 8th was cruising across the track to retire from his 5th GP this year.

Having not pitted at all, the Williams boys were soon getting more fuel to last the end of the race. Ralf Schumacher, having run 3rd almost all the way, pitted first and came back out in 5th position, with Villeneuve and Montoya yet to pit. Indeed, Montoya soon trundled up the pit lane for more fuel, but surprisingly no tyres and got out in front of his German teammate to hold onto 3rd.

After getting up to 3rd place on the road, Jacques Villeneuve bowed to the inevitable and pitted for the second time, dropping him just behind the big 5th place battle, in 8th place.

But now all eyes were on Ferrari. Could Michael leapfrog Rubens? Will Ferrari force him to move over again, like last year? We’d soon find out. Both pitted in turn of each other, and Rubens Barrichello would be out ahead of Michael Schumacher once again and all set for only his second ever win.

As they entered the last lap, many were expecting to see the Brazilian come over the line, but what happened on that last lap was astounding. Coming out of the last corner, Rubens appeared to be slowing. Indeed, Michael raced through at the last moment to take his 5th victory of the year. The stunned crowds couldn’t believe it, and immediately boos and hisses could be heard across the 2.6 mile track. Once again Schumacher superiority had forced Rubens Barrichello to miss out on his second ever win, having dominated all weekend.

Nearly everyone in the arena believed the win was Barrichello’s, but instead it would be the German national anthem being tanoyed over the raucous crowds. Indeed, confusion reigned on the podium, with Schumacher forcing Rubens to have his moment, and take the winning trophy, but the victory was hollow and seemed meaningless.

Juan Pablo Montoya held on for a well-driven 3rd place, with his teammate Ralf Schumacher not far behind in 4th. In an impressive 5th, Giancarlo Fisichella brought joy for Jordan after a pointless season so far and a difficult day, which could result in the team searching for another driver for the next race. Having won the race last year, David Coulthards performance wont go down as his best, but it was a point for the team. In 7th place, a disappointing day for Jenson Button and Renault. Having spent a lot of time on our TV screens in the past few races as they dice for points, Austria will be a race they’ll want to forget. Having pushed his Honda engine to the limit and showing flashes of brilliance that made him 1997 champion, Jacques Villeneuve failed to make the finish as his engine had run out of puff on the final lap.

Just out of the points, Mika Salo and Allan McNish brought both Toyota’s home, proving their reliability, but could have scored, if not for being caught out after the safety car period. After a very topsy-turvy race, Heinz Harald Frentzen piloted his Arrows to 10th place. Way back in last and lapped 4 times, Mark Webber capped off an ‘off the pace’ weekend for Minardi, although once again a car had finished.

THE RESULTS

1- M SCHUMACHER (FERRARI)
2- R BARRICHELLO (FERRARI)
3- JP MONTOYA (WILLIAMS)
4- R SCHUAMCHER (WILLIAMS)
5- G FISICHELLA (JORDAN)
6- D COULTHARD (MCLAREN)
7- J BUTTON (RENAULT)
8- M SALO (TOYOTA)
9- A MCNISH (TOYOTA)
10- HH FRENTZEN (ARROWS)
11- M WEBBER (MINARDI)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1- M SCHUMACHER (54)
2- JP MONTOYA (27)
3- R SCHUMACHER (20)
4- R BARRICHELLO (12)
5- D COULTHARD (10)
6- J BUTTON (8)
7- N HEIDFELD (5)
8- K RAIKKONEN (4)
9- E IRVINE (3)
10- F MASSA (3)
11- M WEBBER (2)
12- G FISICHELLA (2)
13- HH FRENTZEN (1)

So this was a great race, spoiled by Ferrari, whose preference for Schumacher shone through today. However, it did highlight some stunning performances by Fisichella and Barrichello.

Very disappointing

Thanks for reading

SOLEX/OLLIE

(P.S My complete op, wouldn't fit on here, so sorry)

 

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