Michael Schumacher started the 2001 Formula 1 season in style, winning the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix for Ferrari. The third round of the World Championship was the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Coulthard Wins Brazilian Grand Prix for McLaren
There were two Schumachers on the front row of the grid at Interlagos, with Michael ahead of his younger brother Ralf. Mika Hakkinen was the fastest McLaren driver in third, followed by Juan-Pablo Montoya, David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello.
Montoya made a flying start and slotted into second place behind Michael Schumacher. Hakkinen didn’t start at all, as his McLaren failed to leave the grid. The safety car rounded everyone up while the stricken car was removed and, at the re-start, Montoya pulled off a sensation pass on Michael Schumacher to take the lead.
For a long time it looked as though Montoya was on course to score his first grand Prix win at only hid third attempt. That was until he came up to lap Jos Verstappen’s Arrows. After passing the Dutchman Montoya moved back onto the racing line, but Verstappen misjudged his breaking and rammed the Williams, ending both of their races.
The accident left Coulthard leading from Michael Schumacher, and then it started to rain. The Ferrari driver regained the lead but was eventually re-passed by Coulthard who went on to take the win. Nick Heidfeld was a lap behind in third, followed by BAR driver Olivier Panis, Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella.
Ralf Schumacher Wins San Marino Grand Prix
McLaren drivers Coulthard and Hakkinen made the front row their own at Imola, with the Scotsman on pole. They were surprised at the start by Ralf Schumacher’s lightning getaway from third place, which saw him take the lead from Coulthard. Try as he might the McLaren driver could not get the better of the Williams for the rest of the Grand Prix, and Ralf Schumacher won by over four seconds. Barrichello was third in the only surviving Ferrari, after Michael Schumacher dropped out with mechanical trouble. Hakkinen came home fourth, followed over the line by Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
Agony for Hakkinen in Spanish Grand Prix
After starting from pole Michael Schumacher led much of the Spanish Grand Prix, but Hakkinen was never far behind. Finally, at the second round of pit stops the Finn was able to get ahead. He started the final lap of the race, but never completed it, retiring with a clutch failure. A grateful Michael Schumacher swept by to take an undeserved win, while Montoya stood on a Formula 1 podium for the first time after finishing second. Jacques Villeneuve was third, ahead of Trulli, Coulthard (who started from the back of the grid) and Heidfeld.
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