  
| ||||
 |
| This GP needed to be won, and the pressure was very evident. |
 |
| The Brickyard, and Barrichello blasts by. |
 |
| The hyped circuit was a bore but the race was enthralling. |
 |
| Michael squeezes past Coulthard having been a little too blatantly blocked. |
 |
| Ross Brawn played a strong role in the strategy of both drivers. |
 |
| The Ferrari crew could not have wished for anything better. |
GRAND
PRIX : Indianapolis : Ferraris Regain Control The hype about the track and its one banked corner almost overshadowed
the fact that the World Championship was approaching its exciting climax.
With three races to go Michael Schumacher was just two points behind
Mika Hakkinen, with Barrichello and Coulthard having fallen out of contention
following their retirement at the Italian Grand Prix.
Qualifying went reasonably well for the Ferraris and Schumacher set
a series of fastest laps to claim pole position. Initially Barrichello
was second quickest but a late effort by the two McLarens, including
a well-executed slipstream manoeuvre, put Coulthard alongside Schumacher
on the front row with Hakkinen one place back.. There was inevitable
nervousness that Coulthard might use his front row position to spoil
Schumacher's race in favour of team-mate Hakkinen.
The start dealt a serious blow to McLarens chances when Coulthard,
caught out by a dragging clutch, rolled forward and inevitably brought
a 10-second penalty upon himself. For several laps, however, Coulthard
mischievously blocked Schumacher behind him and enabled Hakkinen to
catch up. In a risky manoeuvre during which the two cars touched Schumacher
went by Coulthard who then pulled into the pits for his penalty and
put himself out of contention for the remainder of the race.
Hakkinen's too-early pit stop to change from wets to dries played fully
into Schumacher's hands - he stayed out for seven more laps and built
up a lead of 16 seconds by the time both had finished their first pit
stops.
It then became clear that the McLaren was much quicker in a straight
line and a Spa-type embarrassment appeared on the cards as Hakkinen
easily reduced the lead to less than 4 seconds. On lap 25, however,
there was relief for the Ferrari team as Hakkinen's Ilmor engine destroyed
itself and the McLaren retired.
In the first half of the race Barrichello fell further and further
back handicapped by a heavy fuel load and a very early stop for dry
tyres. As conditions improved he speeded up enormously and some slick
pit work had him move into third by lap 43 and into second by lap 57,
where he stayed until the end.
Schumacher's spin four laps before the chequered flag was the last
remaining moment of excitement in what had already been an enthralling
race.
This result gives Schumacher an eight point lead over Hakkinen, with
two more events remaining. If Schumacher wins in Japan then even with
Hakkinen second the Championship is decided in favour of the Ferrari
driver. However, modern GP racing, much to Bernie's relief, has a knack
of going down to the final wire. Therefore expect to see the final showdown
take place in Malaysia.
Jean Todt: "This is Ferrari's eighth victory of the season and
the seventh for Michael. In terms of wins and also with 143 points this
is an outright record for the team in one season. A day like this makes
you think even more about the championships, but we know that even if
there are only two races remaining, the road ahead will still be long
and difficult. It was a fantastic race from start to finish with both
Michael and Rubens producing a great performance. Michael always makes
us nervous when he has a big lead but we know him well by now. He's
like that. He finds it hard to drive slowly! I am very happy for the
team, for the preparation work they did, for the job they accomplished
during the race and for the way they reacted in the most difficult moments.
Now we must keep our concentration and our feet on the ground. We start
work again tomorrow to be absolutely ready for Japan and Malaysia."
Michael Schumacher: "This is really, really nice! It is the
first time we have come here and I did not expect such a reception from
the American fans. Another one-two for Ferrari is just the best. After
the start, we knew that Coulthard might have a penalty, but I had to
pass him as he was slowing me. Of course that was done so that Mika
could catch me, which is fair enough as they are team mates. I think
he tried a bit too hard to stop me and we touched. In the early stages
I was concentrating on saving my tyres. I was in front when Mika went
out and I believe I could have stayed there if he had continued. We
beat them fair and square. As for my spin, I wasn't concentrating because
I was cruising after the team told me to slow down. I got caught out
on some wet grass which spun me round. Ross Brawn told me on the radio
to concentrate and I replied that I was awake now. As for the championship,
I refuse to believe in it until it is over. Now we must concentrate
and work hard for the next two races. Of course this is a good position
to be in as I can finish twice second and still win the championship
on the number of wins. But I prefer to win the next race. Now I am heading
back to Italy and will be testing on Thursday and Friday."
Rubens Barrichello: "I am very happy for myself and for the
team after this good result. It was great to see so many Brazilian and
Ferrari flags in the grandstands. In the early part of the race I found
I had too much oversteer on the rain tyres and so I called for dry ones
on the radio. I had a lot of fuel on board and the car was quite difficult
to drive at that point. I made my pit stop a bit too early, maybe five
laps, but as I was on a long run I knew I would get my chance later.
When I saw Mika stop, I knew I had to push hard to try and get the best
possible result for the team and give them sixteen points. Although
my car was quick, I had a bit too much wing which made it hard to pass
Heinz-Harald, but when he pitted I got my chance."
USA, 24.9.00
RACE RESULTS
The United States Grand Prix
Indiana, Indianapolis;
73 laps; 306.235km;
Weather: damp, windy.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team
1. M.Schumacher Ferrari 1H36:30.883
2. Barrichello Ferrari + 12.118
3. Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda + 17.368
4. Villeneuve BAR Honda + 17.935
5. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes + 28.813
6. Zonta BAR Honda + 51.694
7. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth + 1:11.105
8. Diniz Sauber Petronas + 1 Lap
9. Heidfeld Prost Peugeot + 1 Lap
10. Wurz Benetton Playlife + 1 Lap
11. Herbert Jaguar Cosworth + 1 Lap
12. Gene Minardi Fondmetal + 1 Lap
Fastest Lap: D.Coulthard, 1:14.711
Not Classified/Retirements:
Driver Team On Lap Reason
Alesi Prost Peugeot 64 - engine
Mazzacane Minardi Fondmetal 59 - engine
R.Schumacher Williams BMW 58 - pneumatics
de la Rosa Arrows Supertec 45 - gearbox
Fisichella Benetton Playlife 44 - engine
Verstappen Arrows Supertec 34 - accident
Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes 25 - engine
Salo Sauber Petronas 18 - spun off
Button Williams BMW 14 - engine
Trulli Jordan Mugen-Honda 12 - suspension
World Championship Standing, Round 15:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. M. Schumacher 88 1. Ferrari 143
2. Hakkinen 80 2. McLaren 133
3. Coulthard 63 3. Williams-BMW 34
4. Barrichello 55 4. Benetton-Playlife 20
5. R.Schumacher 24 5. Jordan-Mugen Honda 17
6. Fisichella 18 = BAR-Honda 17
7. Villeneuve 14 7. Arrows 7
8. Frentzen 11 8. Sauber 6
9. Button 10 9. Jaguar 3
10. Trulli 6
= Salo 6
12. Verstappen 5
13. Irvine 3
=. Zonta 3
15. de la Rosa 2
= Wurz 2
Acknowledgement: Race data by Atlas F1.
Click here to return to the Ferrari
Happenings page.
