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The first one was apparent even before the race started, namely that Ferraris' last year's car was still way superior to anything else in the field. The fact that an F2001 was at the head of every pre-race time sheet must have brought dismay to McLaren, Williams, Michelin and every non-Ferrari driver who had pretensions to winning a race this year. The all-Ferrari front row hammered the point home in no uncertain manner and one could be tempted to predict a complete Ferrari whitewash during the coming season. However, F1 is a game of many surprises so let us wait a little longer before predicting too many good things. The way Michael Schumacher disappeared into the distance, easily outrunning the Michelin-shod Montoya, made it a reasonable assumption that had Rubens Barrichello survived the first corner it would probably have been a Ferrari 1-2 result. Quite where the fault lay for Rubens' accident with Ralf Schumacher is difficult to determine. Barrichello certainly seemed to have taken a course in weaving and Ralf seemed particularly anxious to outbrake everyone, including himself, into that first corner. No less than nine cars retired as a result and, with the two Arrows failing to take the start it was difficult to understand why the organisers failed to spot a trick and re-start the race with everyone back on the grid in their spare cars. As it was, the melée was cleared up under the Safety Car procedure with Coulthard in front followed by Trulli, Montoya and then Schumacher. At the re-start MS first slipped by Montoya and then pressured the baulking Trulli into a spin which brought out the Safety Car for the second time. Incomprehensibly Coulthard then spun off before the re-start, which put Michael into the lead as the lights went back to green. This, however, lasted barely 100 yards before Montoya slipped through, although it took the Ferrari just five laps to catch and re-pass the Williams. From there on it was all plain sailing to the finish. The second main feature of the Grand Prix? It was undoubtedly the triumph of the lesser teams. Toyota's Mika Salo surprised everyone by gaining his team's first Championship point on its first outing. Both Toyotas went much better than expected. Even more unexpected was Eddie Irvine's fourth place in the truly awful Jaguar, both of which had started almost dead last on the grid. How Ford must be rueing the day they become involved and how Jackie Stewart must be laughing on his daily trips to the bank to check his balance. The biggest shout of all, however, had to go to Paul Stoddart's tiny Minardi team which, with Australian F1 debutant Mark Weber on board, finished in a stunning fifth place to gain two Championship points and probably some $10 million worth of travel benefits when the 2002 season is finally totted up. Team mate Alex Yoong finished seventh, having run in a points-earning sixth for a long time until caught by Salo. Our congratulations to Michael and to Mark, champions both of this Grand Prix. Jean Todt: " Things went well for us right from Friday and we had two cars on the front row. It was a very chaotic start, with around half the field wiped out. We lost Rubens, while Michael went off at the first corner in fourth place. Michael drove a fantastic race, fighting his way to the front before building up a good lead, leaving the others struggling to match his pace. This victory is the result of a great performance from Michael, the team and the car, as well as the exceptional Bridgestone tyres. It was important to start the season like this. I must say we did not expect to be this far ahead with the F2001. Now we head back to Maranello for an intensive week of testing, working on development of the F2002 and tyres. ” Michael Schumacher: “The start of the race could have been a lot better! But for me this was the ideal start to the season, although a one-two finish would have been preferable for the team. I didn’t see everything at the start, except that cars were flying everywhere. I was afraid to turn in for the first corner so I went straight on over the grass. It was the right decision to avoid being hit. It was an interesting fight with Juan; a straight battle with pretty equal cars. I lost a bit of ground after the first Safety Car, but Juan braked on oil at turn 3 and I could pass. Then Trulli always closed the door on me and I was worried because Juan was getting closer. At the second Safety Car, Juan ran wide and so did I, but he got a good run at me and passed me easily. When I got back the position, I went to the outside of the corner to get a better exit and it worked. Tyres influenced our battle as, at first I had trouble getting temperature into mine and then when mine were good, Juan’s went off. I did not think we could win here, but things change quickly and from the next race I expect it to be much closer. ” Rubens Barrichello: “These things happen in racing and it is a shame that Ralf and me finished out of the race immediately. At the start, I tried to defend my position and then I had to brake. I don’t think I did it too early. In fact I think, quite the opposite, I braked later than usual as I was worried something like this might happen. It was a heavy impact and I reckon Ralf was flat out. I don’t think he would have got round the corner. “
RACE RESULTS
Australian GP
Melbourne, Australia
58 laps. Weather: Overcast,dry.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team Time
1. M. Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1h35:36.792
2. Montoya Williams (M) + 0:18.628
3. Raikkonen McLaren (M) + 0:25.067
4. Irvine Jaguar (M) + 1 Lap
5. Webber Minardi (M) + 2 Laps
6. Salo Toyota (M) + 2 Laps
7. Yoong Minardi (M) + 3 Laps
8. de la Rosa Jaguar (M) + 5 Laps
World Championship Standing, Round 1:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. M.Schumacher 10 1. Ferrari 10
2. Montoya 6 2. Williams 6
3 Raikkonen 4 3. McLaren 4
4. Irvine 3 4. Jaguar 3
5. Webber 2 5. Minardi 2
6. Salo 1 6. Toyota 1
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Two
.phpects dominated this season's opening Grand Prix.
