2001 British Grand Prix Race Report
the gravel at Priory with right rear suspension failure as a result of his brush with Trulli. "This is a disappointing result," announced Coulthard. "I kept going but the suspension on the car was damaged and I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to retire. I had fantastic support here today and I'm disappointed I could just not deliver a result."
Lap 5, and now on the gearbox of Schumacher, Hakkinen pulled out of the German's slipstream on the exit of Copse and took the lead on the run down to the Becketts' complex. It was a neat move, aided by the Ferrari running wide out of the first turn - the defending champion seemingly struggling with oversteer. Now with a clear track in-front of him, Hakkinen began a series of stunning lap times - indicating he was indeed on a two-stop strategy, and as he completed the 11th tour, Schumacher was 12 seconds adrift. Seemingly content to play a waiting game, the Ferrari was soon under pressure from Montoya's Williams who, having shown his nose a few times, passed the German on lap 18 on the entry to Copse and take second place behind Hakkinen who's lead had grown to a commanding 20 seconds.
With the weather now looking consistent for the remainder of the afternoon, the first round of stops began on lap 20 with Raikkonen first to venture into the pits from 6th place. Stationary for 9.7s, the Sauber re-joined the track in 10th. Fellow countryman and race leader Hakkinen was in a lap later and after stopping for 8.1s, the Finn came out behind Montoya in second position. Heidfeld was next in for tyres and fuel, coming in from 6th, the German emerged in 10th place, half a second behind team mate Raikkonen. Running well in the Jordan, Frentzen was in on lap 24 and dropped behind the two Saubers with race leader Montoya stopping a lap later - re-joining in fifth place, behind Barrichello and team mate Schumacher R.
The first round of stops now complete, the order on lap 27 was Hakkinen, Schumacher M, Barrichello, Schumacher R, Montoya and Villeneuve who was coming under increasing pressure from the Sauber's. Lap 30 saw the first of the one-stoppers in with Jean Alesi dropping from 10th to 13th. Enduring another poor weekend in the Jaguar, Irvine was next in and after 9.6s, emerged still in
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