2001 German Grand Prix Race Report
closely pursued by Barrichello (1:39.682s) and the Sauber's of Heidfeld and Raikkonen. Rounding out the top ten were Pedro de la Rosa in the Jaguar and a disappointed Jarno Trulli in the Jordan.
It was clear on race day morning, and the warm-up session was hot. Displaying their advantage once more, Williams team mates Schumacher R and Montoya headed the time sheets ahead of Coulthard, Schumacher M, Barrichello and Hakkinen. Historically, stopping once has been the norm at Hockenheim, yet there was no doubt some drivers would be planning to stop twice - reliability permitting.
To the start then - and what drama it was too. Montoya got away well and lead Schumacher R into the first turn whilst behind, Michael Schumacher's Ferrari slowed with gear selection problems. With cars avoiding the German on both sides, Luciano Burti's line of vision was momentarily blocked and he subsequently ran into the defending champion. It was a colossal impact which saw the Brazilian vault over the top of the Ferrari, and mercifully miss the Arrows of Enrique Bernoldi by mere inches. "It happened so fast." explained Luciano. "I could not see Michael at all. When I saw him it was too late to avoid the crash. I think the accident looked worse on TV than what I experienced in my car and luckily I am not injured." The Safety Car having been deployed, the field trundled through the debris littering the start line and a few moments later, the decision to red flag the race was taken, albeit controversially. With thousands of German supporters in shock at Michael's exit, the grandstands erupted upon their hero being thrown a lifeline. After the race itself, Coulthard was circumspect in his opinion of the situation, perhaps gearing his comments towards favouritism of Ferrari - "It's so unusual to have a red flag now," he declared. "Especially when a driver is unhurt. I find it - with the limited information I have at the moment - difficult to accept."
The track now clean again, the drivers lined up to take the re-start some twenty five minutes later and when the lights went out, it was Montoya who lead the field into the first turn. Down to the first chicane, and it was every man for himself. The top drivers all making it through without incident, Pedro de la Rosa out braked himself and clouted Nick Heidfeld's Sauber. "We all make
Latest Articles