2001 Italian Grand Prix Race Report
tifosi packed grandstands and paddock, were unusually calm before the start, with everyone's thoughts elsewhere. Shortly before the off, there was an obvious commotion involving Michael Schumacher. Concerned with a repeat of last years tragic opening lap - when fire marshal Paolo Ghislimberti lost his life, Schumacher was hell-bent on securing a unanimous verdict that no-one should overtake into the first two chicanes. "After what happened last year, we had a meeting this morning and it was decided after the start that there would be no overtaking over the first two chicanes," said Schumacher. Though many agreed with the proposal, for a few, such strategies were untenable. "I'm a racing driver and I'm going to race," declared Villeneuve. With the majority of team members against the idea, Mike Gascoyne - technical director of Benetton, gave his opinion: "We are here to race, we are a racing team. If we have safety issues we have flags to deal with that. We have come to this circuit, we are a professional team here to do a professional job and that is what we have informed our drivers. We will race the cars."
After some debate, the drivers agreed - as it should do, that racing would commence from the moment the lights went out. When they did go out, it was Montoya who lead the field into the first chicane followed by Barrichello and the Schumacher brothers - with Ralf ahead of Michael. Up from 11th on the grid - and full of ambition, Jenson Button out-braked himself - the Benetton subsequently clouting the luckless Trulli. Beached in the middle of the track, the Italian was out immediately and understandably angry with Jenson's move. "I made a good start and held my position," announced Trulli. "Unfortunately, I was hit by a car at the first chicane and I found out later that it was Button. I was already in the corner and he miscalculated his braking. There's nothing else I can say because, obviously, this is a huge disappointment."
The rest of the field having dodged the stranded Jordan, Schumacher's Ferrari challenged brother Ralf's Williams for third, and as they approached the first Lesmo, the champion took the inside line, brushed the grass, and duly took the position. Across the line for the first time, the order was Montoya, Barrichello, Schumacher M, Schumacher R, Coulthard, De la Rosa.
Lap 4 and with Montoya eight tenths
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