2002 Australian Grand Prix

The 2002 Australian Grand Prix, officially known as the LXVII Foster's Australian Grand Prix was the opening round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, which took place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, on 3 March 2002.'Australian GP, 2002', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr681.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019) The race would see defending Champion Michael Schumacher claim victory for , after a spectacular collision at the start removed two of his rivals.
There had been several high profile changes to the field over the winter, with the notable addition of to the field, with the Japanese manufacturer hiring Mika Salo and Allan McNish to race for them. They replaced the out-going team, while completed their take over of , marking their return to the F1 field as a constructor for the first time since the 1985 Australian Grand Prix.
Elsewhere, two-time Champion Mika Häkkinen had opted to take a "sabbatical" for the foreseeable future, prompting to sign Kimi Räikkönen to their squad. His seat at was subsequently taken by junior driver Felipe Massa, while Mark Webber and Takuma Sato would also make their F1 debuts at and respectively.
However, when it came to qualifying it would be the two Ferraris that dominated the field as they had in , with Rubens Barrichello taking pole ahead of Schumacher. Almost half a second then followed before Ralf Schumacher appeared in third on the grid for , while David Coulthard of McLaren completed the second row ahead of his new teammate.
All of that would be overshadowed at the start of the race itself, for Ralf Schumacher made a stunning start to streak ahead of his brother and challenge Barrichello for the lead. However, the Brazilian would catch both himself and the #5 Williams pilot out at the first corner, braking earlier than expected right in-front of the German's car.
Schumacher was subsequently catapulted over the back of the Ferrari, getting airborne before crashing down in the barriers a 100m away, while Barrichello slid to a stop in the middle of the circuit. The rest of the field took avoiding action, until Giancarlo Fisichella caused a multi-car pile-up when he jinked into the path of Nick Heidfeld.
Ten drivers were suddenly seen sprinting back to the pit lane, anticipating that the race would be stopped given the amount of damaged equipment abandoned on circuit and hence allow them to start in their spare cars. However, with no injury concerns race director Charlie Whiting instead opted to cover the clear-up of the circuit under the Safety Car, and hence meant that none of the ten drivers could rejoin.
On-track, meanwhile, the chaos of the start had resulted in Coulthard leading from Jarno Trulli, Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Schumacher, while Räikkönen made a long stop to have debris removed from his car. He rejoined at the back of the field in time for the restart, which came at the start of lap five.
Coulthard duly aced the restart to claim an early lead, while Schumacher pounced on a slide from Montoya to grab third. Trulli subsequently put up a ferocious defence of second until lap nine, when he slid onto oil at Jones Corner and slammed into the barriers prompting another safety car period.
Two laps later and the race resumed, with Coulthard initially able to break away, only to miss a gear into Prost corner and slide onto the grass. Schumacher duly swept past to the claim the lead as the Scot tumbled to fifth, with Montoya and Räikkönen completing the top three.
That, ultimately, was how it stayed at the head of the field, with Schumacher able to eek out an eighteen second lead by the end of the race as he claimed victory. Montoya duly claimed second ahead of Räikkönen, who secured his maiden podium finish, with Eddie Irvine, Australian born Webber, and Salo claiming the remaining points.
==Background==
Heading into the first round of the 2002 season, many teams stuck with the same lineup that they had in 2001. With the only real change being Kimi Räikkönen heading to with him replacing Mika Häkkinen. In the constructors area, debut in the F1 as the development of the previous year.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2001 	 	050 3.0 V10 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2001 	 	050 3.0 V10 	
3 	David Coulthard 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-17 	 	FO 110M 3.0 V10 	
4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-17 	 	FO 110M 3.0 V10 	
5 	Ralf Schumacher 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW24 	 	P82 3.0 V10 	
6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW24 	 	P82 3.0 V10 	
7 	Nick Heidfeld 	Sauber Petronas 	 	C21 	 	02A 3.0 V10 	
8 	Felipe Massa 	Sauber Petronas 	 	C21 	 	02A 3.0 V10 	
9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	DHL Jordan Honda 	 	EJ12 	 	RA002E 3.0 V10 	
10 	Takuma Sato 	DHL Jordan Honda 	 	EJ12 	 	RA002E 3.0 V10 	
11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	004 	 	RA002E 3.0 V10 	
12 	Olivier Panis 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	004 	 	RA002E 3.0 V10 	
14 	Jarno Trulli 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R202 	 	RS22 3.0 V10 	
15 	Jenson Button 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R202 	 	RS22 3.0 V10 	
16 	Eddie Irvine 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R3 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R3 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
20 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Orange Arrows 	 	A23 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
21 	Enrique Bernoldi 	Orange Arrows 	 	A23 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
22 	Alex Yoong 	KL Minardi Asiatech 	 	PS02 	 	AT02 3.0 V10 	
23 	Mark Webber 	KL Minardi Asiatech 	 	PS02 	 	AT02 3.0 V10 	
24 	Mika Salo 	Panasonic Toyota Racing 	 	TF102 	 	RVX-02 3.0 V10 	
25 	Allan McNish 	Panasonic Toyota Racing 	 	TF102 	 	RVX-02 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Qualifying Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:25.843 	— 	222.392 km/h
2 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:25.848 	+0.005s 	222.379 km/h
3 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:26.279 	+0.436s 	221.268 km/h
4 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	1:26.446 	+0.603s 	220.841 km/h
5 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:27.161 	+1.318s 	219.029 km/h
6 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:27.249 	+1.406s 	218.808 km/h
7 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:27.710 	+1.867s 	217.658 km/h
8 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:27.869 	+2.026s 	217.264 km/h
9 	8 	Felipe Massa 	 	1:27.972 	+2.129s 	217.010 km/h
10 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:28.232 	+2.389s 	216.370 km/h
11 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	1:28.361 	+2.518s 	216.055 km/h
12 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:28.381 	+2.538s 	216.006 km/h
13 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:28.657 	+2.814s 	215.333 km/h
14 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	1:29.205 	+3.362s 	214.010 km/h
15 	20 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:29.474 	+3.631s 	213.367 km/h
16 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	1:29.636 	+3.793s 	212.981 km/h
17 	21 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	1:29.738 	+3.895s 	212.739 km/h
18 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	1:30.086 	+4.243s 	211.918 km/h
19 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:30.113 	+4.270s 	211.854 km/h
20 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:30.192 	+4.349s 	211.668 km/h
21 	22 	Alex Yoong 	 	1:31.504 	+5.661s 	208.634 km/h
107% Time: 1:31.851 	107% Time: 1:31.851 	107% Time: 1:31.851 	107% Time: 1:31.851 	107% Time: 1:31.851 	107% Time: 1:31.851 	107% Time: 1:31.851
NC* 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	1:53.351 	+27.508s 	168.422 km/h
Source:'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/720/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/720/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/720/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/720/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/720/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/720/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/720/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
** Sato was allowed to start despite failing to set a time within 107% of pole at the stewards' discretion.
===Grid===
** Frentzen and Bernoldi started the race from the pit lane in their spare cars.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	58 	1:35:36.792 	2 	10
2 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	58 	+18.628 	6 	6
3 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	58 	+25.067 	5 	4
4 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	57 	+1 Lap 	19 	3
5 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	56 	+2 Laps 	18 	2
6 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	56 	+2 Laps 	14 	1
7 	22 	Alex Yoong 	 	55 	+3 Laps 	21 	
8 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	53 	+5 Laps 	20 	
Ret 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	33 	Gearbox 	4 	
Ret 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	27 	Rear Wing 	13 	
DSQ* 	20T 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	16 	Disqualified 	15 	
DSQ* 	21T 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	15 	Disqualified 	17 	
Ret 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	12 	Electrical 	22 	
Ret 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	8 	Accident 	7 	
Ret 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	0 	Collision 	1 	
Ret 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	0 	Collision 	3 	
Ret 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	0 	Collision 	8 	
Ret 	8 	Felipe Massa 	 	0 	Collision 	9 	
Ret 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	0 	Collision 	10 	
Ret 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	0 	Collision 	11 	
Ret 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	0 	Collision 	12 	
Ret 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	0 	Collision 	16 	
Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Frentzen and Bernoldi were disqualified for ignoring a red light in the pit lane and changing to their spare cars during the race without permission from the officials.
==Milestones==
* First Grand Prix start for as a constructor since the 1985 Australian Grand Prix.
* Debut race for as a constructor and engine supplier.'1. Australia 2002', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/australie.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
* Jacques Villeneuve started his 100th Grand Prix.
* Debut race for Felipe Massa, Allan McNish, Takuma Sato and Mark Webber.'2002 Australian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2002&gp=Australian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
* 54th career victory for Michael Schumacher.
* claimed their 145th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Kimi Räikkönen claimed his first podium finish.
** The Finn also recorded his maiden fastest lap.
* Maiden points finish for Webber.
** This was also the first points finish for since the 1999 European Grand Prix.
* Mika Salo scored the first points for Toyota as a constructor.
** Toyota became the first constructor since in 1993 to claim points on their debut.
==Standings==
For a third season in succession defending Champion Michael Schumacher opened his title defence with victory in Australia, and hence left the opening round of the season at the head of the field. Juan Pablo Montoya, meanwhile, would start the season with a second place ahead of Kimi Räikkönen, while Eddie Irvine appeared in the top five for the first time since leaving . Completing the first round scorers were Mark Webber and Mika Salo.
Ferrari had claimed victory and the Championship lead at the opening round for a fourth successive season courtesy of Schumacher, and hence started the season on ten points. were next ahead of , while , and had also registered points. For Minardi it was also a significant first points score since the 1999 European Grand Prix.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	10 	
2 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	6 	
3 	Kimi Räikkönen 	4 	
4 	Eddie Irvine 	3 	
5 	Mark Webber 	2 	
6 	Mika Salo 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	10 	
2 	 	6 	
3 	 	4 	
4 	 	3 	
5 	 	2 	
6 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
es:Gran Premio de Australia de 2002
Category:2002 Grands Prix
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Australian Grand Prix