2001 Japanese Grand Prix

The 2001 Japanese Grand Prix, otherwise known as the XXVII Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix (XXVII フジテレビ日本グランプリ in Japanese), was the seventeenth and final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, Japan, on 14 October 2001.'Japanese GP, 2001', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr680.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher sweep to a dominant ninth victory of the season ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya, having originally intended to hand the lead to teammate Rubens Barrichello.
Qualifying for the season finale had seen Schumacher claim pole position, his eleventh of the season, ahead of Montoya's . Ralf Schumacher was third on the grid ahead of Barrichello, who was bidding to finish as runner-up in the Championship, with the two split by Giancarlo Fisichella.
The start of the race saw a lot of discussion about the first corner, which had a history of collisions between aggressive drivers. Indeed, the most widespread expectation was pole sitter Schumacher would make an aggressive lunge to the inside to prevent Montoya from diving inside him into the first corner, potentially causing them to trip over each other.
That, ultimately, would be partially realised when the race did start, with the #1 Ferrari darting across the nose of the #6 Williams to claim the lead. Yet, Montoya had the common sense to avoid getting entangled in a fight with the Ferrari, and hence settled into second ahead of Ralf Schumacher and Barrichello.
As such it was down to Barrichello to provide some early entertainment, the Brazilian having gone for an aggressive three-stop strategy in his bid for victory. He duly scythed past the two Williams, including a daring dive inside Ralf Schumacher on the inside of 130R, before chasing off after Michael Schumacher ahead.
Indeed, as Barrichello battled the #1 Ferrari had simply disappeared at the head of the field, pulling out an eight second lead before the end of lap three. Barrichello steadily closed on his two-stopping teammate, although he was forced to make his first stop on lap fifteen, rejoining in seventh.
The Brazilian would once again find himself battling his way up the order, although this time he was aided by the fact that his opponents were beginning to pit for their first stops. He duly climbed back to third behind Montoya before his second stop, dropping back to sixth, before again battling into the top three during the second round of stops.
There would be some other changes to the order amid the Barrichello yo-yo battle, with the McLarens ultimately emerging in fourth and fifth, with David Coulthard crucially ahead of Mika Häkkinen. That meant that even if Barrichello won the race the Scot would finish in second in the Championship, despite starting the final race outside of the points.
Things only got better for the Scot when Barrichello's third and final stop dumped the Brazilian down to fifth, with the #2 Ferrari left with too much of gap between himself and the McLarens. Out front, meanwhile, Michael Schumacher was left unopposed at the head of the field, maintaining a ten second gap between himself and Montoya in second.
With that the race was run, in-spite of Montoya setting a series of quick laps in the final stages to reduce the gap to Schumacher. Regardless, it was the German ace who claimed the final win of the season by three seconds from the Colombian, while Coulthard secured the runner-up spot in the Championship by completing the podium. The remaining points were split between Häkkinen, making his final F1 appearance before a "sabbatical", Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher.
==Background==
Michael Schumacher moved onto 113 points at the head of the Championship as a result of the US Grand Prix, having once again enhanced his title winning margin. David Coulthard, meanwhile, had all but secured second, although the Scot could fall behind third placed Rubens Barrichello if the Brazilian claimed victory in Japan. Behind, Ralf Schumacher was set to finish either fourth or third, while Mika Häkkinen had moved back into the top five with his win.
In the Constructors Championship had seen their title winning margin reduced in Indianapolis, despite moving onto 167 points for the campaign. Indeed, had inched closer to their out-of-sight rivals, although they had, more significantly, secured second in the Championship with a race to spare. had slipped 22 points behind ahead of the finale in Japan, so would have to settle for third despite having the strongest engine in the field. 
===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 	Mika Häkkinen 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-16 	 	FO 110K 3.0 V10 	
4 	David Coulthard 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-16 	 	FO 110K 3.0 V10 	
5 	Ralf Schumacher 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW23 	 	P80 3.0 V10 	
6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW23 	 	P80 3.0 V10 	
7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B201 	 	RS21 3.0 V10 	
8 	Jenson Button 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B201 	 	RS21 3.0 V10 	
9 	Olivier Panis 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	003 	 	RA001E 3.0 V10 	
10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	003 	 	RA001E 3.0 V10 	
11 	Jarno Trulli 	B&H Jordan Honda 	 	EJ11 	 	RA001E 3.0 V10 	
12 	Jean Alesi 	B&H Jordan Honda 	 	EJ11 	 	RA001E 3.0 V10 	
14 	Jos Verstappen 	Orange Arrows Asiatech 	 	A22 	 	001 3.0 V10 	
15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	Orange Arrows Asiatech 	 	A22 	 	001 3.0 V10 	
16 	Nick Heidfeld 	Red Bull Sauber Petronas 	 	C20 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	Red Bull Sauber Petronas 	 	C20 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
18 	Eddie Irvine 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R2 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
19 	Pedro de la Rosa 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R2 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
20 	Alex Yoong 	European Minardi F1 	 	PS01B 	 	European 3.0 V10 	
21 	Fernando Alonso 	European Minardi F1 	 	PS01 	 	European 3.0 V10 	
22 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Prost Grand Prix 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
23 	Tomáš Enge 	Prost Grand Prix 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)
==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 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:32.484 	— 	228.260 km/h
2 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:33.184 	+0.700s 	226.545 km/h
3 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:33.297 	+0.813s 	226.271 km/h
4 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:33.323 	+0.839s 	226.208 km/h
5 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:33.662 	+1.178s 	225.389 km/h
6 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:33.830 	+1.346s 	224.986 km/h
7 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	1:33.916 	+1.432s 	224.780 km/h
8 	11 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:34.002 	+1.518s 	224.574 km/h
9 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	1:34.375 	+1.891s 	223.686 km/h
10 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:34.386 	+1.902s 	223.660 km/h
11 	12 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:34.420 	+1.936s 	223.580 km/h
12 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:34.581 	+2.097s 	223.199 km/h
13 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:34.851 	+2.367s 	222.564 km/h
14 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:35.109 	+2.625s 	221.960 km/h
15 	22 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:35.132 	+2.648s 	221.906 km/h
16 	19 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:35.639 	+3.155s 	220.730 km/h
17 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:35.766 	+3.282s 	220.437 km/h
18 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:36.410 	+3.926s 	218.965 km/h
19 	23 	Tomáš Enge 	 	1:36.446 	+3.962s 	218.883 km/h
20 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	1:36.885 	+4.401s 	217.891 km/h
21 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:36.973 	+4.489s 	217.694 km/h
22 	20 	Alex Yoong 	 	1:38.246 	+5.762s 	214.873 km/h
107% Time: 1:38.958 	107% Time: 1:38.958 	107% Time: 1:38.958 	107% Time: 1:38.958 	107% Time: 1:38.958 	107% Time: 1:38.958 	107% Time: 1:38.958
Source:'Japan 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)'2001 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/719/japan/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)'2001 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/719/japan/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)'2001 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/719/japan/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)'2001 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/719/japan/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)'2001 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/719/japan/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)'2001 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/719/japan/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)'2001 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/719/japan/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 12/11/2019)
*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.
===Grid===
** Bernoldi and Yoong started the race from the pit lane.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	53 	1:27:33.298 	1 	10
2 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	53 	+3.154s 	2 	6
3 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	53 	+23.262s 	7 	4
4 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	53 	+35.539s 	5 	3
5 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	53 	+36.544s 	4 	2
6 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	53 	+37.122s 	3 	1
7 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	53 	+1:37.102 	9 	
8 	11 	Jarno Trulli 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	8 	
9 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	10 	
10 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	14 	
11 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	18 	
12 	22 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	15 	
13 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	17 	
14 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	PL 	
15 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	21 	
16 	20 	Alex Yoong 	 	50 	+3 Laps 	PL 	
17 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	47 	Gearbox 	6 	
Ret 	19 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	45 	Oil leak 	16 	
Ret 	23 	Tomáš Enge 	 	42 	Brakes 	19 	
Ret 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	24 	Fuel rig 	13 	
Ret 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	5 	Collision 	12 	
Ret 	12 	Jean Alesi 	 	5 	Collision 	11 	
Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)	Source:'Japan 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 201st and final Grand Prix start for Jean Alesi.'17. Japan 2001', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/japon.aspx, (Accessed 12/11/2019)
* Mika Häkkinen started his 161st and final Grand Prix.
* Third and final Grand Prix for Tomáš Enge.
* attended their 260th and final Grand Prix as a constructor.
* 83rd and final Grand Prix for as a constructor.
* started their 50th Grand Prix as a constructor.
* Michael Schumacher claimed his 53rd victory.
** Schumacher also set a new record for most points scored in a single season - 123.'2001 Japanese GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2001&gp=Japanese%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 12/11/2019)
** The German ace also set a new record for most points scoring finishes in a season - 15.
* secured their 144th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
** Ferrari also set a new record for most drivers and constructors points scores in a season - 28.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher rounded out the FIA Formula One World Championship with a ninth victory and a record 123 point haul, which also resulted in him taking the title by the largest ever margin. Indeed, runner-up David Coulthard ended the season some 58 points off of the German ace, but outscored Rubens Barrichello by nine to claim his best ever Championship finish. Behind, Ralf Schumacher ended the season in fourth ahead of Mika Häkkinen, with eighteen drivers having registered points across the campaign.
In the Constructors Championship would end their third straight title winning campaign on 179 points, which also translated into a huge winning margin. Rivals ended the season 77 points behind the Italian squad in second, although they did have a seemingly comfortable 22 point margin over in third. Elsewhere, and completed the top five, while and left the series in seventh and ninth respectively.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	123 	
2 	David Coulthard 	65 	
3 	Rubens Barrichello 	56 	
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	49 	
5 	Mika Häkkinen 	37 	
6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	31 	
7 	Jacques Villeneuve 	12 	
8 	Nick Heidfeld 	12 	
9 	Jarno Trulli 	12 	
10 	Kimi Räikkönen 	9 	
11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	8 	
12 	Eddie Irvine 	6 	
13 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	6 	
14 	Olivier Panis 	5 	
15 	Jean Alesi 	5 	
16 	Pedro de la Rosa 	3 	
17 	Jenson Button 	2 	
18 	Jos Verstappen 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	179 	
2 	 	102 	
3 	 	80 	
4 	 	21 	
5 	 	19 	
6 	 	17 	
7 	 	10 	
8 	 	9 	
9 	 	4 	
10 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:2001 Grands Prix
Category:Japanese Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Japan