2001 Belgian Grand Prix

The LIX Foster's Belgian Grand Prix, otherwise known as the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix, was the fourteenth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa, Belgium, on the 2 September 2001.'Belgian GP, 2001', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr677.html, (Accessed 10/11/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher sweep to a record 52nd career victory, albeit in a race that was overshadowed by a scary accident for Luciano Burti on the entry to Blanchimont.
Qualifying had seen the two s battle for pole position, before Juan Pablo Montoya delivered a stunning lap to beat teammate Ralf Schumacher by 0.887s in drying track conditions. Michael Schumacher was next, but some 2.6 seconds slower than the Colombian racer, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen put his into a season best fourth place.
It ultimately proved to be a confusing start to the race, with the first start abandoned after Frentzen and Tarso Marques both stalled on the grid. Then, as the field prepared for a second formation lap pole sitter Montoya stalled and hence had to start from the back of the grid, effectively ending his latest bid for a maiden victory before it had even begun.
Once the race did get underway it was Ralf Schumacher who led into La Source, chased by his brother Michael and the second of Rubens Barrichello. Behind, Giancarlo Fisichella sliced his way up to fourth, while Jenson Button leapt into the top ten in the sister .
The rest of the opening lap saw Michael Schumacher charge past Ralf on the run through Les Combes, before sprinting away to build two second lead. That left the #5 Williams to fend off the attentions of Barrichello, while Fisichella tried to stay with the lead trio and keep away from the .
The early laps saw Michael Schumacher continue to ease away by two seconds a lap, while Ralf Schumacher managed to keep Brrichello at arm's length. Behind, Fisichella lost out to both McLarens in a single lap, before Burti's accident caused the entire race to be stopped on lap six.
The Brazilian had been battling with Eddie Irvine at the lower-end of the field, and duly got his nose on the inside of the in the left-hander preceding Blanchimont. Yet, rather than yield, Irvine cut across the nose Burti's car and took the front wing off the Prost, resulting in Burti sailing straight into the barriers at 150 mph. The Prost duly buried itself into the tyre barrier, with the force of impact enough to break Burti's helmet.
The Safety Car was deployed before the race was stopped entirely, with Irvine sprinting from his ruined car to help the marshals extract Burti, who was buried under the tyres. Miraculously, however, the Brazilian had not only survived the impact but escaped without life threatening injuries, although he was still flown to Liège with concussion.
Under the sporting regulations the race would be restarted as if the first four racing laps had not happened, meaning there would be a full restart. However, Ralf Schumacher, who was in de facto pole, would be forced to start from the back of the grid, after Williams continued to work on his car after the two minute warning.
With both Williams at the back of the field it was left to Michael Schumacher to claim the lead, the scarlet Ferrari diving into La Source unopposed. Behind, Fisichella made another barnstorming start to climb from sixth to second, with teammate Button sprinting into fourth behind Barrichello.
Schumacher would once again open out a huge lead in the early stages of the restarted race, pulling two seconds a lap clear of Fisichella, who soon had Barrichello and the two McLarens on his tail. The Italian racer would briefly lead, however, when Schumacher made his stop, and would retain second with a quick stop once the first pit-phase was over.
Fisichella's race was further enhanced by misfortune for Barrichello, who broke his front wing on a bollard at the Bus Stop chicane, and hence had to complete a full lap. That, however, was countered by the fact that Coulthard was hence released into striking position behind the Benetton, and duly charged past the #7 car on the run out of Eau Rouge.
With the race was over, despite Coulthard taking a second a lap out of Schumacher once clear of Fisichella. The German ace hence claimed his record win ahead of the Scot, with Fisichella completing the podium ahead of Mika Häkkinen, a recovering Barrichello and Jean Alesi.
==Background==
Given his dominance across most of the campaign there was little surprise that Michael Schumacher had wrapped up the title in Hungary, claiming the crown with four races to spare. Closest challenger David Coulthard would therefore face a fight to hold second for the rest of the season, with Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher both closing to within seven points of the Scot with 40 left to fight for. Behind, Mika Häkkinen was a distant fifth ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya, with eighteen drivers on the scoresheet.
Likewise, had wrapped up the Constructors Championship for the eleventh time after their one-two in Hungary, moving onto 140 points for the campaign. That left them an unassailable 68 ahead of in second with four rounds to go, with the Anglo-German squad instead set to battle for the runner-up spot during the remaining races. were, however, their only threat, and would leave Hungary thirteen behind their compatriots.
===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 	Tarso Marques 	European Minardi F1 	 	PS01 	 	3.0 V10 	
21 	Fernando Alonso 	European Minardi F1 	 	PS01 	 	3.0 V10 	
22 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Prost Grand Prix 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
23 	Luciano Burti 	Prost Grand Prix 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)
==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 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:52.072 	— 	223.828 km/h
2 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:52.959 	+0.887s 	222.070 km/h
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:54.685 	+2.613s 	218.728 km/h
4 	22 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:55.233 	+3.161s 	217.688 km/h
5 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:56.116 	+4.044s 	216.032 km/h
6 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:57.038 	+4.966s 	214.330 km/h
7 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:57.043 	+4.971s 	214.321 km/h
8 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:57.668 	+5.596s 	213.183 km/h
9 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	1:58.008 	+5.936s 	212.569 km/h
10 	19 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:58.519 	+6.447s 	211.652 km/h
11 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:58.838 	+6.766s 	211.084 km/h
12 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:59.050 	+6.978s 	210.708 km/h
13 	12 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:59.128 	+7.056s 	210.570 km/h
14 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:59.302 	+7.230s 	210.263 km/h
15 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	1:59.587 	+7.515s 	209.762 km/h
16 	11 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:59.647 	+7.575s 	209.657 km/h
17 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:59.689 	+7.617s 	209.583 km/h
18 	23 	Luciano Burti 	 	1:59.900 	+7.828s 	209.214 km/h
107% time: 1:59.917 	107% time: 1:59.917 	107% time: 1:59.917 	107% time: 1:59.917 	107% time: 1:59.917 	107% time: 1:59.917 	107% time: 1:59.917
NC* 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	2:02.039 	+9.967s 	205.547 km/h
NC* 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	2:02.594 	+10.522s 	204.617 km/h
NC* 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	2:03.048 	+10.976s 	203.862 km/h
NC* 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	2:04.204 	+12.132s 	201.965 km/h
Source:'Belgium 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/qualification.aspx'2001 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying', formula1.com, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/716/belgium/qualifying-0.html	Source:'Belgium 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/qualification.aspx'2001 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying', formula1.com, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/716/belgium/qualifying-0.html	Source:'Belgium 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/qualification.aspx'2001 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying', formula1.com, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/716/belgium/qualifying-0.html	Source:'Belgium 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/qualification.aspx'2001 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying', formula1.com, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/716/belgium/qualifying-0.html	Source:'Belgium 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/qualification.aspx'2001 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying', formula1.com, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/716/belgium/qualifying-0.html	Source:'Belgium 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/qualification.aspx'2001 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying', formula1.com, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/716/belgium/qualifying-0.html	Source:'Belgium 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/qualification.aspx'2001 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying', formula1.com, https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/716/belgium/qualifying-0.html
* * Verstappen, Alonso, Bernoldi, and Marques were allowed to start despite failing to set a time within 107% of the fastest at the stewards' discretion.
===Grid===
* * Two major accidents involving Irvine and Burti on lap 5 as the red flag waved along with Räikkönen having a transmission problem with his car and Alonso with his broken gearbox, but they could not take the restart of the race.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	36 	1:08:05.002 	3 	10
2 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	36 	+10.098s 	9 	6
3 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	36 	+27.742s 	8 	4
4 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	36 	+36.087s 	7 	3
5 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	36 	+54.521s 	5 	2
6 	12 	Jean Alesi 	 	36 	+59.684s 	13 	1
7 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	36 	+59.986s 	2 	
8 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	36 	+1:04.970 	6 	
9 	22 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	35 	+1 lap 	4 	
10 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	35 	+1 lap 	19 	
11 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	35 	+1 lap 	11 	
12 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	35 	+1 lap 	21 	
13 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	32 	+4 laps 	22 	
Ret 	11 	Jarno Trulli 	 	31 	Engine 	16 	
Ret 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	17 	Accident 	15 	
Ret 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1 	Engine 	1 	
Ret 	19 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1 	Suspension 	10 	
Ret 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	0 	Wing 	14 	
DNS 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	 	 	 	
DNS 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	 	 	 	
DNS 	23 	Luciano Burti 	 	 	 	 	
DNS 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2001: Results', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)
==Milestones==
* 650th Grand Prix for as a constructor.'14. Belgium 2001', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 10/11/2019)
* started their 300th Grand Prix as an engine supplier.
* Second pole position for Juan Pablo Montoya.
* Final race starts for Luciano Burti and Tarso Marques.
* Michael Schumacher recorded his 52nd career victory.
** This put him at the top of the all-time winner's list ahead of Alain Prost.
** Schumacher also set a new record for most races led - 87.'2001 Belgian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2001&gp=Belgian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 10/11/2019)
* Ferrari claimed their 143rd win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* David Coulthard claimed the 100th podium finish for a engine.
* Giancarlo Fisichella secured the 102nd and final podium for as a constructor.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher broke through the 100 point barrier with his eighth win of the campaign in Belgium, the already crowned Champion leaving Spa with 104 points. David Coulthard, meanwhile, had managed to gain a firmer grip on second, moving nine clear of Rubens Barrichello in third, and thirteen clear of fourth placed Ralf Schumacher. Mika Häkkinen, meanwhile, was set for a lonely fifth place in the Championship, with Juan Pablo Montoya in sixth.
In the Constructors Championship had moved onto 152 points for the season, having extended their already unassailable lead. were still in second, leaving Belgium on 81 points, with a 22 point advantage over with three races to go. Those two were now in a private duel for the runner-up spot, with unable to catch the former squad in fourth.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	104 	
2 	David Coulthard 	57 	
3 	Rubens Barrichello 	48 	
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	44 	
5 	Mika Häkkinen 	24 	
6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	15 	
7 	Jacques Villeneuve 	11 	
8 	Nick Heidfeld 	11 	
9 	Kimi Räikkönen 	9 	
10 	Jarno Trulli 	9 	
11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	8 	3
12 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	6 	1
13 	Olivier Panis 	5 	1
14 	Jean Alesi 	5 	1
15 	Eddie Irvine 	4 	2
16 	Jenson Button 	2 	
17 	Jos Verstappen 	1 	
18 	Pedro de la Rosa 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	152 	
2 	 	81 	
3 	 	59 	
4 	 	20 	
5 	 	16 	
6 	 	16 	
7 	 	10 	
8 	 	5 	
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:2001 Grands Prix
Category:Belgian Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Belgium