2001 European Grand Prix

The 2001 European Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the XLV Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe, was the ninth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Nürburgring in Nürburg, Germany, on 24 June 2001.'European GP, 2001', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr672.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher sweep to victory for , albeit after his brother Ralf was penalised for straying over the white line exiting the pitlane as they tussled for the lead.
Qualifying had seen the former Schumacher claim pole position at the wheel of the #1 Ferrari, beating Ralf by a quarter of a second. Ralf's teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, meanwhile, would beat Michael's teammate Rubens Barrichello to third, with the two sharing the third row.
Ahead of the race Michael Schumacher elected to start in his spare car, only for a failure on a reconnaissance lap to see him abandon the car halfway around the lap, hike back to the pits, and switch back to his race car. There was more drama on the formation lap as Tarso Marques stalled, although as the Brazilian was at the back of the field there was no change to the overall order.
When the race did get underway it was an all Schumacher scrap for the lead, with Michael aggressively squeezing his brother towards the pitwall on the run to the first corner. That allowed Montoya to look at passing the pair of them around the outside of the first corner, before deciding to back off as they hit the brakes.
As the top three held station Barrichello found himself getting mugged by the two McLarens, while Jos Verstappen rocketed up from nineteenth to fourteenth. The rest of the field would start without issue, although Barrichello would lose another place to Jarno Trulli in the first corner.
The early stages saw the Schumacher brothers ease clear of Montoya, with the Colombian racer fending off David Coulthard for third. Out front, meanwhile, the two Schumacher's would exchange several minor blows, before both settled down to let their respective strategies come into play.
Yet, both Ferrari and had opted for the same two-stop strategy, meaning both the #1 Ferrari and the #5 Williams came in on lap 28, with the elder Schumacher inadvertently running his brother onto the grass as they entered the pitlane. They duly came out of their pitboxes nose-to-tail, Michael ahead, prompting Ralf to try an aggressive move as the emerged back onto the circuit.
In a bid to attack his brother and remain ahead of a one-stopping Coulthard, Ralf shot to the left hand side of the circuit, crossing the white line that marked pit-out from the race circuit. That resulted in an immediate ten-second stop-go penalty on safety grounds, which resulted in the younger Schumacher dropping back to fourth when he served it.
That, ultimately, left Michael with command of the race, cruising home unopposed in the second half of the race to claim victory from Montoya. Coulthard was a distant third to complete the podium ahead of Ralf Schumacher, with Barrichello and Mika Häkkinen claiming the remaining points.
==Background==
Michael Schumacher extended his lead in the World Championship to eighteen points as the season rapidly headed towards its halfway point, leaving North America with an eighteen point lead. David Coulthard had retained second, and remained sixteen clear of Rubens Barrichello in third, while Ralf Schumacher had made ground in fourth, victory moving him two behind the Brazilian. Elsewhere, Mika Häkkinen was finally threatening the top five, moving level with Nick Heidfeld on eight points, although the Finn was effectively out of the title hunt already.
In the Constructors Championship it had been a quiet day at the head of the field, with ending the weekend with a largely unchanged 34 point lead. had lost a little ground to their Italian rivals in second, while had inched closer to their compatriots, leaving Canada twenty behind the Anglo-German alliance. Elsewhere, had moved back into the top five ahead of with still the only non-scorers.
===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 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	B&H Jordan Honda 	 	EJ11 	 	RA001E 3.0 V10 	
12 	Jarno Trulli 	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 	 	European 3.0 V10 	
21 	Fernando Alonso 	European Minardi F1 	 	PS01 	 	European 3.0 V10 	
22 	Jean Alesi 	Prost Grand Prix 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
23 	Luciano Burti 	Prost Grand Prix 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)
==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 	 	1:14.960 	— 	218.805 km/h
2 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:15.226 	+0.266s 	218.031 km/h
3 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:15.490 	+0.530s 	217.269 km/h
4 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:15.622 	+0.662s 	216.889 km/h
5 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	1:15.717 	+0.757s 	216.617 km/h
6 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:15.776 	+0.816s 	216.448 km/h
7 	12 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:16.138 	+1.178s 	215.419 km/h
8 	11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:16.376 	+1.416s 	214.748 km/h
9 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:16.402 	+1.442s 	214.675 km/h
10 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:16.438 	+1.478s 	214.574 km/h
11 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:16.439 	+1.479s 	214.571 km/h
12 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:16.588 	+1.628s 	214.154 km/h
13 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:16.872 	+1.912s 	213.362 km/h
14 	22 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:17.251 	+2.291s 	212.316 km/h
15 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:17.378 	+2.418s 	211.967 km/h
16 	19 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:17.627 	+2.667s 	211.287 km/h
17 	23 	Luciano Burti 	 	1:18.113 	+3.153s 	209.973 km/h
18 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	1:18.151 	+3.191s 	209.871 km/h
19 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:18.262 	+3.302s 	209.573 km/h
20 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	1:18.626 	+3.666s 	208.603 km/h
21 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:18.630 	+3.670s 	208.592 km/h
22 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	1:18.689 	+3.729s 	208.436 km/h
107% Time: 1:20.207 	107% Time: 1:20.207 	107% Time: 1:20.207 	107% Time: 1:20.207 	107% Time: 1:20.207 	107% Time: 1:20.207 	107% Time: 1:20.207
Source:'Europe 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)'2001 Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/711/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)'2001 Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/711/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)'2001 Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/711/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)'2001 Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/711/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)'2001 Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/711/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)'2001 Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/711/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)'2001 Warsteiner Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/711/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 07/11/2019)
*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===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	67 	1:29:42.724 	1 	10
2 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	67 	+4.127s 	3 	6
3 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	67 	+24.993s 	5 	4
4 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	67 	+33.345s 	2 	3
5 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	67 	+45.495s 	4 	2
6 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	67 	+1:04.868 	6 	1
7 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	67 	+1:06.198 	12 	
8 	19 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	66 	+1 Lap 	16 	
9 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	66 	+1 Lap 	11 	
10 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	66 	+1 Lap 	9 	
11 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	66 	+1 Lap 	15 	
12 	23 	Luciano Burti 	 	65 	+2 Laps 	17 	
13 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	65 	+2 Laps 	20 	
14 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	65 	+2 Laps 	21 	
15* 	22 	Jean Alesi 	 	64 	Spin 	14 	
Ret 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	58 	Engine 	19 	
Ret 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	54 	Driveshaft 	10 	
Ret 	11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	48 	Electronics 	8 	
Ret 	12 	Jarno Trulli 	 	44 	Transmission 	7 	
Ret 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	29 	Gearbox 	18 	
Ret 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	23 	Electrical 	13 	
Ret 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	7 	Electrical 	22 	
Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)	Source:'Europe 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Prost was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* Olivier Panis made his 100th Grand Prix start.'9. Europe 2001', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/europe.aspx, (Accessed 07/11/2019)
* Ralf Schumacher entered his 75th race.'2001 European GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2001&gp=European%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 07/11/2019)
* 49th career victory for Michael Schumacher.
** This was also the 100th win for a car using #1 as its race number.
* claimed their 140th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
** Shell secured their 200th victory as a lubricant supplier.
* Juan Pablo Montoya recorded his maiden fastest lap.
==Standings==
Victory moved Michael Schumacher a huge 24 points clear of his closest challenger in the Drivers Championship, passing the halfway point with 68 points to his name. David Coulthard therefore had some serious work to do in the second half of the campaign, although he had solidified his grip on second, moving eighteen clear of Rubens Barrichello. Behind, Ralf Schumacher had inched closer to the Brazilian in fourth, while Juan Pablo Montoya broke into the top five for the first time.
In the Constructors Championship it had been another strong day for , leaving Germany just six points shy of the 100 point mark. That also resulted in a 41 point lead over second placed , while had inched closer to their compatriots in third once again, ending the weekend sixteen behind. Otherwise, there had been little change after the European Grand Prix, with the top three having been the only scorers.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	68 	
2 	David Coulthard 	44 	
3 	Rubens Barrichello 	26 	
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	25 	
5 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	12 	5
6 	Mika Häkkinen 	9 	
7 	Nick Heidfeld 	8 	2
8 	Jacques Villeneuve 	7 	1
9 	Jarno Trulli 	7 	1
10 	Kimi Räikkönen 	7 	1
11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	6 	
12 	Olivier Panis 	5 	
13 	Eddie Irvine 	4 	
14 	Jean Alesi 	3 	
15 	Jos Verstappen 	1 	
16 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	1 	
17 	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 	 	94 	
2 	 	53 	
3 	 	37 	
4 	 	15 	
5 	 	13 	
6 	 	12 	
7 	 	5 	
8 	 	3 	
9 	 	1 	
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:European Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Germany