2002 Belgian Grand Prix

The 2002 Belgian Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the LX Foster's 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 1 September 2002.'Belgian GP, 2002', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr694.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher claim a record tenth victory of the season, leading home another crushing one-two for .
Qualifying would similarly be dominated by the Scuderia, with Schumacher storming to pole position by half a second. However, Kimi Räikkönen would cause a stir by splitting the Ferraris late on in his , with Rubens Barrichello having to start from third alongside Ralf Schumacher.
Ultimately the fate of the race would be decided at the start, with the two Ferraris expertly charging away off the line to claim the lead. That left Räikkönen under attack from Montoya and a fast starting Jarno Trulli, with the trio diving into the corner three abreast, Räikkönen ultimately managing to hang on.
Come the end of the opening tour it was Michael Schumacher leading by two seconds from Barrichello, with day light between the #2 Ferrari and Räikkönen's McLaren. The Finn himself was at the head of a train of cars including Montoya, David Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher, although there was no hope of any overtaking on raw pace alone.
Indeed, the only action of note ahead of the stops would be a dramatic wobble for Räikkönen heading through Stavelot, which allowed Montoya to sweep past for third. However, the Colombian racer was not able to go chasing off the Ferraris, and hence had to produce some defensive moves of his own as Räikkönen glued himself to the #6 's gearbox.
Out front, meanwhile, Schumacher would make his lone stop of the race on lap sixteen, handing the lead to Barrichello for a lap before the Brazilian made his stop. They duly emerged one-two and had a gentle cruise to the chequered flag, leaving the rest of the field to sort itself out.
Indeed, Montoya's grip on third place would only be secured when Räikkönen had a poor stop, a delay that also allowed Coulthard to pass his teammate, before the Finn's recovery drive was ended by an engine failure. Ralf Schumacher would also lose time courtesy of a spin and hence slip behind Trulli, only for the racer to suffer an engine failure of his own.
With that the race was run, with Michael Schumacher only denied a Grand Chelem as Barrichello had led one lap. Regardless, the German ace moved to within a point of his record points haul from with three rounds to go, with Barrichello and Montoya little more than footnotes as they completed the podium. The remaining points on offer went to Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher and the of Eddie Irvine.
==Background==
Victory for Rubens Barrichello propelled the Brazilian racer up into second in the Championship with four rounds to go, leaving Hungary with 45 points to his name. That left him five clear at the head of the hunt to finish as runner-up to Michael Schumacher, with the German ace himself having moved onto 112 points for the campaign. Behind, Juan Pablo Montoya had slipped back behind teammate Ralf Schumacher, while David Coulthard was eleven behind Barrichello in fifth.
In the Constructors Championship the fight for the crown was officially over, with ending the Hungarian weekend on 157 points and with a crushing lead of 77 over second place. Indeed, were now in a fight to hold onto second for the rest of the campaign, but had enhanced their hopes by extending their advantage over to 26 points. McLaren themselves were almost guaranteed third in the Championship as failed to score, while had inched back towards the top five.
===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 	 	F2002 	 	051 3.0 V10 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2002 	 	051 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 	 	R3B 	 	CR-4 3.0 V10 	
17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R3B 	 	CR-4 3.0 V10 	
22 	Anthony Davidson 	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:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)
==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 	 	1:43.726 	— 	241.664 km/h
2 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:44.150 	+0.424s 	240.680 km/h
3 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:44.335 	+0.609s 	240.253 km/h
4 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:44.348 	+0.622s 	240.223 km/h
5 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:44.634 	+0.908s 	239.566 km/h
6 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	1:44.759 	+1.033s 	239.281 km/h
7 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:45.386 	+1.660s 	237.857 km/h
8 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:45.865 	+2.139s 	236.781 km/h
9 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	1:45.880 	+2.154s 	236.747 km/h
10 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	1:45.972 	+2.246s 	236.542 km/h
11 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:46.056 	+2.330s 	236.354 km/h
12 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:46.403 	+2.677s 	235.584 km/h
13 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	1:46.485 	+2.759s 	235.402 km/h
14 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:46.508 	+2.782s 	235.351 km/h
15 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:46.553 	+2.827s 	235.252 km/h
16 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	1:46.875 	+3.149s 	234.543 km/h
17 	8 	Felipe Massa 	 	1:46.896 	+3.170s 	234.497 km/h
18 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:47.272 	+3.546s 	233.675 km/h
19 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	1:47.562 	+3.836s 	233.045 km/h
20 	22 	Anthony Davidson 	 	1:48.170 	+4.444s 	231.735 km/h
107% Time: 1:50.987 	107% Time: 1:50.987 	107% Time: 1:50.987 	107% Time: 1:50.987 	107% Time: 1:50.987 	107% Time: 1:50.987 	107% Time: 1:50.987
Source:'Belgium 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/733/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/733/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/733/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/733/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/733/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/733/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)'2002 Foster's Belgian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/733/belgium/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/11/2019)
*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 	 	44 	1:21:20.634 	1 	10
2 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	44 	+1.977s 	3 	6
3 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	44 	+18.445s 	5 	4
4 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	44 	+19.357s 	6 	3
5 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	44 	+56.440s 	4 	2
6 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	44 	+1:17.370 	8 	1
7 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	44 	+1:17.809 	9 	
8 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	44 	+1:19.855 	12 	
9 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	43 	+1 Lap 	13 	
10 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	43 	+1 Lap 	18 	
11 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	43 	+1 Lap 	16 	
12* 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	39 	Engine 	15 	
Ret 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	38 	Engine 	14 	
Ret 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	37 	Suspension 	11 	
Ret 	8 	Felipe Massa 	 	37 	Engine 	17 	
Ret 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	35 	Engine 	2 	
Ret 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	35 	Engine 	7 	
Ret 	22 	Anthony Davidson 	 	17 	Spin 	20 	
Ret 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	10 	Engine 	10 	
Ret 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	4 	Gearbox 	19 	
Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)	Source:'Belgium 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Panis was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* 63rd career victory for Michael Schumacher.'14. Belgium 2002', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/belgique.aspx, (Accessed 20/11/2019)
** Schumacher also set a new record for most wins in a single season - 10.'2002 Belgian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2002&gp=Belgian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 20/11/2019)
** Schumacher also recorded his 50th fastest lap.
* 156th win for as a constructor and engine supplier.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher's record tenth victory of the campaign would move the German ace just a point behind his record points haul from , and with three races still to run. Behind the World Champion the fight for second was falling increasingly in Rubens Barrichello's favour, the Brazilian having moved seven points clear. However, with 30 points still in play there was still a fight to be had, with Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher still within striking distance.
In the Constructors Championship a sixth one-two for of the campaign had left the Scuderia on 173 points, more than double that of second placed . The Anglo-German alliance themselves were having a poor campaign compared to the all conquering Scuderia, although they were on the verge of securing the runner-up spot in Italy. Indeed, would have to avoid being outscored by Williams by one point in Monza if they were to deny their compatriots second in the Championship, although in truth the fight was already over.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	122 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	51 	
3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	44 	1
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	42 	1
5 	David Coulthard 	37 	
6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	20 	
7 	Jenson Button 	11 	
8 	Nick Heidfeld 	7 	
9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	7 	
10 	Eddie Irvine 	4 	3
11 	Jarno Trulli 	4 	1
12 	Felipe Massa 	4 	1
13 	Jacques Villeneuve 	3 	1
14 	Mark Webber 	2 	
15 	Mika Salo 	2 	
16 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	2 	
17 	Olivier Panis 	2 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	173 	
2 	 	86 	
3 	 	57 	
4 	 	15 	
5 	 	11 	
6 	 	7 	
7 	 	5 	
8 	 	4 	
9 	 	2 	
10 	 	2 	
11 	 	2 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:2002 Grands Prix
Category:Belgian Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Belgium