2002 United States Grand Prix

The 2002 United States Grand Prix, otherwise known as the 2002 SAP United States Grand Prix, was the sixteenth and penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana, USA, on 29 September 2002.'United States GP, 2002', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr696.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019) The race would see Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher attempt to stage a dead-heat victory for , with the Brazilian ultimately emerging ahead by 0.011s.
The race was Ferrari's, and Schumacher's, to lose right from the start of practice, with the German ace claiming pole position in qualifying by a quarter of a second. Barrichello made it a front row lock-out ahead of David Coulthard, two-thirds of a second behind, with the Scot just ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya.
Furthermore, it was formation flying from the Ferraris at the start, with Schumacher leading Barrichello unopposed into the first corner. Behind, Coulthard consolidated third place, while Ralf Schumacher managed to scramble ahead of teammate Montoya to claim fourth.
With that the Ferraris were away, Schumacher dragging Barrichello clear, while Coulthard ran without trouble from the two s. Indeed, the two Williams would instead exchange a series of blows during the opening two laps, culminating in a collision at the start of lap three that left Ralf Schumacher with a broken rear wing.
The action at the head of the field soon tailed off, with the only interest coming in how the various pit stop strategies, two-stop for Bridgestone runners and one-stop for the Michelin mob, would play out. Indeed, it was only when the two Ferraris swept in for their stops that some outside of a scarlet Ferrari led the race, Coulthard inheriting a brief lead.
Once Coulthard stopped the race lead was handed back to Schumacher, who duly stopped for a second time without losing the lead later on. Behind, Barrichello was a secure second, trailing his teammate by a couple of seconds, while Coulthard's superior strategy left him within sight of the Ferraris, but with no hope of catching them, let alone beating them.
Elsewhere, Montoya's race was ruined when he misinterpreted his pitboard, coming in for his stop ten laps earlier than planned. Kimi Räikkönen, meanwhile, would spend most of the race on nine and a half cylinders, his limping around until it finally failed on lap 50, promoting Jarno Trulli and Jacques Villeneuve into the points.
With that the race seemed to be over, with Barrichello unable to get within a second of Schumacher, and neither of the Ferraris particularly pushing. However, as they came around the final banked curve to complete the final lap, Schumacher did the unexpected and pulled wide, opening the door for Barrichello to sweep inside.
Barrichello briefly hesitated, unsure whether he should take the opportunity or not, resulting in the two Ferraris sweeping across the line side-by-side, although with no-one sure whom was ahead of whom. The timesheets soon revealed that Barrichello was the victor by 0.011s, although there were plenty of scarlet faces blossoming in the Ferrari pitbox as Coulthard swept across the line to complete the podium.
Indeed, speculation about why Schumacher had moved aside was rampant, with many concluding that he had moved aside to gift Barrichello the win as a thank you to the Brazilian for doing so in Austria. This was countered by Schumacher who stated that he had wanted to stage a dead-heat finish, while Barrichello was simply confused.
Officially the 2002 United States Grand Prix, had the second smallest winning margin in F1 history, and the smallest timed to a thousandth of a second. It was also the closest ever finish to any race staged at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the narrowest winning margin for the US Grand Prix. The race was also noted as one of the rare times in which Bernd Mayländer was unable to drive the Safety Car, resulting in Damien Faulkner taking over the role for one race.
==Background==
Victory for Rubens Barrichello left the Brazilian racer in a clear second place in the Championship with two races to go, meaning he could secure the runner-up spot in the United States. Indeed, as teammate Michael Schumacher smashed the record for most points scored in a single season, the Brazilian racer would need just three points in Indianapolis to secure a one-two for in the Drivers Championship. Furthermore, only Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher could now mathematically deny Barrichello, David Coulthard having fallen out of the fight.
In the Constructors Championship it had been another impressive day for Ferrari, with a seventh one-two moving them to within touching distance of the 200 point mark. Furthermore, their 189 point tally was 103 more than second placed , with the Anglo-German squad set to finish a distant second. Indeed, were fast running out of time to close the gap, and would now required two one-twos in the final races just to get back on terms with 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 	 	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 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	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 	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:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)
==Practice Overview==
===Free Practice 1===
===Free Practice 2===
===Warm-Up===
===Practice Results===
The full practice results for the are outlined below:
No.	Driver 	Team	FP1 	 	FP2 	 	Warm-Up 	
No.	Driver 	Team	Time 	Pos. 	Time 	Pos. 	Time 	Pos.
1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:13.548	1 	1:11.158	1 	1:13.183	1
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	 	1:11.394	2 	1:13.321	2 	
3 	David Coulthard 	 	1:14.919	3 	1:11.909	5 	1:13.930	8
4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:14.986	4 	1:12.162	8 	1:13.765	5
5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:15.291	10 	1:11.849	4 	1:14.650	16
6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:15.632	16 	1:11.992	7 	1:14.223	11
7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:15.260	9 	1:11.910	6 	1:14.603	15
8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	 	1:15.136	6 	1:12.589	10 	1:14.236	12
9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:15.209	7 	1:12.220	9 	1:14.154	10
10 	Takuma Sato 	 	1:15.659	17 	1:12.826	16 	1:14.154	10
11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:15.035	5 	1:12.726	13 	1:14.377	14
12 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:15.941	18 	1:12.746	14 	1:13.471	3
14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:15.256	8 	1:12.756	15 	1:14.254	13
15 	Jenson Button 	 	1:15.548	13 	1:12.878	17 	1:14.074	9
16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:14.123	2 	1:11.688	3 	1:13.898	7
17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:15.304	11 	1:12.679	12 	1:14.844	17
22 	Alex Yoong 	 	1:16.138	19 	1:13.562	20 	1:15.522	20
23 	Mark Webber 	 	1:15.629	15 	1:13.547	19 	1:15.257	19
24 	Mika Salo 	 	1:15.421	12 	1:12.656	11 	1:13.867	6
25 	Allan McNish 	 	1:15.589	14 	1:13.204	18 	1:15.220	18
==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 	 	1:10.790 	 	213.183 km/h
2 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:11.058 	+0.268s 	212.379 km/h
3 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	1:11.413 	+0.623s 	211.323 km/h
4 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:11.414 	+0.624s 	211.320 km/h
5 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:11.587 	+0.797s 	210.809 km/h
6 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:11.633 	+0.843s 	210.674 km/h
7 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:11.738 	+0.948s 	210.365 km/h
8 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:11.888 	+1.098s 	209.927 km/h
9 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:11.902 	+1.112s 	209.886 km/h
10 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:11.953 	+1.163s 	209.737 km/h
11 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:12.083 	+1.293s 	209.359 km/h
12 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:12.161 	+1.371s 	209.132 km/h
13 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:12.282 	+1.492s 	208.782 km/h
14 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	1:12.401 	+1.611s 	208.439 km/h
15 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	1:12.647 	+1.857s 	207.733 km/h
16 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	1:12.723 	+1.933s 	207.516 km/h
17 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:12.739 	+1.949s 	207.471 km/h
18 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	1:13.128 	+2.338s 	206.367 km/h
19 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	1:13.213 	+2.423s 	206.127 km/h
20 	22 	Alex Yoong 	 	1:13.809 	+3.019s 	204.463 km/h
107% Time: 1:15.745 	107% Time: 1:15.745 	107% Time: 1:15.745 	107% Time: 1:15.745 	107% Time: 1:15.745 	107% Time: 1:15.745 	107% Time: 1:15.745
Source:'USA 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)'2002 SAP United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/735/united-states/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)'2002 SAP United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/735/united-states/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)'2002 SAP United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/735/united-states/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)'2002 SAP United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/735/united-states/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)'2002 SAP United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/735/united-states/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)'2002 SAP United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/735/united-states/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)'2002 SAP United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/735/united-states/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/11/2019)
*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 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	73 	1:31:07.934 	2 	10
2 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	73 	+0.011s 	1 	6
3 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	73 	+7.799s 	3 	4
4 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	73 	+9.911s 	4 	3
5 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	73 	+56.847s 	8 	2
6 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	73 	+58.211s 	7 	1
7 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	72 	+1 lap 	9 	
8 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	72 	+1 Lap 	14 	
9 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	72 	+1 Lap 	10 	
10 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	72 	+1 Lap 	13 	
11 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	72 	+1 Lap 	15 	
12 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	72 	+1 lap 	12 	
13 	8 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	71 	+2 Laps 	11 	
14 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	71 	+2 Laps 	19 	
15 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	71 	+2 Laps 	16 	
16 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	71 	+2 laps 	5 	
Ret 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	50 	Engine 	6 	
Ret 	22 	Alex Yoong 	 	46 	Engine 	20 	
Ret 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	38 	Steering 	18 	
Ret 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	27 	Gearbox 	17 	
Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)	Source:'USA 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Jenson Button made his 50th Grand Prix start.'16. USA 2002', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/etats-unis.aspx, (Accessed 21/11/2019)
* 50th Grand Prix appearance for as a constructor.
* 50th Grand Prix start for Nick Heidfeld.'2002 United States GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2002&gp=United%20States%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 21/11/2019)
* Michael Schumacher secured the 200th pole position for Shell as a lubricant supplier.
* Rubens Barrichello claimed his fifth career victory.
** This was also the second smallest winning margin in F1 history - 0.011s.
* claimed their 158th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Schumacher set a new record for most point scoring finishes in a single season - 16.
* This was the only race where F1 Digital+ graphics were available free on the normal channels, such as ITV-F1.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher moved onto 134 points after another podium finish, although that was overshadowed by more PR embarrassment for the German ace. Behind, Rubens Barrichello had secured the runner-up spot with his win, leaving Juan Pablo Montoya, Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard to fight for third. It was the Colombian racer who held the advantage, five ahead of Ralf Schumacher, while Coulthard sat six off third place.
In the Constructors Championship smashed through the 200 point barrier, ending the weekend on 205 points. Behind, had been confirmed in second place, albeit with less than half the points of the Scuderia, while were confirmed in third place. Elsewhere, were almost guaranteed to claim fourth, while moved level with .
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	134 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	71 	
3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	47 	
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	42 	
5 	David Coulthard 	41 	
6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	20 	
7 	Jenson Button 	13 	
8 	Jarno Trulli 	9 	1
9 	Eddie Irvine 	8 	1
10 	Nick Heidfeld 	7 	
11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	7 	
12 	Jacques Villeneuve 	4 	1
13 	Felipe Massa 	4 	1
14 	Olivier Panis 	3 	
15 	Mark Webber 	2 	
16 	Mika Salo 	2 	
17 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	2 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	205 	
2 	 	89 	
3 	 	61 	
4 	 	22 	
5 	 	11 	
6 	 	8 	
7 	 	7 	1
8 	 	7 	1
9 	 	2 	
10 	 	2 	
11 	 	2 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:2002 Grands Prix
Category:United States Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in the United States