2001 Malaysian Grand Prix

The 2001 Malaysian Grand Prix, officially advertised as the III Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, was the second round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, held at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia on 18 March 2001.'Malaysian GP, 2001', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr665.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019) The race, which was attended by 75,000 spectators, would see Michael Schumacher sweep to a stunning victory in mixed conditions, as a monsoon played havoc in the early stages.
The German ace would start the weekend in fine form, sweeping to pole position ahead of teammate Rubens Barrichello. Ralf Schumacher was best of the rest for ahead of Mika Häkkinen of , with the top twelve separated by two seconds.
Race day dawned amid the final moments of an overnight monsoon, although the morning warm-up saw the circuit dry quickly as the field lapped on wet weather tyres. The warm temperatures continued to dry the circuit ahead of the start, resulting in everyone bar Luciano Burti opting to start on the softest slicks possible.
There would be drama ahead of the start, however, with Michael Schumacher making a late swap to his spare car, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen caused chaos with a misfire to hold up the left-hand side of the grid during the formation lap. Fortunately for him he would be restored to his starting position at the end of the procession, for Giancarlo Fisichella made such a mess of lining up in his grid slot that the start had to be abandoned.
Fisichella was subsequently sent to the back of the field and a lap struck from the race distance, with a second formation lap staged, albeit with Juan Pablo Montoya scrambling to the pits to take the spare Williams. Regardless, the race would start at the second attempt, with Michael Schumacher streaking into the lead ahead of his brother Ralf.
Yet, the younger Schumacher's race was effectively over come the first corner, for a battle with Barrichello left the #5 Williams spinning to the back of the field. That left Michael in the lead ahead of Barrichello and Jarno Trulli, albeit with the skies suddenly darkening as rain swept back towards Sepang.
The second lap saw Olivier Panis go flying off the circuit backwards at turn six, flames at the back of the signalling that his engine was spraying oil. At the same moment the first spots of rain began pounding the circuit, sending both s off when they came across the scene moments later.
Indeed, the two scarlet cars would have a narrow escape as they scrambled back on to the circuit, for several drivers wound up in the gravel and barriers moments later as rain began to swamp the circuit. Come the end of the lap everyone was on their way to the pits, with David Coulthard leading from Barrichello and Michael Schumacher.
The Safety Car was called to the circuit on lap five, by which stage the two Ferraris had tumbled to tenth and eleventh as the Scuderia's mechanics opted to clear both cars of gravel as they stopped at the same time. However, they had also gambled on intermediates in-spite of the conditions, having noticed that the rain already appeared to be easing even as the safety car emerged.
By lap seven the rain had all but stopped, although the safety car remained on circuit for a further three laps. Coulthard duly aced the restart on his full wets to claim an early lead from Jos Verstappen, while the two Ferraris began to charge their way back up the order.
Indeed, within five laps of the restart Schumacher would leap from eleventh to first, lapping over five seconds a lap quicker than Coulthard as he surged past the Scot. He duly sprinted clear to build a dominant lead, trailed by Barrichello, leaving Coulthard to lead the field in for slicks on lap 25.
Yet, the Scot's early gamble would not pay off, for Schumacher and Barrichello would emerge from their stops five laps later still with a healthy margin en-route to a dominant one-two. Coulthard completed the podium but highlighted that the McLaren was not quite running at full potential, with the rest of the points going to Frentzen, a recovered Ralf Schumacher and a quiet Mika Häkkinen.
==Background==
Michael Schumacher unsurprisingly lead the World Championship after the opening race, leaving Australia with a four point advantage over David Coulthard. Rubens Barrichello likewise completed the early top three ahead of Nick Heidfeld, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Kimi Räikkönen the other opening day scorers.
In the Constructors Championship it was who led the way after their double podium, starting their title defence with 14 points on the board. were their closest challengers, already eight behind, with and the only other 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 	 	F1-2001 	 	050 3.0 V10 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F1-2001 	 	050 3.0 V10 	
3 	Mika Häkkinen 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-16 	 	FO110K 3.0 V10 	
4 	David Coulthard 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-16 	 	FO110K 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 	 	A21 	 	001 3.0 V10 	
15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	Orange Arrows Asiatech 	 	A21 	 	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 	Luciano Burti 	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 Acer 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
23 	Gastón Mazzacane 	Prost Acer 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)
==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 	 	1:35.220 	— 	209.565 km/h
2 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:35.319 	+0.099s 	209.348 km/h
3 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:35.511 	+0.291s 	208.927 km/h
4 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:36.040 	+0.820s 	207.776 km/h
5 	12 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:36.180 	+0.960s 	207.473 km/h
6 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:36.218 	+0.998s 	207.392 km/h
7 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:36.397 	+1.177s 	207.006 km/h
8 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	1:36.417 	+1.197s 	206.964 km/h
9 	11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:36.578 	+1.358s 	206.618 km/h
10 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:36.681 	+1.461s 	206.398 km/h
11 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:36.913 	+1.693s 	205.904 km/h
12 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:37.140 	+1.920s 	205.423 km/h
13 	22 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:37.406 	+2.186s 	204.862 km/h
14 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:37.728 	+2.508s 	204.187 km/h
15 	19 	Luciano Burti 	 	1:38.035 	+2.815s 	203.548 km/h
16 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:38.086 	+2.866s 	203.442 km/h
17 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	1:38.258 	+3.038s 	203.086 km/h
18 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:38.509 	+3.289s 	202.568 km/h
19 	23 	Gastón Mazzacane 	 	1:39.006 	+3.786s 	201.551 km/h
20 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	1:39.714 	+4.494s 	200.120 km/h
21 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:40.249 	+5.029s 	199.052 km/h
107% Time: 1:41.885 	107% Time: 1:41.885 	107% Time: 1:41.885 	107% Time: 1:41.885 	107% Time: 1:41.885 	107% Time: 1:41.885 	107% Time: 1:41.885
NC* 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	1:38.708 	1:38.708 	202.160 km/h
Source:'Malaysia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'2001 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/704/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'2001 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/704/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'2001 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/704/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'2001 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/704/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'2001 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/704/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'2001 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/704/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'2001 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/704/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)
*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.
** Bernoldi had his times from qualifying deleted for using an illegal front wing. He would, however, be allowed to start at the stewards' discretion.
===Grid===
** Montoya started the race from the pitlane after an issue on the second formation lap.
*† Fisichella started the second start from the back of the grid after causing the abandonment of the first start.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1T 	Michael Schumacher 	 	55 	1:47:34.801 	1 	10
2 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	55 	+23.660s 	2 	6
3 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	55 	+28.555s 	8 	4
4 	11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	55 	+46.543s 	9 	3
5 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	55 	+48.233s 	3 	2
6 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	55 	+48.606s 	4 	1
7 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	55 	+1:21.560 	18 	
8 	12 	Jarno Trulli 	 	54 	+1 Lap 	5 	
9 	22 	Jean Alesi 	 	54 	+1 Lap 	13 	
10 	19 	Luciano Burti 	 	54 	+1 Lap 	15 	
11 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	53 	+2 Laps 	17 	
12 	23 	Gastón Mazzacane 	 	53 	+2 Laps 	19 	
13 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	52 	+3 Laps 	21 	
14 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	51 	+4 Laps 	20 	
Ret 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	31 	Fuel pressure 	16 	
Ret 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	3 	Spin 	7 	
Ret 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	3 	Spin 	11 	
Ret 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	3 	Spin 	22 	
Ret 	6T 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	3 	Spin 	6 	
Ret 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	3 	Water leak 	12 	
Ret 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1 	Oil leak 	10 	
Ret 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	0 	Driveshaft 	14 	
Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 46th career victory for Michael Schumacher.'2. Malaysia 2001', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/malaisie.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)
** Schumacher also set a new record for most victories in a row from pole position - 6.
* 137th win for as a constructor and engine supplier.
==Standings==
A second victory in two races in had left Michael Schumacher with command in the Championship after the opening two rounds, leaving Malaysia with a full twenty points to his name. That translated into a ten point advantage over the men in second, with David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello level on ten points after a second and third place finish apiece. Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Nick Heidfeld then completed the top five, with eight drivers on the score sheet.
In the Constructors Championship had also established a strangle hold after the opening two rounds, leaving Malaysia with 30 points in their grasp. were their closest challengers, but were already nineteen points behind after just two races, and with a seemingly inferior car. Behind, completed the early top three ahead of , with the only other scorers.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	20 	
2 	David Coulthard 	10 	
3 	Rubens Barrichello 	10 	
4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	5 	1
5 	Nick Heidfeld 	3 	1
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	2 	9
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	1 	8
8 	Kimi Räikkönen 	1 	2
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	30 	
2 	 	11 	
3 	 	5 	1
4 	 	4 	1
5 	 	2 	6
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