2002 Malaysian Grand Prix

The IV Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, otherwise known as the 2002 Malaysian Grand Prix, was the second round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, on 17 March 2002.'Malaysian GP, 2002', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr682.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019) The race would see claim a one-two victory courtesy of Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, despite the latter receiving a controversial drive-through penalty early on.
Qualifying had seen Championship leader Michael Schumacher storm to a familiar pole position, edging out Montoya by a quarter of a second. Their respective teammates Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher shared the second row, while the two of Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard shared the third.
It was right at the start of the Grand Prix itself, however, where the controversy would begin, with Michael Schumacher using his familiar defensive tactic of diving across in front of the man in second. Montoya reacted by jumping on the brakes and heading to the outside of the circuit, allowing Barrichello to briefly get ahead.
However, Montoya would opt to brake later than either of the s into the first corner, and duly got his nose ahead of Schumacher as the turned into the left-hander. Schumacher subsequently began understeering on the inside of the circuit, and duly smashed his front win on the right front wheel of Montoya, the Colombian having opted to take as tight a line as possible while leaving what he believed to be enough room.
Regardless, their contact would cost both the lead, with Barrichello sweeping into the lead ahead of a wingless Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher. Montoya recovered to fourth ahead of the McLarens, and was duly put back into third when the #1 Ferrari dived into the pits for a new nose.
Yet, just a few laps later Montoya would be slapped with the responsibility, and therefore the penalty, for causing his collision with Schumacher, meaning he had to take a trip through the pitlane. He served the penalty immediately despite widespread confusion about how the collision was Montoya's fault, with even Michael Schumacher himself stating after the race that it was a "harsh" decision.
That left Barrichello leading from Ralf Schumacher and the two McLarens, although both Räikkönen and Coulthard would soon retire with engine issues. Ferrari and Williams-BMW were hence left in a duel for the lead between Barrichello and Schumacher, albeit with Barrichello on a two-stop, while the German racer was on a one-stop.
Their respective strategies were completed on lap 35, with Barrichello falling five seconds behind Schumacher as a result of his additional stop. Yet, it soon became clear that the Brazilian had enough pace to retake the lead, closing in by over a second a lap, only for his engine to fail on lap 39.
That left Schumacher with a huge 30 second margin over Jenson Button in second, although the Brit was being steadily caught by a charging Montoya. The Colombian racer duly claimed the position a few laps from the end, leaving Button en-route to a maiden podium finish, only for his suspension to fail on the final lap.
As Button tried to limp his around Ralf Schumacher flashed across the line to claim victory, almost 40 seconds clear of teammate Montoya to secure Williams' first one-two since the 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix. Button, meanwhile, would be unable to prevent Michael Schumacher from charging past him on the final tour, relegating him to fourth, with Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa claiming the remaining points behind the wounded Renault.
==Background==
For a third season in succession defending Champion Michael Schumacher opened his title defence with victory in Australia, and hence left the opening round of the season at the head of the field. Juan Pablo Montoya, meanwhile, would start the season with a second place ahead of Kimi Räikkönen, while Eddie Irvine appeared in the top five for the first time since leaving . Completing the first round scorers were Mark Webber and Mika Salo.
Ferrari had claimed victory and the Championship lead at the opening round for a fourth successive season courtesy of Schumacher, and hence started the season on ten points. were next ahead of , while , and had also registered points. For Minardi it was also a significant first points score since the 1999 European Grand Prix.
===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 	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 	 	R3 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R3 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
20 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Orange Arrows 	 	A23 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
21 	Enrique Bernoldi 	Orange Arrows 	 	A23 	 	CR-3 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:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
==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 	 	1:35.266 	— 	209.464 km/h
2 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:35.497 	+0.231s 	208.957 km/h
3 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:35.891 	+0.625s 	208.099 km/h
4 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:36.028 	+0.762s 	207.802 km/h
5 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:36.468 	+1.202s 	206.854 km/h
6 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	1:36.477 	+1.211s 	206.835 km/h
7 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:37.199 	+1.933s 	205.298 km/h
8 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	1:37.245 	+1.979s 	205.201 km/h
9 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:37.536 	+2.270s 	204.589 km/h
10 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	1:37.694 	+2.428s 	204.258 km/h
11 	20 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:37.919 	+2.653s 	203.789 km/h
12 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:37.920 	+2.654s 	203.787 km/h
13 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:38.039 	+2.773s 	203.539 km/h
14 	8 	Felipe Massa 	 	1:38.057 	+2.791s 	203.502 km/h
15 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	1:38.141 	+2.875s 	203.328 km/h
16 	21 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	1:38.284 	+3.018s 	203.032 km/h
17 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	1:38.374 	+3.108s 	202.846 km/h
18 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:38.390 	+3.124s 	202.813 km/h
19 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	1:38.959 	+3.693s 	201.647 km/h
20 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:39.121 	+3.855s 	201.318 km/h
21 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	1:39.454 	+4.188s 	200.644 km/h
22 	22 	Alex Yoong 	 	1:40.158 	+4.892s 	199.233 km/h
107% Time: 1:41.935 	107% Time: 1:41.935 	107% Time: 1:41.935 	107% Time: 1:41.935 	107% Time: 1:41.935 	107% Time: 1:41.935 	107% Time: 1:41.935
Source:'Malaysia 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/721/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/721/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/721/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/721/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/721/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/721/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)'2002 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2002/races/721/malaysia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
*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 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	56 	1:34:12.912 	4 	10
2 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	56 	+39.700s 	2 	6
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	56 	+1:01.795 	1 	4
4 	15 	Jenson Button 	 	56 	+1:09.767 	8 	3
5 	7 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	55 	+1 Lap 	7 	2
6 	8 	Felipe Massa 	 	55 	+1 Lap 	14 	1
7 	25 	Allan McNish 	 	55 	+1 Lap 	19 	
8 	11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	55 	+1 Lap 	13 	
9 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	54 	+2 Laps 	15 	
10 	17 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	54 	+2 Laps 	17 	
11 	20 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	54 	+2 Laps 	11 	
12 	24 	Mika Salo 	 	53 	+3 Laps 	10 	
13 	9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	53 	+3 Laps 	9 	
Ret 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	39 	Engine 	3 	
Ret 	23 	Mark Webber 	 	34 	Electrical 	21 	
Ret 	16 	Eddie Irvine 	 	30 	Hydraulics 	20 	
Ret 	22 	Alex Yoong 	 	29 	Gearbox 	22 	
Ret 	4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	24 	Engine 	5 	
Ret 	21 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	20 	Fuel pressure 	16 	
Ret 	3 	David Coulthard 	 	15 	Engine 	6 	
Ret 	12 	Olivier Panis 	 	9 	Clutch 	18 	
Ret 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	9 	Overheating 	12 	
Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)	Source:'Malaysia 2002: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Michael Schumacher claimed the 150th pole position for as a constructor and engine supplier.'2. Malaysia 2002', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2002/malaisie.aspx, (Accessed 13/11/2019)
* Fourth career victory for Ralf Schumacher.
* secured their 108th win as a constructor.
** claimed their fourteenth win as an engine supplier.
* Maiden points finish for Felipe Massa.
* Juan Pablo Montoya recorded the 120th fastest lap to be set using by a Williams chassis.
==Standings==
Victory had ensured that Ralf Schumacher leapt up the order in the early Championship table, ending the second weekend of the season in third on ten points. That left him four shy of his Championship leading brother Michael, with the German ace himself two ahead of Ralf's teammate Juan Pablo Montoya. Elsewhere, Kimi Räikkönen slipped to fourth ahead of Eddie Irvine and Jenson Button, with ten drivers on the score sheet.
In the Constructors Championship the one-two for had propelled the Anglo-German alliance to the top of the pack, establishing an eight point lead. hence slipped to second on fourteen points, although they still held a significant ten point margin over third placed . Elsewhere, , and were all level on three points, while and completed the early score sheet.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	14 	
2 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	12 	
3 	Ralf Schumacher 	10 	6
4 	Kimi Räikkönen 	4 	1
5 	Eddie Irvine 	3 	1
6 	Jenson Button 	3 	3
7 	Mark Webber 	2 	2
8 	Nick Heidfeld 	2 	1
9 	Mika Salo 	1 	3
10 	Felipe Massa 	1 	1
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	22 	1
2 	 	14 	1
3 	 	4 	
4 	 	3 	
5 	 	3 	3
6 	 	3 	2
7 	 	2 	2
8 	 	1 	2
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:Malaysian Grand Prix
Category:2002 Grands Prix