2001 Australian Grand Prix

The 2001 Australian Grand Prix, otherwise officially the LXVI Qantas Australian Grand Prix, was the opening round of the 2001 FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, on 4 March 2001.'Australian GP, 2001', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr664.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019) Attended by 128,500 people, the Australian Grand Prix would see several drivers make their F1 debuts, including future World Champions Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen, as well as mark the 500th Grand Prix for a engine.'1. Australia 2001', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)
A busy winter had seen several driver changes, with Alonso joining , while the relatively unknown Räikkönen moved to having completed just 23 races before his F1 debut. , meanwhile, decided to loan Jenson Button to for two seasons, allowing them to sign 1999 CART Champion Juan Pablo Montoya to partner Ralf Schumacher.
Yet, there would be no changes at the top end of the field, with and their lead driver Michael Schumacher arriving as the favourites to retain their crowns from . The German ace duly claimed pole position for the opening round, setting a lap four seconds faster than the previous record, with teammate Rubens Barrichello beating 's Mika Häkkinen to second.
Raceday dawned cool and grey, with McLaren emerging fastest in the warm-up, although their hopes were immediately dashed at the start, for Schumacher made a barnstorming start to claim the lead. Barrichello, meanwhile, would bog down and hence was unable to prevent Häkkinen's bid for second, while behind David Coulthard had a bruising battle with Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Ralf Schumacher into the first corner, bouncing off both before slipping back down the field. Button used the spare Benetton; his mechanics remained on the grid to work on the car before the formation lap began, entailing an investigation by the race stewards resulting in Button incurring a ten-second stop-go penalty.
Montoya likewise had an eventful start, charging up the field only to slide into the grass at turn one, before tipping Eddie Irvine into a half-spin at turn three. Ralf Schumacher, meanwhile, would hold onto fourth until the start of the second lap, only to crack under pressure from Barrichello braking for turn one and slide onto the grass.
Barrichello subsequently claimed third from Frentzen with an aggressive move into turn one a lap later, resulting in the sliding into the gravel. However, that would be overshadowed by a huge accident a few moments later, as Ralf Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve tangled on the run to turn three, sending the spiralling through the air.
Both Schumacher and Villeneuve emerged unscathed, although marshal Graham Beveridge was less fortunate, having received a fatal impact from a wheel thrown from Villeneuve's car. The Safety Car was called to allow the incident to be cleared, with the race resuming on lap fifteen.
Häkkinen's race would come to an end a few laps later, a suspension failure pitching his car into the wall, handing second to Barrichello. However, the Finn's teammate Coulthard was steadily reeling in the #2 Ferrari, and would duly snatched second from the Brazilian when Barrichello misjudged a move to lap Alonso into the first corner.
With that the race was effectively over, for Coulthard was unable to catch Michael Schumacher out front after the pitstops. The German ace hence collected his 45th career victory ahead of the Scot, with Barrichello completing the podium. Behind them came Nick Heidfeld, Frentzen and the debutante Räikkönen, albeit after Olivier Panis was penalised for overtaking the former under yellow flags.
==Background==
===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 	 	3.0 V10 	
21 	Fernando Alonso 	European Minardi F1 	 	PS01 	 	3.0 V10 	
22 	Jean Alesi 	Prost Acer 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
23 	Gastón Mazzacane 	Prost Acer 	 	AP04 	 	01A 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/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 	 	1:26.892 	— 	219.707 km/h
2 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:27.263 	+0.371s 	218.773 km/h
3 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:27.461 	+0.569s 	218.278 km/h
4 	11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:27.658 	+0.766s 	217.787 km/h
5 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:27.719 	+0.827s 	217.636 km/h
6 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	1:28.010 	+1.118s 	216.916 km/h
7 	12 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:28.377 	+1.485s 	216.015 km/h
8 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:28.435 	+1.543s 	215.874 km/h
9 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:28.518 	+1.626s 	215.671 km/h
10 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:28.615 	+1.723s 	215.435 km/h
11 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:28.738 	+1.846s 	215.137 km/h
12 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:28.965 	+2.073s 	214.588 km/h
13 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:28.993 	+2.101s 	214.520 km/h
14 	22 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:29.893 	+3.001s 	212.373 km/h
15 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:29.934 	+3.042s 	212.276 km/h
16 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	1:30.035 	+3.143s 	212.038 km/h
17 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:30.209 	+3.317s 	211.629 km/h
18 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	1:30.520 	+3.628s 	210.901 km/h
19 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:30.657 	+3.765s 	210.583 km/h
20 	23 	Gastón Mazzacane 	 	1:30.798 	+3.906s 	210.256 km/h
21 	19 	Luciano Burti 	 	1:30.978 	+4.086s 	209.840 km/h
107% Time: 1:32.974 	107% Time: 1:32.974 	107% Time: 1:32.974 	107% Time: 1:32.974 	107% Time: 1:32.974 	107% Time: 1:32.974 	107% Time: 1:32.974
NC* 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	1:33.228 	+6.336s 	204.775 km/h
Source:'2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/703/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/703/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/703/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/703/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/703/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/703/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2001/races/703/australia/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 04/11/2019)'Australia 2001: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/qualification.aspx, (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.
** Marques was allowed to start despite failing to set a time within 107% of the fastest lap at the stewards' discretion.
===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 	 	58 	1:38:26.553 	1 	10
2 	4 	David Coulthard 	 	58 	+1.717s 	6 	6
3 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	58 	+33.491s 	2 	4
4 	16 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	58 	+1:11.479 	10 	3
5 	11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	58 	+1:12.807 	4 	2
6 	17 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	58 	+1:24.143 	13 	1
7* 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	58 	+1:27.050 	9 	
8 	19 	Luciano Burti 	 	57 	+1 Lap 	21 	
9 	22 	Jean Alesi 	 	57 	+1 Lap 	14 	
10* 	14 	Jos Verstappen 	 	57 	+1 Lap 	15 	
11 	18 	Eddie Irvine 	 	57 	+1 Lap 	12 	
12 	21 	Fernando Alonso 	 	56 	+2 Laps 	19 	
13 	7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	55 	+3 Laps 	17 	
14† 	8 	Jenson Button 	 	52 	Electrics 	16 	
Ret 	6 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	40 	Engine 	11 	
Ret 	12 	Jarno Trulli 	 	38 	Clutch 	7 	
Ret 	3 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	25 	Suspension 	3 	
Ret 	5 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	4 	Collision 	5 	
Ret 	10 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	4 	Collision 	8 	
Ret 	20 	Tarso Marques 	 	3 	Battery 	22 	
Ret 	15 	Enrique Bernoldi 	 	2 	Spin 	18 	
Ret 	23 	Gastón Mazzacane 	 	0 	Brakes 	20 	
Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)	Source:'Australia 2001: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2001/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/11/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Panis and Verstappen were both awarded 25s time penalties for overtaking under yellow flags.
*† Button was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* 500th Grand Prix for as an engine supplier.
* First race for , and as engine suppliers.
* Debut race for Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya and Enrique Bernoldi.
* 75th race entry for Giancarlo Fisichella and Jos Verstappen.'2001 Australian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2001&gp=Australian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 04/11/2019)
* Michael Schumacher claimed his 45th career victory.
* secured their 136th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Schumacher set a record 42nd career fastest lap.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher would, 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.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	10 	
2 	David Coulthard 	6 	
3 	Rubens Barrichello 	4 	
4 	Nick Heidfeld 	3 	
5 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	2 	
6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	14 	
2 	 	6 	
3 	 	4 	
4 	 	2 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Australian Grand Prix
Category:2001 Grands Prix