NewsOnF1 - 2002 US GP

Rubens Barrichello wins the United States Grand Prix in what might have been a mistake!. Michael Schumacher led from start to finish (except during the pits stops) and he appeared to slow down just before the finish line for Ferrari to have both their cars crossing the line together. Well they almost did as Rubens Barrichello managed to do so by just 0.011 seconds. Sure it could be the smallest ever margin but the 2 weren't racing.
Both Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher struggled to explain what happened at the end of the race during the press conference. Reading Michael Schumacher's body language, one can tell that he wasn't too pleased with the result.
Handing the win to Rubens doesn't serve any purpose as Rubens Barrichello would clinch second place in the drivers' championship regardless of who of the two won.
This is what domination can lead to!

Behind the 2 Ferraris, David Coulthard finished in 3rd ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya. Jarno Trulli drove a strong race to finish in 5th ahead of Jacques Villeneuve.

The race started with Michael Schumacher maintaining his position ahead of Rubens Barrichello. Coulthard was 3rd with Ralf Schumacher moving ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya. Jarno Trulli once again had a great start moving from 8th to 6th.
At the end of the first lap, Juan Pablo Montoya attempts to pass Ralf Schumacher. Ralf defending his position spins and touches Montoya. He spins off and loses his rear-wing. Montoya loses 2 places as a result. This moves Trulli in 4th and Raikkonen into 5th.
Ralf Schumacher returned to the track after a long pit stop and was a lap down.

The 2 Ferraris in front start to increase the gap but they didn't appear as dominant as they were at Monza. Coulthard settled in 3rd with Trulli behind while Raikkonen was being caught by Jacques Villeneuve.
On lap 14 Villeneuve managed to take 5th from Raikkonen.

All the Bridgestone runners were on a 2 stop strategy with the exception of Fisichella while all the Michelin runners were on a single stop except for Salo.

At the first round of pit stops (which started at around lap 22), the Ferraris still managed to stay ahead of David Coulthard but it was close. Coulthard was only 2 seconds behind after the 2 Ferraris rejoined. Coulthard of course being on a single stop.

Jarno Trulli was the first of the 2 stoppers to stop, going in on lap 30 which borders the 2 stopper window. The Renault however proved to be efficient enough to get to the finish without having to stop again.
David Coulthard on the other hand was one of the last driver to make his first and only stop going in on lap 42. Kimi Raikkonen went in a lap later on lap 43!.
Raikkonen retires with a blown engine a few laps later.

Around lap 50, the 2 stoppers pit.

Top 6 after all drivers completed their stops : Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jarno Trulli and Jacques Villeneuve.

Following the second pit stops from Ferrari, the 2 drivers dropped their pace and it appeared as if they settled the results. David Coulthard was being caught by Juan Pablo Montoya but the gap was too big to make in the remaining laps.

The order remained the same until moments before the 2 Ferraris crossed the finish line when Michael Schumacher deliberately or by mistake handed the win to Rubens Barrichello.

So Rubens Barrichello clinches 2nd place in the championship and now has 71 points. Michael Schumacher increases his points total to another record, 134. David Coulthard closes in on Ralf Schumacher with 41 points (Ralf has 42). Montoya scores 3 points and is now 5 points ahead of Ralf. Jarno Trulli continues his strong form scoring 2 points and moving into 8th in the championship ahead of Irvine while Jacques Villeneuve score another points giving him a total of 4 points this season.

In the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari now have a massive 205 points ahead of Williams with 89 points and McLaren with 61 points. Williams have now clinched second place in the championship.
Renault consolidated their 4th place with the 2 points from Trulli and now have 22 points while BAR are now equal on points with Jordan but have moved ahead of them based on BAR having a better finishing position.

While the final race of the season won't be a fight for 1st or even 2nd in either championships, there will be a few positions to settle.

Click here of the Drivers' Championship table for this season

Next stop: The Japanese GP on the 13th of October.

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