Rubens Barrichello wins a thrilling race ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya and
Kimi Raikkonen. Michael Schumacher salvages 4th ahead of David Coulthard and
Jarno Trulli while Cristiano da Matta and Jenson Button make the top 8.
Only 3 cars failed to make it to the finish demonstrating amazing car
reliability and driver professionalism despite the numerous overtaking manoeuvres
throughout the race.
The race started with both Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen getting ahead of
Pole setter Rubens Barrichello. Ralf Schumacher maintained 3rd ahead of
Michael Schumacher with Juan Pablo Montoya in 6th ahead of Fernando Alonso and
Cristiano da Matta.
Just a few laps into the race and David Coulthard's head restraint on the
car got blown away and was left on the track in a dangerous position which
forced the safety car to be deployed on lap 6. The gap that Trulli made over
Raikkonen disappeared.
David Coulthard had to pit to replace his head rest while the 2 Toyotas
also pitted at the time and so did Ralf Firman.
At the restart, no change to the leaders but Montoya tried to overtake
Michael but without success.
Order following lap 9: Jarno Trulli, Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello,
Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya, Fernando Alonso and
Jacques Villeneuve
Rubens Barrichello manages to get ahead of Kimi Raikkonen for second place
On lap 13, another safety car situation, this time due to a crazy man going
onto the track (reminds us of Hockenhiem 2000). All the cars pit (except those
who pitted earlier) with some drivers waiting for their team-mates in the
pits.
da Matta, Panis, Coulthard and Firman were the only drivers not to pit
due to their earlier stops and they were all in the top 8!
Order before safety car pits: Cristiano da Matta, Olivier Panis, David
Coulthard, Jarno Trulli, Kimi Raikkonen, Ralf Schumacher, Ralf Firman, Rubens
Barrichello.
Michael Schumacher back in 14th place.
At the restart, Raikkonen gets ahead of Trulli then his team-mate then
ahead of Panis.
Rubens Barrichello takes Ralf Schumacher in a spectacular move and Montoya
gets ahead of Ralf as well
Order after lap 18: Cristiano da Matta, Kimi Raikkonen, Olivier Panis,
David Coulthard, Jarno Trulli, Rubens Barrichello, Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf
Schumacher.
Kimi Raikkonen closes in on Cristiano da Matta.
Ralf Schumacher pits and changes his tyres
Rubens Barrichello starts attacking Jarno Trulli without success, meanwhile
Michael Schumacher appears stuck behind Alonso in 13th place
Barrichello manages to get ahead of Trulli and so did Montoya
Order after lap 27: Cristiano da Matta, Kimi Raikkonen, Olivier Panis,
David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jarno Trulli and Mark
Webber
Barrichello and Montoya pass Olivier Panis who appears to have a problem
David Coulthard pits on lap 28.
Cristiano da Matta pits from the lead on lap 30.
Order after lap 32: Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello, Juan Pablo Montoya,
Jarno Trulli, Fernando Alonso, Cristiano da Matta, Michael Schumacher and Ralf
Firman
Antonio Pizzonia becomes the first retirement of the day!.
Raikkonen pits from the lead on lap 34 and rejoins in 5th.
Jarno Trulli pits on lap 36 and both Montoya and Alonso pit on lap 38.
Barrichello puts in a few fast laps to try and pass Raikkonen via the pits. He
pits on lap 39 and rejoins just behind Kimi Raikkonen.
Barrichello catches Raikkonen and passes him on lap 42. Spectacular driving
by Rubens Barrichello today!.
Order after lap 44: Rubens Barrichello, Kimi Raikkonen, Juan Pablo Montoya,
David Coulthard, Jarno Trulli, Olivier Panis, Michael Schumacher and Cristiano
da Matta.
Giancarlo Fisichella suffers a broken suspension and retires.
Olivier Panis makes his 3rd stop on lap 45 and David Coulthard pits on lap 47.
Michael Schumacher manages to gets ahead of Trulli and takes while
Kimi Raikkonen makes a mistake allowing Montoya through.
Order after lap 50: Rubens Barrichello, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Raikkonen,
Michael Schumacher, Jarno Trulli, David Coulthard, Cristiano da Matta and
Fernando Alonso.
Alonso retires with a gearbox problem. Only the 3rd retirement of the day.
Jenson Button who started last finds himself in the points!
Coulthard takes 5th from Trulli!
And Rubens Barrichello wins his 1st race of the season ahead of Juan Pablo
Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen. Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Jarno Trulli,
Cristiano da Matta and Jenson Button make the top 8.
In the Drivers' Championship, Michael Schumacher managed to salvage a few
points and remains in the lead with 69 points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen with 62
who had the potential to score more than 6 points today. Juan Pablo Montoya
moves into 3rd ahead of his team-mate with 55 points with Ralf Schumacher in
4th with 53 and Rubens Barrichello in 5th with 49. Alonso (39), Coulthard (33)
and Trulli (16) make the top 8.
In the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari extend their lead over Williams
to 10 points (118 to 108) while McLaren are in 3rd with 95 points. Renault are
now a distant 4th with 55 points while BAR (14), Jaguar (12), Jordan (11) and
Sauber (9) make the top 8 although it seems that Toyota may be about to join
them with 7 points.
