Ferrari's Michael Schumacher has celebrated his 100th career podium with probably one of his greatest ever victories. The German, who was written off a possible victor, drove brilliantly to cross the finish line just half a second ahead of charging brother, Ralf Schumacher. David Coulthard was third.
Unfortunately for Juan Pablo Montoya the Colombian lost out in the battle to get through the first corner first and was forced to give way to Schumacher. As a result, the infuriated Williams ace touches the back of the Ferrari which dislodges his front wing, forcing him to pit for a replacement. He regained the field in 20th position and put him out of the race for victory.
The Colombian however salvaged his race by battling back to fifth following some late retirments ahead, including both Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen. Jenson Button however put in another brillaint performance in holding off the Williams for the final ten laps in claiming his second successive fourth position. Toyota's Mika Salo capped another brilliant performance in sixth.
Local hero Rubens Barrichello suffered yet anothe Sao Paulo jinx after once
again retiring from the lead of the race. The Brazilian, who started with an extremely light fuel load, sithed his way through the field to lead after 10 laps but all victory hopes were later dashed by hydraulic problems. "It was hydraulic pressure, no gears, no drive, no nothing," he gasped after jogging back to the pits. "I was just driving flat out, that's all I could do."
This left the road clear for Michael Schumacher to then open up a comfortable lead in the new Ferrari F2002, and much to the suprise of Williams in particular, was able to hold off the attentions of brother Ralf to cap his 100th career podium with probably one of his best victories. At the end of the race Schumacher put his victory down to the new car. "The car was perfect," he said.
"We didn't suffer any problems, but it was a very tight race with Ralf," he
admitted, "though I was confident I could win and winning in the new car makes us optimistic for other races."
Schumacher how played down his second successive contact with Juan
Montoya, claiming he didn't even know that they had touched. "Juan Pablo behaved really well. I thought I could out-brake him really well, he just left enough space for me," he said. "I don't actually know what happened in turn four, but I didn't feel anything. I just saw him lose his front wing and saw him dropping back."
Eurosport.com (kwestie van is een andere bron
)