Even Formula 1 bends to the World Cup. For the first time, Saturday, June 22, 2002, coinciding with the television broadcast of the match of the quarter-finals in Osaka, between Senegal and the winner between Japan and Turkey, scheduled for 1:30 p.m., the qualifying of the European Grand Prix will go ahead from 12:15 p.m. at 1:15 p.m. It is obviously not an agreement to allow the circus of engines to reschedule qualifying but a move to keep the audience high during one of the most spectacular and interesting moments of the weekend. The race is held at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany, a few kilometres from the birthplace of the Schumacher brothers, who are also the only German drivers to have won a championship race in their country. For the ninth round of the World Championship, at the turning point of the season, Ferrari presents some new aerodynamics and perhaps even electronic evolutions, but it will still use the same engines fitted in Canada, a little more powerful in qualifying and standard for the Grand Prix. In 2001 the fight for pole position was a challenge between the two Schumachers. Michael was the fastest and won the race, as he had done the previous year. But the fastest lap was obtained by Juan Pablo Montoya who had then finished second in the race. Williams - after engine problems in Canada - has been working hard these days on reliability and hopes to overturn the prediction still favourable to Ferrari. Ralf Schumacher says:
"We still have a small hope to snatch the title from the Italian team".
Meanwhile Giancarlo Fisichella will celebrate his 100th Grand Prix. In the last three races the Italian driver with the Jordan-Honda finished in the top six. And Honda at the Nurburgring will bring a new engine for him and the BAR drivers. Giancarlo Fisichella says:
"We can get the first podium".
It would be a great way to celebrate the anniversary. Tuesday, June 18, 2002 Michael Schumacher arrives on the home track and finds it radically changed. Discover the Nurburgring circuit where the European Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2002, lengthened by 588 metres, with three new corners after the straight of the pits. The teams will be obliged to review the tuning of the cars and the drivers to study some different trajectory and references. We will have to pay attention especially at the start since, instead of a chicane, competitors will find a sharp right-hand corner, with a braking from about 300 km/h to less than 100 km/h. But these innovations don’t seem to worry the German driver and Scuderia Ferrari too much. The F2002 so far has been competitive on every track and should have made some further progress after the last tests at Mugello. But surely there will be a reaction from the opponents. Michael Schumacher, who is aiming for the seventh win of the season, is more afraid of Williams-Bmw and therefore his brother, Ralf Schumacher, and Juan Pablo Montoya, but McLaren - very fast in practice at Jerez - may have prepared a surprise. Then there will be the usual talk about the tyres; the rivals of the Maranello team with Michelins, the Ferrari cars with Bridgestones. In Canada the French suppliers had excelled in qualifying (with Juan Pablo Montoya) but in the race the Japanese had returned the blow largely because of the German champion. The new track length (5144 metres, before was 4556 metres) could force some teams to change strategy for the race, reducing the pit stops from two to one. So many unknowns to deal with, a bit of interest in the championship. Although Friday, June 21, 2002, the athletes will be forced to follow Germany against the United States in the football World Cup, the circuit of Eifel is expected to be sold out. Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher will start a series of parties. On Wednesday, June 19, 2002, in Kerpen, his hometown, he will host the whole Ferrari team for the traditional kart race with the participation of Rubens Barrichello, who is optimistic for the race:
"In Canada I was still bad, but I am in shape and maybe my moment arrives in Germany".
On Tuesday, June 25, 2002, then, the World Champion will open, always in Kerpen, the Gallery where all the cars with which he and his brother Ralf raced will be exhibited, along with trophies, images and finds of various kinds. In the last two years, the Ferrari driver won at the Nurburgring and in 2001 was also in pole position. At the start Michael Schumacher had got messed up and to counter the attempt of overtaking Ralf Schumacher had not hesitated to tighten the trajectory on the right, towards the wall, where Williams was. Now the little brother has been cornered by the team:
"You must not suffer an inferiority complex towards Michael".
Also because Juan Pablo Montoya pushes hard on the accelerator. Little Schumachers grow up. Mick and Gina Maria, three and seven years old, already drive karts as experienced drivers. The two brothers perform in Kerpen, in the party that the German Ferrari driver has organised for the team. A dynasty is preparing. Meanwhile, Michael has to defend himself against the attacks of Juan Pablo Montoya and his teammate in the European Grand Prix that takes place on his home track. For the occasion the Maranello team has prepared a F2002 with many new features. For the first time the technicians will use bidirectional telemetry, allowed by the regulations from the beginning of the season. You can check and possibly correct many functions of the car from the pits, limiting the effort of the driver who can focus on driving. There will therefore also be an unprecedented space steering wheel. But it isn’t enough: the Maranello car is equipped with a different engine hood, so aerodynamics suits the type of circuit (slower, with three tight corners after the start). Opponents don’t reveal their secrets, but they are also upgrades for Williams and McLaren. Friday, June 21, 2002, McLaren is still the fastest car. David Coulthard sets the fastest time on the first day of free practice, racing in 1'31"886, averaging 201.615 km/h. And the first limit set on the redesigned and stretched circuit. Ferrari tests a new and sophisticated engine hood on Michael Schumacher’s car and debuts two-way telemetry, also using a completely new steering wheel. The German scores the second time, 0.155 seconds behind, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello, Juan Pablo Montoya and his brother Ralf Schumacher. Jarno Trulli is seventh and would be the target of the Italian tax authorities for the period in which he drove the Minardi. The Italian driver, however, denies having received tax assessment notices from Finance. After the tests, Michael Schumacher jumps off his Ferrari and flies, running, to the motorhome to watch television. Barrichello stages a fake dispute with Ross Brawn, who drops a British national hat on his head. Felipe Massa, the young Sauber driver, dances on a table when Rivaldo scores the goal of one to zero. Enrique Bernoldi consoles himself with the modest performance of the Arrows thanks to the success of the green-gold seleção. Also in Formula 1 the World Cup distracts the protagonists from their commitment on the track. The German champion doesn’t hide his joy for the German victory.
"I didn’t have time to see the goal, but after one to zero the team of Voeller played well, it could also have scored another goal. In the end I have to admit that I was a little shaky, but we did it. Congratulations also to the Americans, a good team, it isn’t a bad formation. I think the difference came out of our compactness. There are no big stars, but the game is fluid and decided".
Were you thinking about the football match when you were driving the Ferrari?
"No, but I was trying to make some quick laps to finish early... I don’t know if we’ll make it to the final. But, if that happens, we wouldn’t be the favourites. Brazil played very well, Ronaldinho’s goal of one to zero was a shock, however it is in the logic of the sport, we must accept it".
A few hours before, Rubens Barrichello had seen with all tranquillity the encounter between Brazil and England.
"First in the hotel with the family, then in the paddock, always alone with my wife Silvana. I had a lot of fun, also because our technicians, the British ones, had prepared a whole series of signs in which they praised the easy success that their team would get. In the next game, between Germans and Americans, I honestly sided with the United States as we are from the same continent. And I must say that they didn’t play badly, maybe they deserved something more".
Brazil could face Germany in the final...
"Let’s wait, there are still Senegal or Turkey involved, as far as we are concerned, Spain or Korea for the Germans. I’ve liked the Spaniards so far. However, if we get to the decisive clash, I’m sorry for Michael, but I will cheer for our team".
Someone suggests that on that occasion there will be no team orders...
"No, that’s for sure. I hope in a Brazil-Germany final, this time we win...".
The judgement of the Paulista driver on the referees is harsh:
"They were the great disappointment of the World Cup. Ronaldinho’s expulsion was also unfair. They hit the hand, as in many other games. Fortunately we handled it well".
Can you say that Brazil is the Ferrari of football?
"Yes, we hope so".
Among other things, in Formula 1 there is a funny situation: there are three Brazilian drivers and three Germans involved in the World Championship, who are teammates: Barrichello and Schumacher at Ferrari, Massa-Heidfeld at Sauber and Bernoldi-Frentzen at Arrows. But even Ralf Schumacher has a definite antagonist: if there is one who would like to see a triumph of Brazil, this is the Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya. Saturday, June 22, 2002, the European Grand Prix, for the turning point of the Formula 1 World Championship, re-presents the game of couples. In the starting grid we will find, in perfect order, two Williams-Bmws, two Ferraris, two McLaren-Mercedes and two Renaults, which are among other things the great powers of the circus. If we want, in the exact geometry of the qualifying result there is only one strident element, the first place conquered by Juan Pablo Montoya who puts behind Ralf Schumacher with a perfect lap. The others respect their roles: Michael Schumacher before Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Jarno Trulli on Jenson Button. In some respects the pole position of the Colombian driver is a surprise. For Juan Pablo Montoya himself, for Ralf Schumacher and also for Williams-Bmw, since the Anglo-German team, just before the start of the timed laps, spoke openly of challenge for the second row. Then things turned out differently.
Juan Pablo Montoya, known as One, with a time of 1'29"906, at an average of 206.055 km/h, beats the astonished Ralf Schumacher, who is largely in the lead ten minutes from the end and can no longer replicate. Shortly afterwards he resisted the last attack of Michael Schumacher with Ferrari, who was 0.1 seconds ahead after passing the second sector of the track and lost 0.2 seconds in the last sector.
"My fault, I made a couple of small mistakes in the two corners that lead to the right of the pits. I could score the best time".
Juan Pablo Montoya, however, has taken a liking: this is his third consecutive pole position, the fourth of the season, after Brazil, Monaco and Canada, the seventh in his Formula 1 career. To prove, if still needed, that he knows how to put his foot on the accelerator and that, when it comes to making the most of the car’s potential, he is second to none. It was from last year’s Belgian Grand Prix (but he had also done so in the race before Hockenheim) that Williams-Bmw couldn’t occupy the whole front row. For the record, on both occasions the Schumachers had won: Ralf in Germany and Michael in Spa. Now Juan Pablo Montoya contemplates revenge, he wants revenge. Nevertheless, it won’t be an easy race because Ferrari, as in Montreal, should be more competitive in the race than in qualifying. In fact, the F2002 expressed itself somewhat below its expectations and possibilities. If Rubens Barrichello couldn’t find a perfect set-up, Michael Schumacher encountered some difficulties too. The gearbox stuck in the first lap in qualifying and the German, slowly returned to the pits, was then forced to use the reserve car, which was incidentally devoid of the new engine hood that could give some advantage. The World Champion then braked abruptly at the first corner in his initial attempt and made the fatal mistakes in the third, having played a possible fourth round with that lap in slow motion in his debut. The themes of the race are always the same: the tyres, the strategy (one or two stops), the start. Jarno Trulli, very happy with his seventh place, says:
"I’ll do my best in the race. I’m afraid of that first corner, since it’s a funnel. Whoever can pass it unscathed, will have a good chance to finish at least in the points".
Of course, that hairpin turn to the right after the straight line, where you go from 300 km/h to the first gear is a nightmare. And it looks like they designed the new circuit just so they could put in new forums for 10.000 seats. The power of the money god. The track of the new Nurburgring, moreover, is full of traps. It is easy to get out like a tramp, among the ripples of the asphalt, traitorous kerbs and strange trajectories. Fortunately the escape routes are wide, but it won’t be a coincidence if after the start there will be a heap with a lot of junk to throw. Giancarlo Fisichella, to boost his morale after the P18 with his Jordan-Honda that for mysterious reasons was not good, says:
"I hope I don’t take that risk because I’m far behind. I can only do the rain dance and hope to get some points".
The two Williams in the front row, and who expected it? In Ferrari they were disappointed, Michael Schumacher complained. It is curious that not even the two protagonists believed it, Juan Pablo Montoya, third consecutive pole position, and Ralf, detached by 0.009 seconds, that is nothing.
"I’m happy, in the morning I had a lot of problems with the tyres and the tuning, I really didn’t think I would improve so much".
For once, his teammate completely agrees with him:
"The goal was the second row and instead I found a car that went faster every lap".
The German started second even a year ago, but then in the lead there was his brother. Ralf Schumacher archives the controversies:
"There better be two Williams ahead. Michael will find it harder to pass".
Hard tries, those of Michael Schumacher. The first attempt is immediately aborted.
"The gearbox was blocked, I had to go back to the pits to take the spare car. Third place? I’ve experienced worse situations in the past".
And the 43-point advantage over the pursuers is a comfortable cushion to relax on. The mistake on track, however, weighs on the Teutonic pride of the Ferrari driver: what happened?
"At the exit of the chicane I went too wide, the wheels got dirty and I lost traction".
Another note out of tune: this is the home circuit of the Schumachers, originally from nearby Kerpen, and Michael wants to do well in front of his audience. Is he worried?
"No, it depends on how the race goes".
Statistics say that Juan Pablo Montoya never manages to capitalise the advantage of pole: two points and three retirements in the four attempts of 2002. But the numbers don’t interest the World Champion, much more sensitive to concrete issues such as trim, speed and tyres. The Bridgestone tyres of the beginning of the championship seem to have lost a little of competitiveness, at least in qualifying.
"Our tyres have guaranteed us consistent lap times over the weekend, the Michelins have a different behaviour. We know that at Williams they use the tyres to make them almost slick and then their cars go faster. I’m curious to see if it happens here too. What’s new on the track? At the first corner we might see some action, in the others the section is too narrow for anything to happen. However, we can also win starting from the third position".
Or maybe you lose, wishes Juan Pablo Montoya:
"Schumacher has been lucky so far. I think about the time he broke the engine in the warm up. In the race, however, he never had any problems".
Rubens Barrichello was fourth.
"I reduced the gap I had in the morning. I was surprised by the Williams. I am calm: at Nurburgring it is more difficult to overtake than in Canada, but we will see what can be invented: in race configuration we have always proven to be competitive".
On Sunday, June 23, 2002, at the start of the European Grand Prix, Ralf Schumacher overtakes his teammate, taking the lead. Rubens Barrichello makes the same manoeuvre against Michael Schumacher, while David Coulthard has to give up his attempt to attack the two Ferrari drivers. Further back Giancarlo Fisichella hits his teammate Takuma Sato, compromising both his own race and that of the Japanese. Ralf Schumacher holds the lead for only a few corners, as he is overtaken by Rubens Barrichello during the first lap. A few corners later Michael Schumacher overtakes Juan Pablo Montoya and takes the third position, also overtaking Ralf Schumacher during the third lap and taking the second position. The two Ferrari drivers immediately gain a great margin on the pursuers: after ten laps Rubens Barrichello has an advantage of about 16 seconds over Ralf Schumacher, third, and 18 seconds over Juan Pablo Montoya, fourth. The race is enlivened by several overtakings in the middle of the group: Jarno Trulli, author of a spin in the first rounds, recovers several positions returning to eighth place. On lap 17, Kimi Räikkönen makes a mistake and loses the sixth position to Jenson Button. On lap 24, Michael Schumacher spins, losing 10 seconds in a confrontation with teammate Rubens Barrichello. Fortunately, however, the German driver doesn’t lose any position. The World Champion returns to the pits shortly after to make his first refuelling, still maintaining second place. In the meantime, the two Williams-Bmw cars, starting with a one-stop strategy, begin to experience tyre wear problems. During lap 28, David Coulthard attacks Juan Pablo Montoya on the outside at the first corner, but the Colombian, in an attempt to resist, loses control of his Williams-Bmw: the two cars come into contact and the two drivers are forced to retire. During lap 30, right in the middle of the race, Ralf Schumacher stops in the pits, returning to the track in sixth position. Five laps later also Kimi Räikkönen, the last driver to haven’t yet pitted, makes his pit stop, returning to the track ahead of the German driver of Williams-Bmw and climbing to third position after the second stop of the two Renaults. In the middle of the race Michael Schumacher reduces the gap from his teammate, bringing him to less than a second after the second stop of Rubens Barrichello. Ferrari engineers decide, however, not to take risks of a possible duel on the track, forcing the drivers to maintain positions until the finish line.
Rubens Barrichello wins the European Grand Prix and takes his second career victory, ahead of Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, Ralf Schumacher, Jenson Button and Felipe Massa. By now, Ferrari doesn’t even have to worry about taking pole position. Starting from the second row, the two cars of Maranello were already in the lead with Rubens Barrichello at the end of the first lap, first and second after a couple of sessions. And with the same positions, to sign a fantastic one-two, the European Grand Prix is over. The Brazilian on the top step of the podium almost two years after his only success (Hockenheim 2000) and Michael Schumacher second. Both happy and satisfied. It took, however, a team order to establish the order of arrival. Half an hour later, the decision came from the pits: cross the finish line without taking risks, that is, avoid dangerous overtakings. Michael Schumacher, who was also faster than his teammate, joined and remained in the shadow of Rubens Barrichello’s success. A big sacrifice for the World Champion in front of his audience on the track where he practically started his motorsport career. And there are many fans: 150.000, which totaled 80,000 on Friday and 120.000 on Saturday, constitute the Eifel circuit record, with 350.000 admissions. There were two episodes that determined the result in favour of the Brazilian. An extraordinary start by Rubens, for effectiveness and determination and a mistake by Michael on lap 23. Miraculously saved from the initial tussle at the first corner where all the best (Ralf and Michael Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya, David Coulthard, Kimi Raikkonen) slipped in like a group of cyclists sprinting in front of the finish line, elbow to elbow, Rubens Barrichello in a few hundred metres overtook the two Williams-Bmws. Very fast actions. First on Juan Pablo Montoya, who had been passed by his teammate, then on Ralf Schumacher, both shocked. Michael Schumacher, snuck into the wild rivals, took a little longer. An immediate hit on the Colombian and another round to tuck in his little brother. Among other things, if you look closely at the overtaking action immediately by the German in slow motion, Montoya was not quite correct. He moved a couple of times and then he also braked hard because he entered too wide into the turn. Michael avoided it for a few centimetres, thanks to the extraordinary shot of his F2002.
Ferrari had devised a two-stop strategy, the strongest rivals (Williams and McLaren) aiming for a one-stopper. One attacking team and two others in defence. With Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello in the lead, there was nothing left to do but fight between teammates. But Michael thought of it as a thrill. And that’s where it went all out in the first place. On lap 23 the German lost control of his Ferrari. A skid and the spin at Rtl Kurve, the passage on the ground and then the return to the track, without damage but with about ten seconds on the back of delay. So Michael Schumacher couldn’t adopt his favourite tactic, that of overtaking in the pits and was also then delayed by traffic at the second stop. Rubens Barrichello was safe at that point. Also because the situation was clearly favourable. Just before (lap 28) David Coulthard had tried to snatch fourth place to Juan Pablo Montoya and the Colombian, struggling with worn tyres, had half a glimpse of hitting the McLaren-Mercedes of the blameless Scottish driver. With two drivers fighting for the title retired, it was easier for Jean Todt to make certain decisions, however justified by the good race of Rubens Barrichello. But in the end, the numbers remain. After nine races, Michael Schumacher has 70 points, 46 ahead of Ralf Schumacher, 49 on the reckless Juan Pablo Montoya and 50 on David Coulthard. The title is not yet mathematically conquered, but it won’t be enough of a miracle to remove the German driver from his pedestal. And you can make a similar speech about the standings of the Constructors' World Championship: Ferrari is at 102 points, 45 points ahead of Williams and 65 on McLaren. With the team supplied by Mercedes in the phase of a slow recovery and the one with Bmw engines a little uphill. The cars of David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen are using Michelin tyres better than those driven by Ralf Schumacher and Montoya. Williams' aggressive tactics in qualifying no longer paid off in the race. While the Ferrari-Bridgestone pairing, even according to opponents, seems to have become invincible.
"Thank you, thank you for letting me win".
At the finish, the onboard radio of the Ferrari with the bittersweet joy of Rubens Barrichello broadcasts worldwide. They made him win by giving him an incredible car, they made him win respecting the verdict of the track, him in front and his teammate behind. The Brazilian driver barely holds back his tears: two years ago, in the rain of Hockenheim, he watered the podium of his first Formula 1 success.
"I have matured".
He repeats often. Rubens Barrichello gets out of the car making the gesture of lulling a child, as the Seleção players did at the 1994 World Cup: it is a dedication to his son Eduardo. Then he receives the hug of Michael Schumacher, runs to his wife Silvana, kisses her, receives the celebration of the team and would stay there if a circuit attendant didn’t bring him back to reality and bureaucracy of the end of the race: weighing, the podium, the national anthem (in silence, one hand on the heart and the other held around a flag of Brazil), the champagne shower, the press conferences. Did Barrichello fear a team order like in Austria? Predictable, inevitable, obvious question. And no answer:
"Ross Brawn, the engineers and I talked on the radio the whole race. My Ferrari was great from start to finish. After the second pit stop we were advised to stay focused and get the car to the finish line. My family is here: let me celebrate and let’s not talk about this anymore".
The good Brazilian driver prefers to tell the first lap, which led him from fourth to first place in a succession of emotions and detached to the limit.
"I got a good start, and at the first corner I saw that there was a space between the two Williams and I got in. Then I passed Ralf too. The tyres worked perfectly. I’m happy for the team and for all the mechanics who stayed at home: the credit is also theirs".
The reaction of Michael Schumacher?
"He was happy, he complimented me".
Really happy? In the home Grand Prix, in front of his fans?
"Ferrari’s success is what counts".
The victory of a Brazilian against a German: will it be of some hope for the World Championship, since the two national teams could face each other in the final? If it meant anything, the Carioca would have little to fear. In Formula 1, three teams have a pair of Brazilian-German drivers: Ferrari, Sauber-Petronas and Williams-Bmw. We already talked about Scuderia Ferrari. At Sauber they asked Felipe Massa to let Nick Heidfeld pass. And Massa cordially responded negatively, and the point of sixth place was held. At Arrows, the same order came to Enrique Bernoldi, who after three calls gave way to Heinz-Harld Frentzen. Final result: Bernoldi tenth, Frentzen only thirteenth because after overtaking his teammate he spun. 3-0 for Brazil. Is Michael Schumacher really happy with his teammate’s win? Let’s take it as a charm. He’s certainly not enthusiastic, but he’s very sporty.
"I made a mistake. On lap 23 I got as close as I could to Rubens. I knew he was coming back into the pits and I was counting on overtaking him in the pit stop game, doing two quick laps. The turbulence from his car caused me to lose downforce and I spun. Attention, I’m not looking for excuses: I was aware of the risk, the fault is mine. Then I tried to push, but some of the voice-overs slowed me down".
Why didn’t Ferrari order Barrichello to step aside like Spielberg?
"Our position in the World Championship today is much assessed".
Is the title won?
"Do you think that I am already the World Champion? I would like to be able to say it, but unfortunately I am not. We are getting closer; step by step, but until we are sure of it, it is better not to think too much. It would be arrogant to consider oneself champions in advance".
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the FIA will process Scuderia Ferrari for the exchange on the podium at Spielberg, in the Austrian Grand Prix.
"We’ll see what happens on Wednesday".
David Coulthard, before leaving to join Simone, his beautiful Brazilian girlfriend, still applauds Juan Pablo Montoya. He had already done it on the track, just after the collision with the Colombian, but on both occasions it was a gesture of mockery. Actually, the Williams driver goes to find the Scotsman to apologise, but David, even if he accepts his explanations, keeps calm, still angry for the retirement.
"Montoya is immature, he lives race by race, he wants to win at all costs and doesn’t look a little further than his garden. If he hadn’t blocked me to not give up the fourth place, causing the accident, we would have gone both better and we would have even reached the finish line to collect some precious points. Instead we were both left with a handful of flies, making a good impression of novice fools".
The crash dynamic speaks for the McLaren driver:
"I’m really sorry for what happened. My car was very good and it was clear that it was faster than Williams. Juan Fabio was struggling in the corners, very slow, but he accelerated well in the straights. My only chance to get past him was to catch the slipstream of his car as we approached the Castrai Kurve, the first of the circuit. He made me move on the outside, we entered together. My plan was to flank him and pass him in the next corner. Unfortunately Montoya lost control of his car and gave me a great bang on the right front suspension. My race was over. And his too. It’s true, these are accidents that can happen, but no one has made any money".
The two teams strangely play on fair-play to try to extinguish the controversy in the mind of David Coulthard. Norbert Haug, owner of Mercedes says:
"These things happen. We understand David’s frustration because he was having a great race, but it was a problem for those who were racing. The important fact for us is that we have become the fastest among the teams that use Michelin tyres. And the third place of Kimi Raikkonen made up for the disappointment for the Scotsman".
Gerhard Berger, Head of Bmw, adds:
"We can’t blame the Colombian. The team had asked him to resist, not to give space to rivals. He was fighting with all his might to keep fourth place. He’s a correct driver and he certainly didn’t cause the bump on purpose. The car got lost because it wasn’t on the road".
In truth, if Juan Pablo Montoya, who had tyre problems, had gone back to the pits earlier to change them, he would have avoided the accident. He also pulled too much the brakes, and if his Williams boarded, it was because the manoeuvre was too close. Juan Pablo Montoya takes refuge in a corner, with his face darker than usual, without even having the comfort of his companion Connie at home.
"For the third time in a row I didn’t finish the race after taking pole position. At the start I immediately lost first place because Ralf overtook me at the hairpin bend. I didn’t try to defend the position to avoid the risk of hitting my teammate’s car. I realised after a few laps that I would have to struggle with the outfit of my car. Then it just became unworkable. I tried to control the skid, but it wasn’t possible, and I hit Coulthard’s McLaren. I apologised, the responsibility is mine, but I wasn’t incorrect, I think it is enough".
His teammate, Ralf Schumacher, meanwhile raises the white flag. Ferrari is too strong.
"On the one hand I am unhappy with the fourth place, on the other I have to confess one thing: we knew we would have a very hard life in the race against the cars of the Italian team. I managed to make a good start and overtook Montoya at the first corner. I succeeded because unlike Juan Pablo I had decided to start with new tyres, while he had chosen the ones already used. But, unfortunately I couldn’t stay in the lead for long".
Less than a lap. In the first lap there was already the demoniac Rubens Barrichello.
"Ferrari is simply too strong in the race. At the moment there is nothing for us to do. We have tyre problems, but it’s not Michelin’s fault. It’s our car that has to adapt better to tyres. We will have to work hard and I don’t know if we will get out of this situation quickly, even McLaren is putting us under pressure".
From Tuesday, June 25, 2002, in Monza and Mugello, all four Scuderia Ferrari drivers - the two owners, plus Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti - will be on track to test other aerodynamic, electronic and engine innovations, with an eye always turned to the developed compounds in full agreement and satisfaction with the technicians of Bridgestone. Jean Todt is annoyed by the fact that in the last three races the pole position has escaped his men, thanks to Juan Pablo Montoya and Williams-Bmw. That’s why he’s pushing his men to do their best. At Silverstone, Saturday, July 6, 2002, at the home of the British teams, he wants to prepare a surprise. The idea would be to put two Maranello cars in the front row, ahead of everyone. Just to make it clear that if the competition tries to grow (news are announced for Williams, McLaren, Renault, Jaguar and BAR), Ferrari isn’t satisfied. And nobody would be surprised if on the table of Rory Byrne, the South African designer of the Maranello team, the drawings of the 2003 car were already completed. In fact, it isn’t even said that some elements of the next single-seater, disguised, haven't already done some lap on the track. Meanwhile, Scuderia Ferrari goes to Paris, another obstacle to the fight for the World Championship. The appointment is with the World Council of the FIA: Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., the director of sports management, Jean Todt, and the two drivers, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will answer the facts that happened during the Austrian Grand Prix. It was Sunday, May 12, 2002: a few metres before the finish line, the Brazilian gave way to the German, who rewarded him by giving him the highest step of the podium. It is precisely this violation of the protocol that the FIA disputes. Article 151 of the Regulation punishes all fraudulent procedures or unfair manoeuvres which prejudice the interest in a competition or the sport of motor racing in general. Todt doesn’t want to hear about the defensive line.
"Why should we defend ourselves? Why did we come first and second?"
Perhaps because the FIA asks for clarification...
"Well, we will answer the questions. Anticipating the answers would be inappropriate".
What is at stake for Ferrari? The scale of sanctions includes reprimand, fine, time penalty, exclusion, suspension and disqualification. The last three appear exaggerated for a violation of the ceremonial, a penalty for only Michael Schumacher could give Rubens Barrichello the victory and the German champion the place of honour. And it wouldn’t bother Ferrari either.
"In Austria the ranking situation was different. We were in the sixth race of the season and Schumi was 27 points ahead while today’s 46. Here at the Nurburgring there was no need for team orders. The fact that we have to answer to the FIA didn’t affect us".