If Ferrari last year could have cancelled one result among those obtained at the end of an extraordinary season, it would most likely have cancelled the one at Imola. Michael Schumacher fourth and Rubens Barrichello sixth in qualifying, then the Brazilian third in the race to barely mitigate the disappointment and the German retired with tyre problems. A bad weekend in every sense of the word. David Coulthard with McLaren-Mercedes in pole position and Williams-Bmw's first win with Ralf Schumacher. The Maranello team's biggest mistake, as far as we are given to know and understand, was made in their tyres choice, which were too hard to keep up with their rivals. Now the San Marino Grand Prix is next. From Friday, April 12, 2002, all the drivers will be on track at the Imola circuit, with the fourth race of the World Championship in their sights. For the first time since the start of the championship, Ferrari will come with three new F2002s, the car that won on its debut in Brazil, surprising the competition with a masterful race by Michael Schumacher. Jean Todt's men work hard until Saturday, April 6, 2002, testing and retesting at both Fiorano and Mugello. There are many goals: to win the race, to keep Michael Schumacher at the top of the standings, to catch up in the constructors' standings on Williams-Bmw, and to get Rubens Barrichello back on the podium. But opponents have not stood still. Williams-Bmw wants to repeat its 2001 triumph and has a few technical innovations in store. McLaren-Mercedes, off the books until now, dominated testing in Valencia, giving a sign of recovery. A three-way battle, then, could be posed again, with many intriguing variables, from Rubens Barrichello's eagerness to regain everything he lost in the opening three races that never saw him make it to the finish line, to the internal battles between David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen and between Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher. The dominant motif, however, remains fixed on the duel between the World Champion and the Colombian. The British have already referred to Juan Pablo Montoya as the daredevil of Formula 1. Simply put, a leprechaun capable of spectacular feats, in every sense of the word. Juan Pablo Montoya, who is certainly a champion by class and temperament, has taken his rivalry with Michael Schumacher as a point of pride. Punished for the collision with the German's Ferrari in Malaysia, criticised for the collision he made with Michael Schumacher's car in Brazil, Juan Pablo Montoya does not give up. In fact, he insists and goes further.
"If I change anything in my behaviour during the race, it will be when I am wheel to wheel with Schumacher. I thought, after what happened in the first corner at Interlagos, that we would have a fair duel. But, given what he did to me, I don't think it is possible anymore. If Michael keeps on driving in the same way in the future, I will behave accordingly, in his way. I can only be fair to those who are fair to me".
A dangerous attitude, which is also likely to have negative effects on the Colombian's career. But Michael Schumacher does not think about it:
"I don't want to increase controversy. We try not to exasperate tempers. I hope there will be a good race at Imola. And, of course, I hope to make the Ferrari fans happy. It will be tough, because the track is very demanding and will require perfect tuning of the cars and the right tyre choice. It is clear that I am confident".
On Tuesday, April 9th, 2002 Jarno Trulli is in Paris. A big party on the Champs-Élysées with Flavio Briatore and a thousand guests from Renault, for the opening of an exhibition on Formula 1 that will last a couple of months. The Italian driver chats at length with his fans via the Internet. The usual questions. The most common one: when will you win a race? A Grand Prix, of course, because the Italian driver has had many successes in the past, including two world karting titles and the German Formula 3 championship. His road has been uphill since his debut in the motorsport circus, partly because he has never had a truly competitive car at his disposal - Minardi, Prost and Jordan. Since 1997, however, he has accumulated 52 points, always standing out.
This year with an official team, Renault, he is coming off three unlucky races: a spin in Australia when he was duelling with Michael Schumacher, engine problems in Malaysia and Brazil while he was always in the leading positions. The chance to make up for it in one fell swoop is Imola. Jarno Trulli's goal for the San Marino Grand Prix?
"I don't make predictions, but if I finish the race, surely in the points. And it could be even better. I am very confident. In the last tests in Valencia, our R202 was going very well. We manage to make continuous progress. We have a new front suspension that I really like".
How is the relationship with the Imola circuit?
"Very good, of course. Finally we are racing in Europe, at our home, with many fans. Imola will be red for Ferrari, however, there will be no shortage of my fans. Last year I was fifth in qualifying and in the race. Those were my first points on an Italian track…".
The start has become a lottery. Since the beginning of the season, there have always been accidents at the start...
"Hopefully, it's over. The Imola track offers a wide S before the Villeneuve corner and especially the Tosa hairpin is quite far from the start. However, it is normal that there are problems when the red lights go out. There is tension and the cars are very close together. Then someone wants to take too much advantage of the moment to gain positions. We are well placed: the automatic start system of Renault is one of the best".
There are Williams and Ferrari to watch out for. Three starts and three collisions, one between Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, two between Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. Who was right?
"I don't want to take anyone’s side. These were racing incidents. In Brazil maybe Montoya did not calculate that he was very close to the German".
In any case, the Colombian emerges as the only true anti-Schumacher.
"Dualisms are part of the game. If they are not there, they are created. It can also be a psychological war to upset the opponent. I, personally, forget about it right away".
Trulli, however, has collided three times in the past two years with Jenson Button, his current teammate.
"It's true. But it was accidental. There is no friction between us. I get along well with him. He is a pleasant guy with whom I work well. It is clear that he races in the same car and becomes a reference point. Being ahead of the teammate is one of the most important results for a driver".
Trulli does not want to make predictions for himself, but what about the Ferrari-Williams battle?
"The Anglo-German team is really going strong this year. And it has the advantage of having Michelin tyres which, in my opinion, make the difference on certain tracks. However, it must be recognized that Ferrari, with Schumacher, has very high potential. It will be a good race, very uncertain. And I hope to see it up close, very close".
Ralf Schumacher, defeated in Brazil, openly challenges his older brother and promises a battle on the track in the first European race:
"Michael is my main opponent for winning the title. I have to beat him, I am not the good brother, I attack. I don't want to give him anything, on the contrary. We at Williams can win the World Championship and we will do everything to hit the target. My brother has already brought home four, it's time to change our tune".
In 2001, at the Imola circuit, Ralf Schumacher won his first race in Formula 1. Michael Schumacher calmly reiterates:
"It is true, Williams is favoured at Imola, but we are confident and we will have the support of the fans, which will be an added motivation".
On Thursday, April 11th, 2002 Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya shake hands, before the traditional press conference. But if they had been two weeks in the open air, at the North Pole, perhaps the shake would have been warmer. There is nothing to be done: between Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya the only possible point of contact is rivalry. One against the other, perhaps with different attitudes, but firmly entrenched in their positions. Situation summarised by the German driver:
"He wants to beat me, that's his big goal, I have the same intention towards him".
The battle between the World Champion and the Williams driver is the dominant motif of the San Marino Grand Prix, which gets underway on Friday, April 12, 2002, with practice threatened by rain. Which, by the way, would be a small advantage for Ferrari, the only team that has been testing at the Imola circuit.
"Last year we were disadvantaged by a wrong tyre choice. This time we should be okay".
Malignants immediately insinuate that the victory in Brazil would have been facilitated by his brother Ralf's renunciatory tactics. Michael, however, again reiterates that it would not have been possible to overtake him in the Interlagos race.
"Williams is fast but can't do miracles".
Ralf Schumacher stated that he will never be the good brother, that is, stupid... But Michael Schumacher expresses a message of peace:
"I hope it ends the same way in Imola, me in first place and him in second".
Having Juan Pablo Montoya by his side, however, under the fire of questions, Michael Schumacher cannot avoid an indirect spat with the Colombian. After two accidents at the start will there be a third?
"I don't think so, I think we will both run to finish the race".
Some people are convinced that Juan Pablo can make it to Maranello…
"It seems strange to me. I have no intention of retiring. However, ask Jean Todt".
The French manager, a few hours earlier, had hissed:
"I refuse to comment on these kinds of indiscretions".
Is Juan Pablo Montoya, however, a driver that could race for Ferrari?
"Sure, why not? He is fast. There are so many of them in Formula 1. He is doing a good job for his team".
The accident in Brazil however...
"I don't feel the need to respond. Yes, I saw the footage: he was behind, he rear-ended Michael and broke the wing of his car. That's all".
Called into question, Juan Pablo Montoya pulls straight ahead:
"I'm not changing my approach to racing. When one is in this business, not all things can be as one would like. If Schumacher keeps his point of view, I keep mine. For me it was unfair. I would move to the back and he would close the door on me. For me he did not respect the regulations".
Don't you fear a third act, with yet another accident?
"Well, you never know what can happen during a race. What has to happen happens. I honestly worry very little. We didn't win the World Championship in Brazil and we won’t win it in Imola. I aim to finish first every time. I try to do that. It's clear that I want the title".
And you don't think about Ferrari, as someone wrote?
"Maybe for the future, but I don't know. For the moment I'm very comfortable where I am. It is better to take things one at a time, year by year. Anyway: as far as I know we haven't talked to anyone about this possibility".
Between the two litigants, the third wheel, Ralf Schumacher, defends himself against attacks.
"Montoya is a driver who tries to take advantage of every little opportunity. If he sees an opening, he jumps in. I used to do that in the beginning, too. Now I try to reflect while pushing hard on the accelerator".
One fact, however, is certain: the Colombian has largely beaten his teammate by popularity. The yardstick? For every Ralf Schumacher's cap, five Juan Pablo Montoya's are sold. Not only that: in nearby Brisighella, the Colombian receives the Bandini award as driver of the year. On Friday, April 12, 2002, Scuderia Ferrari keeps a low profile, even though its drivers set the two best times in free practice for the San Marino Grand Prix, on the track wet by insidious and interminable thunderstorms that are flooding a bit all over Italy. Friday, as is well known, has a relative value, plus we do not know what Jupiter Pluvio will have in store for us, in qualifying and - above all - in the race. The start, however, is promising. And it does not make the opponents sleep, in crisis, starting with Williams-Bmw, when you have to tightrope walkers on the slippery track. It is not Juan Pablo Montoya's fault nor Ralf Schumacher's. It depends on the quality of the tyres and the characteristics of the cars, as well as the sensitivity of those behind the wheel who have to dare the accelerator in the appropriate way.
"We are sad".
They declare, for once perfectly agreed with Juan Pablo and Ralf Schumacher, looking at the sky swollen with clouds. And behind this phrase they hid the real disappointment, because the problem for them, and for others, is not so much that they are in trouble on a wet track. The truth is that in variable environmental conditions almost no one has had a chance to prepare the single-seaters well, to find the right set-ups, especially in case the weather situation (the forecast is uncertain, but it seems to be leaning toward good) was not adverse during the race. Ferrari, in theory, starts with a double advantage, the first for having tested on its own at Imola - while the other teams were in Spain - at the beginning of March, already with the new F2002 driven by Luca Badoer who had tested the tyres for this circuit and started fine-tuning the set-up. The second because if it really does rain on Saturday afternoon, the Bridgestone tyres will make a difference, since the Michelin ones (fitted on Williams and McLaren) are still not as competitive as they have proven to be on a few occasions in the dry. Michael Schumacher is quiet. Although on Friday, after setting the fastest lap (1'36"898, at an average of 183.273 km/h), the German runs into a series of spins that cause him to end up, with his engine off, on the grass, just past the Variante Alta. A genuine waltz on the track, without damage, after hitting a kerb, overtaking - among others - a very slow Arrows. Immediately afterwards, getting out of the car, Michael has a squabble with a track marshal. The driver wants to stay close to the car, to prevent anyone from prying eyes on it or to take the opportunity to pick up a souvenir. The steward says it was the race direction that asked the driver to move away down the track. Michael replies annoyed:
"I'm afraid to go that way, they might even run me over".
But he is forced to walk, until he finds an opening to squeeze in behind the guards. It is 13 minutes to the end of practice and no one can overtake Michael Schumacher. Only Rubens Barrichello manages to get closer and bring himself to just 0.196 seconds. Third is the very talented Giancarlo Fisichella at the wheel of a Jordan. Modestly, the Italian driver justifies himself by saying:
"It's because of the rain".
A rain that betrays Jarno Trulli, who ended up against the barriers at the beginning of the straight, where he ruined the front wing and the right suspension of his Renault. But the Italian driver is very happy with the car and hopes to give a nice gift to Flavio Briatore, who is celebrating his birthday at the San Domenico restaurant with his friend Mario Cipollini. On Saturday, the Lion King will be on the track. But only as a spectator; the sprints will be done by the drivers.
They will try to fight not only Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher but also David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen, who, taking advantage of a moment of leniency in the weather and intermediate tyres, slip into fourth and fifth place. McLaren has a new aerodynamic package. Juan Pablo Montoya continues to have one fixed thought: to be the anti-Schumacher anyway. And, at the end of practice, he returns to the subject:
"You forget what he did to Damon Hill [accident in Adelaide in 1994, ndr], what he was able to combine to Villeneuve [collision in Jerez in 1997, ndr] and even to Coulthard in Belgium in 1998".
On that occasion, at Spa, Michael rear-ended the Scotsman with a one lap advantage because his rival, who was waiting for him in the rain with zero visibility, inexplicably slowed down as he exited a corner. The Colombian attacks:
"Some people say that races are not won on the first lap, I am not convinced of that. If the opportunity arises, I will overtake whoever is possibly in front of me, with no regard".
Meanwhile, manufacturers involved in Formula 1 hold a meeting to consider short and long term strategies. Fiat, with Paolo Cantarella, then Mercedes, Renault, Ford and Bmw, which have formed a company ready to organise its own championship starting in 2008, GPWC Holdings B. V. - Grand Prix World Championship - which is headquartered in Amsterdam, are evaluating the situation after the collapse of the company owned by the Kirch Group, which holds 75% of the television rights of Formula 1. The purpose of the company is precisely to prepare to organise its own championship when the Concorde Agreement, signed between the Federation and the teams participating in the World Championship, comes to an end in 2007. The companies have always made it known that they would not be interested in buying a share in the company and are maintaining their position. But now they could lead to a different solution: obtaining the majority of the package, paying for it with the share of rights that would be due in this case, about 100.000.000 euros per year, for five years. Once in control of Formula 1, the manufacturers could manage it directly by redistributing its profits. At the end of the meeting, which was also attended by Luca Montezemolo, Burkhard Goeschel (Bmw), Jurgen Hubbert (Daimler-Chrysler), Wolfgang Reitzle (Ford) and Patrick Faure (Renault), engineer Paolo Cantarella said:
"We’ll continue with our project. The aim is to ensure that the manufacturers, who, essentially, make racing possible with their commitment, are adequately involved. We want to offer advantageous conditions of participation to all teams, especially from the economic point of view, as well as the stability and quality of the championship and full free-to-air TV coverage of the races".
The GPWC has established contacts with 23 circuits and organisers to plan its championship and has consulted a number of experts to finalise proposals and contracts on television rights. Contractual and economic details will be presented to the teams over the summer. It has also been reported that the new company has been approached by the banks representing Kirch (after the economic problems that swept the German TV magnate's group). The Executive board of Manufacturers will consider any proposal submitted by the banks themselves, as long as they are in line with GPWC's goals. Essentially, it is a matter of finding a viable solution possibly even before the set deadlines. With one certainty: the car companies do not intend to pay millions of euros to take possession of a championship that takes place only thanks to their participation. Luca Montezemolo explains:
"At the moment, the teams share only 43% of the television revenues of Formula 1. This is an unacceptable situation; we want to enlarge our share and have the certainty of free, unencrypted and not pay-per-view broadcasts. In this regard, we are also evaluating the intentions of Ecclestone, who still owns 25% of Slec, the company that sold the rights to Kirch".
The Ferrari president then returns to talk about his drivers and denies recent rumours of a possible departure of Rubens Barrichello:
"We have the best pair of drivers, and I'm not just saying that because of today's results. I was sorry to see that after a couple of races some media insinuated that Ferrari wants to abandon Rubens. We can reiterate that he is the best teammate Schumacher has ever had".
Meanwhile, Mercedes unveils an incredible motorhome, somewhere between a luxury nightclub and a space centre. Estimated cost: 10.000.000 euros. The image is worth it, but perhaps we should also think about the cars of David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen, so far lacklustre. Also because on Saturday, April 13, 2002, the hill of Passion, that of Rivazza, where if you wish you can also catch a glimpse of the finish line, on which fans for many years have suffered the pains of hell, seeing either Williams or McLarens whizz by faster almost all the time, this time turns into a paradise. Seeing the two Ferraris challenge each other, lap after lap, as if rivals were cut out of the fight, is an extraordinary sensation, something to tell grandchildren about. A series of lightning-quick red strokes on the Imola circuit, in an exciting crescendo, in which in the end the usually merciless Michael Schumacher manages to precede a very generous Rubens Barrichello. But the German does not clearly beat the Brazilian, he overtakes him only by a few thousandths of a second, 64 to be precise, an intangible gap. Thus, in the San Marino Grand Prix, the fourth act of the Formula 1 World Championship, the front row will be all red. In twenty-three races held here in Emilia Romagna, the land of engines, it had never happened, not even in the days of the legendary Gilles Villeneuve and turbocharged cars. The track record, 1'21"091, at an average speed of 218.998 km/h, pole position number 45 in his career, the second of the season, the fact of becoming - with today's race - the driver who has driven the most for Ferrari in its entire history (97 races against Gerhard Berger's 96), the presence of Rubens Barrichello at his side, do not, however, guarantee victory to the German or his teammate: they are the best viaticum, they make everyone hope and dream. Behind, however, there are Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. The risks of the start, sixty-two laps to go at a furious pace, the unknowns of weather and strategies offer no certainty. And that is the beauty of it: it is not enough to be the fastest to get on the top step of the podium. Even if this F2002, which already made its debut in Brazil, seems to have wings (metaphorically speaking, because, in reality, it really has the aerodynamics of a jet) while remaining well glued to the asphalt. Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who is also making his debut in the pits this year, says:
"I'm very excited as well. I think we have the best package, team, car and drivers. Schumacher gave the fans a show, Barrichello was outstanding. I don't see, in this regard, any great phenomena around. There are fast, brave guys, however, it seems to me that so far they lack consistency. It makes me smile to talk about a duel between Michael and Montoya, who is also very strong. Our champion has won four titles and fifty-five races. When the other has done half as much as the German has won, we will talk again. Rather, let us think about the race. It will not be easy, as always, we will have to suffer. Pole position is nice, victory tastes better. They say that since I returned to Ferrari in 1991, we have accumulated 999 points. Let's hope it won't jinx us. Better not to think about it, we have all the cards to do well, very well actually".
Since Ferrari had surprised everyone at Interlagos with an unexpected race strategy, overnight Williams engineers devised a tactic to seek revenge. But it will not be easy to catch the Maranello team unprepared.
Barring unthinkable reversals, it will still be a challenge of two (teams) or four (drivers). McLaren, in the third row with Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard, behind Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, is really struggling. Even in the downhill it was not among the fastest cars. By now it has the role of third wheel. Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, as mentioned, monopolise the eve of the San Marino Grand Prix. They are separated by 0.064 seconds:
"Time to wink".
Exemplifies the Brazilian driver. The German pats him on the shoulder:
"You made an outstanding time".
Then, separately, he clarifies:
"In the end I was able to be quicker, but it was an intense challenge".
The competition is far away, in fact, not there at all. The Ferrari challenge continues in the pits: Barrichello sits quietly in the cockpit, his eyes fixed on the time monitor, while his teammate toils with the mechanics in search of a better setup.
"I decided to make some changes to the set up".
Says the World Champion, who must try everything to regain the lead. In the finale the two Maranello’s cars return to the track: Barrichello finds the asphalt dirty and returns to the pits without completing the lap, his teammate manages to snatch pole position from him.
"I'm used to fighting. Starting alongside Barrichello is an advantage for both of us. We know each other too well to bother one another".
The weather forecast promises clouds and possible rain showers.
"I prefer water, but I can also defend myself in the dry. I am surprised by the gap to the other teams. McLaren has little chance, unless they perform a miracle in the night. Ferrari has the best car-tyre package: Bridgestone brought a new type of tyre here to Imola that has been greatly improved, as Heidfeld's seventh place in the Sauber also shows. I am optimistic, however, do not ask me for predictions".
Hard to make predictions, since the Grand Prix, this season, for many drivers has been decided at the first corner. From the second row, does Montoya represent a danger?
"For me, the start is a normal part of a race. Having Montoya behind, in front or alongside changes little, because it is not only him I have to pay attention to".
So many compliments to Rubens Barrichello: from President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, from Jean Todt, from the team. A curiosity that the mischievous do not let slip: the Brazilian competed in qualifying with the reserve car prepared for his teammate.
"The engine in the morning did not convince me and there was no time to replace it".
The mechanics replaced the pedals (Michael Schumacher drives with both feet, Rubens Barrichello uses only his right), and the Ferrari number 2 immediately went fast.
"The president's presence is good for me. I am happy with myself and the new car. This is the first time I am racing the F2002. The gap to Michael is more psychological than anything else, and I want to finally score points. The problems at the start? We don't want to have any more contact with the Williams".
Jarno Trulli also did well. Behind the three top teams, which are still unreachable, and the excellent Nick Heidfeld, the Italian driver led Renault to eighth place.
"And I would have done even better if on my fastest lap I hadn't found Panis spinning. Who knows, maybe I would have passed Coulthard's McLaren. Anyway, I have a good car, that's the important thing".
Very fast in Friday's free practice, the other Italian, Giancarlo Fisichella, ran into a not-so-good day:
"I was hoping to do better, especially in front of the Imola crowd. The truth is that we are at the limit of our performance. In three or four races Honda will provide us with a more powerful engine, but for now I can only hope to finish the race".
On Sunday, April 14th, 2002, at the start of the San Marino Grand Prix on the Toyota of Allan McNish the transmission breaks down and the Scottish driver is forced to retire. Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher retains first place, while Rubens Barrichello loses the position in favour of Ralf Schumacher. Juan Pablo Montoya retains fourth place, ahead of the two McLarens of Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard, the two Renaults of Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button, and Nick Heidfeld. From the very first laps Michael Schumacher is unapproachable for his rivals. The German driver gains an average of almost a second per lap over his brother Ralf Schumacher. With the exception of Takuma Sato's retirement - due to a gearbox failure on lap 5 - and Enrique Bernoldi's overtaking of Mika Salo to take 14th place, there is no exchange of positions until the first series of pit stops, opened by Nick Heidfeld on lap 16. The German driver had anticipated the first pit stop in an attempt to pass both Renault drivers Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button, but the move is thwarted by a fuel system failure, forcing him to repeat the operation a lap later. As if that were not enough, in doing so Nick Heidfeld exceeds the speed limit in the pit lane, receiving a penalty that permanently jeopardises his race. In the top positions there are no further changes until lap 30, when Kimi Räikkönen makes his first pit stop. On lap 31 the Schumacher brothers also stop to refuel, while Rubens Barrichello pits on lap 32, re-entering the track ahead of Ralf Schumacher. The top four positions remain unchanged until the end of the race, with Michael Schumacher winning the San Marino Grand Prix, preceding his teammate, Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya at the finish line. Behind the Colombian there is Jenson Button, in fifth place. The British driver, after overtaking his teammate Jarno Trulli (slowed by a gearbox trouble), also managed to pass David Coulthard during the second series of pit stops. The Scottish driver, lapped by Michael Schumacher, crossed the finish line in sixth position with the only McLaren-Mercedes car to arrive at the end of the race, while his teammate was called back to the pits as a precaution on lap 44, as an exhaust failure could have also broken the rear suspension. First and second on Friday in practice on the wet track, same result on Saturday in qualifying, in the warm-up during the morning and then in the race.
This has not happened in years, but Scuderia Ferrari succeeded. Total, absolute domination. The 1-2 finish in the San Marino Grand Prix matured in the distance and came true, even though there were the usual fears before the start. The threat of rain (a few drops fell when the cars were already lined up on the track), the start with the looming presence of the two Williams in the second row and Juan Pablo Montoya capable of hunger of all colours, the risk of pit stops, and the more than 305 kilometres to be covered without problems. Instead, Jean Todt was even able to avoid gnawing his nails on the pit wall. Michael Schumacher got off to a great start, took the lead and no one saw him again, except the lapped drivers, until he triumphantly crossed the finish line. The only hiccups involved Rubens Barrichello, but he made up for it in a big way with an extraordinary race. When the red lights went out and the group of cars rampaged down the circuit, the Brazilian, who was on the least clean part of the track, was overtaken by Ralf Schumacher, glued behind his brother. Rubens Barrichello resisted Juan Pablo Montoya's attempts and held at least third position. Probably Ferrari's strategy was to have the two cars in the lead. Rubens Barrichello should have allowed Michael Schumacher to gain a good lead, keeping his rivals at bay. Thus, the German driver was forced to do it alone, lowering his time with each lap. The São Paulo driver tried to attack Ralf Schumacher, but failed. The problem was remedied by technical director Ross Brawn, who, via radio, gave Rubens Barrichello all the necessary indications to play the overtake at the first stop. Which punctually happened. Rubinho, in second place, stepped on the accelerator, built up a good margin over the German of the Williams-Bmw and could afford to recover even a small hiccup that occurred in his second stop, when the left rear tyre nut got stuck inside the pneumatic gun used to change the tyres. Just a moment of panic, then the operation was completed losing 3 or 4 seconds. When he returned to the track, however, the Brazilian was ahead of Ralf Schumacher and went wild, even setting the fastest lap in the race for the fourth time in his career. The others stood by and watched. Ralf Schumacher soon realised that he would have no choice but to settle for third place.
Juan Pablo Montoya, struggling with a Williams-Bmw that did not perform as he would have liked, had an anonymous race by his standards and ambitions. The rediscovered Jenson Button took his third place finish of the season. Sixth, David Coulthard sadly accepted a terrible response. McLaren-Mercedes is no longer competitive. For the first time in the history of recent years, the car of Ron Dennis' team was lapped by Ferrari, without having a real technical problem. An embarrassment. And Kimi Raikkonen, who was having at least a more determined run than David Coulthard, retired on lap 44, called back to the pits by the team. A lambda probe that controls the engine's exhaust had broken. The failure had caused the air to overheat and there was a danger that it would burn some area of the rear of the McLaren. So much so that as soon as it returned to the pits, the car had a fire start and the mechanics had to intervene to put it out. Although now designated as Ferrari's main opponent, Williams is no better off either. On a psychological level, Ralf Schumacher suffered a blow from Michael Schumacher. He was hoping to make up for the defeat in Brazil, but instead he found himself fighting and losing to Rubens Barrichello. Now in the team that mounts Bmw engines, doubts arise. Always bet on the German, or bet on Juan Pablo Montoya as the anti-Schumacher? Knowing Frank Williams, perhaps, the question will not arise. Not least because the German company for now is still interested in staying ahead of McLaren-Mercedes and moving up to second place in the team value ranking. From Tuesday, April 16th, 2002, everyone will be on the track again, scattered around Europe. And Ferrari still wants to improve. Test driver Luciano Burti will be at Monza for three days with the old F2001 for tyre development and from Wednesday Luca Badoer will be at Mugello with the F2002, replaced by Michael Schumacher on Friday and Saturday. Intense testing, ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, where last year Michael Schumacher won by edging out Juan Pablo Montoya by more than forty seconds. The Maranello team, however, is not too trusting and does not want to lower its focus. Michael Schumacher says:
"A glass of champagne, two days of relaxation with the family and then it's back on. I'm having a lot of fun, but I know very well that our opponents will not let us go for a walk. I expect a strong reaction, because this time we hit hard. I also have to thank Rubens, who was outstanding all weekend. And in the race he took valuable points away from those chasing us".
Michael Schumacher is proud to have won his home Grand Prix and to have entered Ferrari history as the driver who has run the most races. Rubens Barrichello is happy to have broken the losing streak and finally scored points with a good race. All Italy, that cheers for Ferrari, is celebrating a 1-2 that had been missing at Imola since 1982, the season of Didier Pironi and Gilles Villeneve. The German driver's start was linear, clean, with no changes of trajectory. Far from Juan Pablo Montoya.
"I stayed on the left. No one could fit on the outside, but still, it's never easy".
The F2002 also seems improved at the start, perhaps due to the speed of the new gearbox.
"It's the best car I've ever had. I say that every year and in fact they prove me right. We used it at the right time, without rushing, after accumulating enough experience in testing. So we were able to ensure its reliability right away".
From the outside it looked easy, but - according to the World Champion - when you get into the cockpit you have to go all out, all the time.
"Otherwise you don't build up an advantage and make mistakes. Only on the last lap did I slow down. However, I did not expect such superiority. The gap in qualifying was small and usually in the race the values level off. Instead, the car and the new Bridgestones gave us a good margin".
When the Ferrari number 1 lapped David Coulthard's McLaren, it became clear that an era had ended: we’re back to the duopoly, however, this time the opponent is Williams. Michael Schumacher has good words towards the old rivals:
"I was lapped in 1996, too. Then I won in Barcelona, Spa and Monza. I don't think they will give up. I've been racing in Formula 1 for a long time, long enough not to trust certain balances. Values change quickly. The circuits in Brazil and Imola were considered unsuitable for Ferrari, yet we will have to work a lot ahead of the next three races that are theoretically favourable to us".
The German shares credit with the team and one person in particular: chief designer Rory Byrne, who stood with him on the podium as a representative of the winning team.
"A unique person, both professionally and humanly. A gentleman. Without taking anything away from the others, he is the most important, a fantastic team man".
Before the start, they did the rain dance in Ferrari, but after a couple of laps they crossed their fingers and hoped that the water would not come to spoil such a pleasantly relaxing weekend. And so it did: the downpour hit a few minutes after the chequered flag.
"I was certain of our superiority in the wet. When I saw that things were working well anyway, I hoped that the situation would not change. We started with a variable strategy: we had planned two stops and were ready to twist it if the weather conditions changed. In the end, we redeemed the disappointment given in 2001 to the Italian fans".
Finally Rubens Barrichello smiles again, protagonist of a weekend of glory.
"A rematch for the Imola crowd".
Says the Brazilian.
"The car is amazing, it has great balance".
A little mystery before the start: Rubens and Michael swapped the cars used in qualifying. At Ferrari they nip the case in the bud:
"The cars are equal, however it happens that a driver prefers one. The proof that we did not penalise Rubens is in the result: the fastest lap was his".
The case leaves Rubens Barrichello completely indifferent:
"It was a technical decision of the team, it doesn't change anything for me. In the race I had only two delicate moments: in the first part of the race, when I was forced to follow Ralf, and at the second pit stop, when there was a problem in the assembly of the left rear tyre".
The Brazilian then recalls an exchange of courtesies with Eddie Irvine.
"He wouldn't let me pass despite them waving the blue flag at him, I don't know what was on his mind. When I finally got past him, I told him to go to hell".
The TV image does not make it absolutely clear whether Barrichello greeted his rival with just his middle finger or with his index and little finger together. The Brazilian bid farewell with good intentions for his season. He said his championship would start here at Imola with the new F2002. He has kept his promise.
"I always wake up in the morning with the idea of winning: that's my way of positive thinking. I came second, but I'm happy anyway because it was a triumph for Ferrari".
At some point he had decided to leave. For a few months he had been away on a beach in Thailand, with his partner Or (with whom he is now married and has started a family, a little girl and a little boy, still young, all in Maranello). Sun and diving, to rejuvenate. It was 1996, Rory Francis Byrne already knew that the holiday would not last long, that Ferrari was waiting for him. Fifty-eight years old, born in Pretoria, South Africa, a chemical expert specialising in plastics processing, then a mathematics graduate, this shy man who is seen very little on the track is the designer of the F2002.
With his team of aerodynamicists he spends thousands of hours in the wind tunnel, making calculations, designing suspensions. They say he sometimes gets up at 3:00 a.m. with an idea in mind and immediately starts drawing, so as not to miss the illumination of the moment. Rory has a huge experience. Among other things, as a hobby, he has also built some model aeroplanes and has been a world champion in one of the specialties of these flying jewels. His passion for cars, however, had gripped him as a young man, when in 1969, at the age of 25, he had founded a company to manufacture material and prepare racing cars, including engines. In 1973 he moved to England to assist a friend who entered in the Formula 3 championship. And, since then, he has not stopped. He designed Formula Ford, Super Vee, and Formula 2 cars when he was hired by the up-and-coming Toleman. He remained with this team until 1996, even when it was bought by Benetton, with a brief stint at Reynard. With Benetton and under the technical direction of Ross Brawn he won Michael Schumacher's first two World Championships. The German, as mentioned, described him as one of the main architects of the successes of these years. And Jean Todt wanted Byrne himself to stand on the podium to receive the cup intended for the representative of the winning manufacturer. With it, Rory tried to defend himself from the champagne splashes exploded by Michael and Rubens.
"I'm soaked, I smell like an animal, but I'm happy. The F2002? It is a Ferrari, the result of the work of the whole team. I am only one of them, with its own responsibilities like those of others in their field. I must admit, however, that the car turned out well. We knew it was better than the F2001, but we needed real counterevidence. It seems to me that it also fits Barrichello's driving style very well. But it's only in its infancy, we still have intense development to carry on, many things to try".
Will we see him on the track again in the upcoming races?
"In Monza, in September, I am a tunnel rat".
The words of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, president of the Ferrari of records, complete the triumph of Imola: more cannot be said, more could not be done.
"An extraordinary victory, an incredible day, an unbeatable car. We are back in the lead in the Constructors' World Championship standings and we intend to stay there".
Then he holds back:
"Tonight we are celebrating, from Monday we will go back to work, because Barcelona is a challenging circuit and our competitors are very strong".
Superstitious according to tradition, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo at Imola follows the usual ritual: on Saturday he goes to greet the team at the circuit, on Sunday he follows the race on television at home in Bologna. Faced with triumph, the Ferrari president could not resist the temptation to return. He got out of the helicopter with his wife Ludovica and little Gaia.
"She is 11 months old and this is her big debut in the world of Formula 1".
The thanks are for everyone: the fans (once praised their patience and support in the difficult years, now no need to do it), the drivers, the team, the tyre suppliers.
"Michael had an outstanding race. As of today, he is the driver who has raced the most with Ferrari, in addition to holding the record of successes. Rubens was extraordinary, as in Brazil, where unfortunately he had to retire. I appreciate the gesture of Jean Todt, who is very good at managing the team, who put our chief designer Rory Byrne on the podium. Again, this year Byrne has made an extraordinary car that is a great step forward. It is satisfying to have such a strong car".
High praise for Bridgestone:
"I congratulate them. They have clearly won the challenge with Michelin here".
Toasts, hugs, pats on the back, and the president departs as the men of the Maranello team begin to disassemble and load equipment onto trucks.
"Well done, well done everyone".
Jean Todt repeats. The reasons for success? The head of Scuderia Ferrari's Sports Management starts the list:
"The car worked well in all its components, the tyres helped us, the drivers did their job perfectly, the team did a great job".
When did you realise you were superior?
"On Friday with the wet asphalt we saw that the Bridgestones worked better. One question mark remained, the behaviour of the tyres in the dry. We got the answer on Saturday in qualifying, which resulted in an all red front row. In the race we confirmed the lead. It was a fantastic 1-2".
Strength of Ferrari or weakness of the competitors?
"Barrichello was behind Ralf Schumacher until lap 31. Then, with a pit stop delayed by one lap, he passed him. Our package worked better; I didn't expect that, because in the private testing that we did here at Imola a few weeks ago we didn't have the final tyres yet. Opponents? Michael is the strongest active driver. We counted his wins and those of all the other 21 drivers combined: he wins 56 to 36. Villeneuve is the only active World Champion; Michael has won four titles".
After that, Jean Todt returns to his proverbial wise prudence:
"After the victory in Australia people said the old F2001 was unbeatable, then in Malaysia we lost. The truth is that from one race to the next everything changes. Let's enjoy this triumph, however, let's avoid emotionalism because sooner or later, after a defeat, you will come and ask me: how do you plan to recover? Having said that, I remember that last year we won nine Grand Prix, and in 2000 we reached ten. Now we are at three after four races: a very good start".
The last words are on the future of Rubens Barrichello, whom some people were giving as a starter at the end of the season: does the Imola race rehabilitate him?
"We do not judge a driver on the basis of a good or bad result".
For a few months, the topic is closed. Jenson Button is Flavio Briatore's consolation. For the third time since the start of the championship, the British driver - who, last year, after a promising debut in 2000, was already considered a failed breakout star - led Renault to claim the race in the top six. Fourth in Malaysia and Brazil, the British driver finished fifth and gave a nice birthday present to the French team's Italian manager, who was pleased not only with the continuity of results but also with having rediscovered a driver who had already seemed lost.
"Jenson is like all young people with little experience. When the car is difficult to drive, they go haywire. And our car last year was a disaster. The current one is much better, and he performs at his level, which is very good".
Even better than Jarno Trulli...
"In truth, Jarno had some problems. From lap 15 on his car there were overheating problems on the gearbox and engine. He was very good at limiting himself and finishing the race, the first of the season, in ninth place and it was a success for him. You will see that he will give us more satisfaction. People applauded Massa who overtook him at the end with a great overtake. But they didn't know that Trulli was going at half his potential, which was seen only after the start, when he also gained a position against Heidfeld".
Briatore has a lot of confidence in the team and the work they are doing with Renault.
"We have a continuous development program. Every race we will bring something new. In the middle of the season you will see the real Renault. For example here we had a new front wing, in Barcelona we will debut a full aerodynamic package. We work hard and the results will show. The goal is to climb to the top little by little. This time we were also ahead of McLaren. I am happy for Ron Dennis: now he will have some extra motivation to get busy".
A corrosive joke for the patron of the disappointing Anglo-German team. Then a few words about Ferrari:
"For us at the moment it is absolutely unbeatable. They have prepared an amazing car. It's unbeatable, in these conditions, even for Williams".
Also Gerhard Berger, head of Bmw, congratulates the Maranello team:
"They are very strong. But we are quiet, second position among the teams is our target for this year. Besides, the season is still long".
Everyone looks at the impressive structure erected in the paddock. The one that looks like something between a disco and a Nasa control centre. It costs about 10.000.000 euros. It takes five trucks to transport it around the world and five days to assemble it, including the two terraces with trees and flowers at the top. Everyone looks at it and smiles.
The thought goes to the McLaren situation, which for now is a shadow of its former self. In four races nine points, four brought by Kimi Raikkonen and five by David Coulthard. The Finn retired with a technical problem, the Scotsman finished sixth, sensationally lapped by Michael Schumacher on lap 55 of 62 total. David Coulthard admits at the end of the race:
"I had no grip. Throughout the race the car kept sliding to one side and the other. We had reduced the aero pressure to get a little more top speed, but obviously that was a mistake. I tried to bring home the best possible result".
The Scotsman does not add more, but you can see from his face the enormous disappointment, in the year when he was thinking of replacing Mika Hakkinen as the anti-Schumacher. Someone in the Anglo-German team no longer hides regret over the Finn's retirement from racing. It is believed that Kimi Raikkonen, although a fast driver, does not have the experience to develop the car, among other things with the novelty of fitting Michelin tyres. And David Coulthard has never been considered a test man, capable of giving good information to the engineers to develop the car. So much so that after having Jean Alesi do an improvised test at Le Castellet a few weeks before the San Marino Grand Prix, now the French driver has been recalled for a series of tests to be held at Mugello. Under indictment also the designer Adrian Newey, who until last year was considered a wizard, and the Mercedes engine. Newey, who was retained at McLaren almost by force after he signed a contract for Jaguar, seems to have lost his way. Or at any rate, he has blatantly missed it this year. The MP4/17 also lacks speed because of the German company's powerplant made by Ilmor in England. The mishaps had begun last year with the loss of reliability, when the engineers were forced to remove from the V10 some elements made from beryl, a material that has been banned by the FIA because of its dangerousness. Now the structure has been changed, the angle of the cylinder banks has been enlarged (from 72° to 90°), and the engine itself demands a long break-in and testing period. However, there seem to be combustion problems: so it consumes a lot and has less power than the competition. Ron Dennis admits:
"We just have to work hard, we have the means to turn ourselves around relatively quickly".
That is, unless you decide to employ them in another paddock mansion.