By Greig Murray
April 29 2002

The 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos ended with Ferrari taking a glorious win with the F2002. Michael Schumacher stunned the paddock with his pace on a 1 stop strategy, while luck once again deserted Rubens Barrichello, who retired from the race lead.

After a strong show in the morning warm-up Ferrari were confident that with the right strategy then they could overall the deficiencies in the Bridgestone tyres compared to the Michelin runners that surround our cars. Starting from second place and on the dirty side of the track Michael Schumacher will be hoping to make a better getaway than he has at previous races if he is to challenge for the race lead down into turn 1. From the fourth row and eighth place is Rubens Barrichello and he will need to be careful going into turn 1 where so many incidents happen. The Brazilian fans mainly dressed in red are hoping to cheer their man Rubens onto a great race.

And when the lights went out both Ferrari's were quick off the line and Schumacher was up on the inside of Montoya's Williams into turn 1 after dodging the Montoya swerve, into turn 1 and no incident as Montoya runs wide allowing the charging Schumacher to sweep past him and into the race lead coming out of turn 2, and then the incident we all expected happened as Montoya comes up behind Schumacher who defends his position with a change of line as allowed, and Montoya touches the back of the F2002 and takes off his front wing, revenge is served on Montoya! Rubens Barrichello is on a flyer as well as he passes a lot of cars and is soon up to third after pulling great moves on Coulthard in the McLaren and Button in the Renault, and up to second place from eighth is brilliant from Rubens as he easily outpowers the Williams of R Schumacher along the pit straight, Ferrari 1-2 and now the strategy games can begin! Lap 6 and Schumacher leads Barrichello by 4.3 seconds.

Barrichello continues to fly hinting that he is very light on fuel and he is catching Schumacher who will soon have to hand the Brazilian the race lead, but more happy news for Ferrari is that Michael Schumacher reports no damage to his car after the Montoya attack. The Michelin runners are seemingly not as strong as they hoped as they lap 2 seconds slower than the leading red cars at the front. Lap 14 and Rubens Barrichello is leading the race and the crowd are jumping for joy, it remains to be seen on what lap Rubens will have to pit for fuel. Barrichello however is enjoying himself as he set fastest lap after fastest lap, and then DISASTER for the luckless Rubens as his F2001 has a problem and he begins to tour round the circuit, not a good situation for Rubens and a blow to the Ferrari strategy. Schumacher is back in the lead chased by brother Ralf. 52 laps to go and Michael is pushing hard and survives a scary moment as he locks a wheel at turn 1 and just held it together, thanks to his supreme car control. R Schumacher is now catching and catching fast as the Michelin tyres begin to perform. Ferrari confirm that a hydraulic failure was the reason for Rubens untimely exit from the race.

As the laps enter the window for 2 stops the Ralf charge seems to have failed to materialise as Michael holds the lead by about 8 seconds by lap 29 of the race. But the gap is continuing to fall and now its down to 5 seconds as we wonder just how much fuel Michael has in his F2002. But as we approach halfway distance it looks as if Ferrari have opted for a 1 stop race and that the Bridgestones are much better than first feared. Schumacher appears to be gearing up for a pit-stop as he sets the fastest lap of the race so far with 36 laps remaining. Another fastest lap from the world champion as he begins to extend his lead over Ralf, things are looking good at this moment. Lap 37 and another fastest lap as the F2002 really stretches its legs, Lap 38 is the same another fastest lap. Lap 39 and Michael is in for his stop, what a surprise that he went a 1 stop and with a stop of 12.6 seconds he was back on his way after the mechanics made sure no debris was in the sidepods, what can the Williams of Ralf do now is the big question.

Race leader Ralf Schumacher is into the pits and its now up to the mechanics to decide the race lead, 9.4 seconds had the Williams back on its way, but it was no where near enough to stop Michael going back into the race lead and setting up a showdown between the brothers in the final laps of the race. The gap between the leading duo and third place is frightening and highlights the level of difference between Ferrari and Williams and the rest.

Rubens Barrichello was totally unhappy to have had to walk back to the pits once again in Brazil and he commented on his disappointment, "It's a bad beginning to the year, you could say it's the third race I have retired from the race lead. I'm happy with my driving and I'm going faster and better than ever before. I was in the old car and had to try something different I was on a 2 stop race overtaking people and having a good race, it's a shame I have to walk home again, I will just have to come back next year and try again." said Rubens.

20 laps remaining and the two Schumacher's continue to set the pace at the front, with the gap settling at around 2 seconds. Michael appears comfortable with the lead and looks under no pressure as he eases his way round the circuit. The gap continues to decrease and now Williams is really up with Michael but will younger brother Ralf take a risk and a stab at Michael as the Williams begins to look very menacing in Schumacher's mirrors. Both drivers are putting their limits to the test as the laps countdown, Schumacher locking a wheel into turn 1 and Ralf really pushing his Williams to the limit. 5 laps to go and it looks like Michael has enough left to keep the Williams behind as Ralf fails to get close enough to make any moves on the race leader.

And the remaining laps were reeled of by Michael as he brought home his F2002 to take the win on its debut. A stunning race from Schumacher and the F2002 who pulled out a brilliant opening stint when heavy on fuel and his early pace won him the race and a well deserved win as it was. Rubens Barrichello remains thinking about how unlucky he can be but once again he ends the weekend with 0 points, but overall a brilliant weekend for Ferrari and the F2002.

1. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1h31'43"663 200.098 Km/h
2. R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW + 0'00"588 200.077 Km/h
3. COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes + 0'59"109 197.972 Km/h
4. BUTTON Renault + 1'06"883 197.696 Km/h
5. MONTOYA Williams BMW + 1'07"564 197.671 Km/h
6. SALO Toyota 1 lap(s)
7. IRVINE Jaguar Cosworth 1 lap(s)
8. DE LA ROSA Jaguar Cosworth 1 lap(s)
9. SATO Jordan Honda 2 lap(s)
10. VILLENEUVE BAR Honda 3 lap(s)
11. WEBBER Minardi Asiatech 3 lap(s)
12. RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes 4 lap(s)
13. YOONG Minardi Asiatech 4 lap(s)
14. HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas 10 lap(s)
15. TRULLI Renault 11 lap(s)
16. MASSA Sauber Petronas 30 lap(s)
17. MCNISH Toyota 31 lap(s)
18. PANIS BAR Honda 46 lap(s)
19. FRENTZEN Arrows Cosworth 46 lap(s)
20. BERNOLDI Arrows Cosworth 52 lap(s)
21. BARRICHELLO Ferrari 55 lap(s)
22. FISICHELLA Jordan Honda 65 lap(s)