Imola
14th April 2002
Sadly though that never looked very likely. From the beginning of Friday practice Michael Schumacher left us in no doubt as to which Schumacher was going to win this race. Topping almost every practice session going he looked unstopable. Qualifying looked like it was going to show an upset with Michael being overshadowed by his teammate Barrichello. Michael had gone out and been unable to improve his time. But then with the session all but over Michael decided to turn in a lap. And a good one. He managed to beat Rubens by 0.067 of a second. Rubens was justifiably slightly pissed off. Ralf managed third, and Montoya was fourth.
The race looked interesting for about the first ten seconds in which Ralf nosed his way past Barrichello. However Michael decided that the race would be far more easily won as a procession and skipped off into the distance. At the first pit stop Barrichello got past Ralf and that was it really. Michael, Rubens, Ralf, Montoya, Jenson Button and David Coulthard.
DC's sixth place was about the only thing of interest about this Ferrari parade really. Mr Championship Contender must be rueing the day he ever said those words, and also the day McLaren employed Kimi Raikkonen as his teammate. Kimi was quicker again here too, outqualifying Coulthard and then being much faster in the race, until some kind of unknown engine glitch forced him into premature retirement.
There were some reasonably impressive performances though. Felipe Massa is showing every sign of `doing a Raikkonen` and having a fantastic season at Sauber. The rumour linking him to Barrichello's drive at Ferrari just won't go away. An excellent move for about eighth place must have caught Jean Todts eye. Jenson Button also looks to be doing well in the Renault finishing in the points again, the fact that Jarno Trulli has yet to score doesn't do him too much harm either.
All in all rather a dull occasion, Michael Schumacher is now 14 points ahead of Ralf who is three ahead of Montoya. Just to put this into perspective, at the same time last year Michael Schumacher and his nearest rival, were level on points. And this year wasn't supposed to be a one horse race.
Someone should try telling that to Ferrari.
HOW THEY RATED AT IMOLA
Michael Schumacher - 9/10 - Another masterclass in how to lead from the front.
Rubens Barrichello - 7/10 - OK, some reckon this was fantastic, but his teammate finished SEVENTEEN seconds ahead in the same car. Qualifying was good though.
Ralf Schumacher - 8/10 - A good qualifying and a solid drive in a car that clearly isn't with Ferrari yet.
Juan Pablo Montoya - 5/10 - Much slower than Ralf all weekend.
David Coulthard - 4/10 - What's happening at McLaren. DC didn't even attempt to blame this on a problem. Maybe the cars just really bad?
Felipe Massa - 8/10 - He only finished eighth but that overtaking manouvere was great.
Jenson Button - 8/10 - showing the kind of consistancy that will get him noticed.
BACK TO RACES
BACK HOME