Well deserved first point for Jos.
Published on 13 May 2001 by Verstappen Info Page
In the Austrian Grand Prix, which was won by David Coulthard in front of M. Schumacher and Barrichello, Jos earned his first world championship point by finishing in 6th position.
'Fantastic' according to Jos right after the race. 'By using a two stop strategy I was able to keep up with the head of the field. I had a great start which lead to a position in the top 10. Then I overtook a couple of drivers and positioned myself in the group with the front runners. The pitstop strategy worked fine, after Montoya retired I easily maintained my 6th position. Compliments for the team who gave me a good car and the two stop strategy worked well. This gives us a very good feeling.'
The start was remarkable, no less than 4 cars stalled on the grid (Frentzen, Trulli, Heidfeld and Hakkinen). Luckily no accidents happened but it did not take much more. Jos made use of the confusion and after lap one he was 7th. Due to the stalled cars on the grid the safety car was brought out for 3 laps. Right after that Jos overtook Irvine and was on 6th position. In lap 13 R. Schumacher retires and Jos became 5th. He was very close to Coulthard and helped by his pitstop strategy Jos was able to outbrake Coulthard and positioned himself on 4th, right behind Montoya, Schumacher and Barrichello.
Jos on fourth after outbraking Coulthard
M. Schumacher was faster than the Columbian but Montoya tried to maintain his position when they went through a corner. Montoya braked at the wrong moment which caused him and M. Schumacher to slide off track. Barrichello and Jos managed to pass them, P2 for Jos!
Jos could not enjoy this for long as he had to go in for his 1st pitstop in lap 23. The pitstop strategy seemed to work, Jos re-entered the track in 7th position with Irvine at 5 seconds behind him. He was in the perfect position to score points. Jos's speed was slightly higher than Irvine's which made it possible to drive away from him. In lap 43 Montoya had to retire. After the incident with Schumacher earlier in the race he managed to climb up to fifth again but hydraulical problems made and end to his race. Jos re-entered the points position again. In lap 45 all teams who went out on a one stop strategy go in and surprisingly enough so does Jos. This made him ready until the end, but Irvine and Villeneuve who were right behind him still had to go in for their pitstop. Two laps later they also went into the pits for their regular pitstop. For a moment it was exciting whether Jos could maintain his 6th position.
Finally that first point
He managed to do so and had the Irishman behind him on 3 seconds. The Jaguar driver could not keep up and Jos drove off. His 6th place would not be jeoparised and the first points were scored. The race was won by Coulthard, followed by Schumacher and Barrichello, who was second until just after the last corner. Then the Brasilian had to give his 2nd place to M. Schumacher because of teamorders.
For the end results of the Austrian GP, visit our season page .
