Michael Schumacher wins eventfull raceJos finished 10th

Published on 02 September 2001 by Verstappen Info Page

Alonso's crash in this mornings' warmup appeared to be a foretaste of what would happen to Luciano Burtin in the afternoon. The last few years something happened in Eau Rouge during a Grand Prix weekend, but not this year. Today the big bang was at Stavelot when Alsonso crashed. Well that's what we thought. In the fourth lap of the race Eddie Irvine and Luciano Burti drove side by side at 150mph into Blanchimont. The Jaguar and the Prost touched and Burti went straight ahead over the gravel pit and crashed very hard into the tyre wall. The race was stopped and when the Prost was finally pulled from underneath the tyres the worst was feared, but Burti was still alive. He was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Liege and the race had to restart for the third time.

Burti's wrecked Prost is transported to the paddock
The first start was aborted when Frentzen frantically waved his arms to signal that he stalled his engine. At the restart he had to exchange his fabulous fourth position for one at the back of the grid. The next start was a bad one for Montoya, he stalled his engine during the formation lap. The restart after the code red was not a particular good one either; Ralf Schumacher's car was still jacked up while all the others passed him for their third formation lap. So in the end Michael started from pole afterall.


Especially both Benettons had a very good start. Giancarlo Fisichella launched himself forwards to a second position behind Michael Schumacher. He kept this position during nearly all of the race until David Coulthard managed to overtake Fisichella in Les Combes. Fisichella drove all of the race on the same set of front tyres and changed his rear tyres only once. His second pitstop was only for a splash and dash. Michelin has had a lot of benefit from Toyota's test at this circuit two weeks ago.


Jos had a few good starts. After the first lap he crossed the finish line in 16th position. "On the straights the other drivers just whizzed past me. I cannot drive any faster than full throttle, we really lack in the power department." He had a good restart as well and was 12th after one lap. In a race where only 13 out of 22 saw the checkered flag, Jos finished in 10th position. "I drove constant lap times and the race was fun, especially my fight with Olivier Panis and I am glad Burti is still alive. I would like to thank the fans who came here to support me."

Michael Schumacher had his 52nd victory in Formula 1 and broke Alain Prost's record. Until his second stop he pushed the limits, afterwards he eased off according to himself. For a possible stop for rain tyres without handing over the lead he had plenty of time. David Coulthard finished second and Fisichella third. Jean Alesi won 1 point for Jordan, after a beautiful fight with Ralf Schumacher, in his second race for that team.