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Four different drivers led
a topsy-turvy opening grand prix of the season. David Coulthard eventually
triumphed for McLaren – and Michelin drivers monopolised the podium for
the first time in the modern era.
Michelin driver David Coulthard (West McLaren Mercedes-Michelin) got his
Formula One season off to a flying start in Melbourne. Although the Scot
lined up only 11th, after running wide during his qualifying lap, he
profited from canny race craft and others’ misfortunes to score his first
win since last year’s Monaco GP.
Having opted for wet tyres on a drying track, the Scot pitted for dries on
the second lap. Although that dropped him to the tail of the field, he
didn’t lose too much time because the field soon bunched up behind the
Safety Car, which was deployed twice during the first 17 laps to allow
accident debris and stranded cars to be cleared.
Coulthard’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen appeared to be on course for a
memorable maiden victory, after starting on dry tyres from the pit lane,
but the Finn was later penalised for speeding through the pits after
making a scheduled refuelling stop on lap 33. That handed the advantage to
world champion Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari, until he pitted on lap 46 to
have some damaged bodywork removed from his car. That, in turn, put early
pace-setter Juan Pablo Montoya (BMW WilliamsF1 Team/Michelin) in control.
Starting on dries, the Colombian twice had a comfortable lead wiped out by
the Safety Car periods, but just as fate appeared to have restored his
advantage he spun at Turn Two and Coulthard swept into a lead he was never
to lose. Montoya recovered to finish second from Räikkönen and Schumacher
to give Michelin its first 1-2-3 finish since it returned to grand prix
racing two years ago.
Coulthard said: “It was touch and go whether to start on wets or dries –
and it looks as though dries was the right call. The Safety Car helped us
a bit today and after that it was a case of not making mistakes and
keeping the car on the island.”
Michelin drivers occupied six of the top eight positions. Jarno Trulli
(Renault) finished fifth, his team-mate Fernando Alonso was seventh – and
scored his first F1 points – and Ralf Schumacher (BMW WilliamsF1 Team)
came in eighth after a torrid race. The German spun shortly after leaving
the pits and at one point was almost hit by the spinning Sauber of Nick
Heidfeld.
Jaguar rookie Antonio Pizzonia spun off shortly before the finish, while
running 12th, and the remaining Michelin drivers retired. Toyota’s new
signing Olivier Panis ran as high as fifth before being penalised for
crossing the pit exit blend line and a technical problem forced him to
withdraw shortly afterwards. Local favourite Mark Webber (Jaguar) was
running a strong sixth when a rear suspension problem caused him to park
on lap 16. Cristiano Matta (Toyota) spun off on lap eight.
Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director , commented on the days
events.
Pierre Dupasquier said: “Today’s result was partly affected by the weather
and partly by the Safety Car periods, so it is hard to draw any firm
conclusions, but it is clear that our tyres were fast, consistent and very
durable.
“Four of the five tyre compounds we brought with us this weekend were used
in the race and it was very satisfying to see that all five teams on
Michelin tyres all proved to be competitive.
“We took a look at the conditions and advised our partners that dry tyres
were the best option, although the final decision is always up to them. We
knew that wets would last only a few laps, perhaps five at the most, and
there was no rain forecast in the short term. I think the early laps
proved that our instincts were correct… even though David Coulthard won
after starting on wets! It just shows you can never be sure in this sport.
He changed on lap two and all our other cars started on dries – including
Kimi, who switched at the end of the warm-up lap. The dries proved to be
ideal for the conditions.
"Our performances at the end of 2002 and today prove that our current
range of tyres is effective – but the quest for improved performance never
ends. We will not be sitting on our laurels.” |
