Barrichello Leads From Start to Finish, but Schumi

By Cian Duffy
May 12 2002

Pole-sitter Rubens Barrichello led the Austrian G.P. from start to finish, mounted the top step of the podium, accepted first place trophy, and sat in he middle at the drivers conference, yet Michael Schumacher officially won the race.

Harsh team orders by Ferrari, which were not to the liking of either driver, meant that Rubino had to pull over on the home straight on the last lap, to let Schumacher through. The usually seriously pro-Schumacher crowd at the A-1 ring then started booing Schumacher, and after some harsh looks from Schumi Jr. in the Parc Fermé, Schumacher made Barrichello take the top step, and accept the 1st place trophy and champagne. Ferrari team officials were nowhere to be seen on the platform to accept the constructor’s trophy.

No matter what consultation Schumacher has with Ferrari team personnel, and no matter how much Rubens is proclaimed victor, it will always remain on the record books as another win for Herr Schumacher, and another 2nd Place for Senor Barrichello.

In other incidents, both Jordan and Sauber had event filled days, as Sauber lost driver Heidfeld in a spectacular crash with Jordan’s Takuma Sato. A spin, which dragged Heidfeld across the track, some grass, and then more track, caused him to catch Takuma Sato’s sidepod, and caused both of them to leave the circuit in an amazing fashion. Both cars were completely destroyed, and Sato personally came out the worst. Sato had to be attended to by Professor Sid Watkins, the medical professional responsible for saving many drivers lives; and then had to be airlifted to Graz Hospital. A Jordan spokesperson said that Sato had not broken any bones, but refused to comment on whether he will be available t take the EJ-12B out at Monte Carlo in two weeks time.

In happier news for Jordan, they gained their first points of the season through miraculous work by Giancarlo Fisichella, who finished in fifth place. This condemns BAR-Prodrive to the bottom of the championship table, as the only tram left with 0 points. Considering the –B chassis which should be delivered shortly by Jordan engineers will be considerably better than the –A chassis, Jordan should be able to eke out a few extra points in the fight to keep the Honda engine for next season.

Oliver Panis suffered from a massive blowout of his Honda power unit during the race, causing the first of two safety-car sessions. A lock-up of the rear wheels, followed by a spin, and then a massive jet of flame, caused the BAR to stop on the main straight, and meant the safety car had to come out for a few laps. After the Heidfeld/Sato incident, the safety-car was brought out for another, longer session, which allowed Fisichella to close up on Choulthard for this fifth place