2000 Malaysian Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Michael Schumacher finished his championship-winning season with victory at Sepang International Circuit. David Coulthard pushed him to the flag, but third place for Rubens Barrichello helped Ferrari secure the constructors’ title as well.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Pole time	1:37.397
Fastest lap	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren
Fastest-lap time	1:38.543 on lap 34
First	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Second	David Coulthard	McLaren
Third	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
20 October 2000	Practice 1	11:00
20 October 2000	Practice 2	13:00
21 October 2000	Practice 3	09:00
21 October 2000	Practice 4	10:15
21 October 2000	Qualifying	13:00
22 October 2000	Warm-up	10:30
22 October 2000	Race	15:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Michael Schumacher arrived at round 17 leading the 2000 F1 World Championship on 98 points, with Mika Häkkinen on 86. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 156 points.

Race entries

The unchanged field included Johnny Herbert for his final Formula 1 race. Several other drivers were preparing to leave their teams, with Alexander Wurz contesting his last Grand Prix for Benetton and Mika Salo completing his season with Sauber.

Free Practice

Michael Schumacher led opening practice in hot, dry conditions. David Coulthard lost much of the session to a clutch problem, while several teams struggled with radio reception around the circuit. Drivers also ventured onto the grass as they established their braking points and checked the cars in the heat.

Häkkinen narrowly beat Schumacher’s earlier benchmark in the afternoon. Rubens Barrichello continued despite developing flu symptoms, and David Coulthard recovered to third overall. David Coulthard and Mika Salo both had excursions, a reminder of the cost of overstepping the limit at Sepang‘s wide corner entries.

Friday Practice Classification — Combined

2000 Malaysian Grand Prix opening-day practice, 20 October 2000

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	1:40.262	36
2	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.014s	28
3	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.236s	27
4	4	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.615s	34
5	6	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	+1.042s	31
6	9	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.231s	35
7	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	+1.235s	39
8	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+1.331s	35
9	12	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	+1.417s	30
10	5	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+1.489s	28
11	19	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	+1.652s	28
12	10	Jenson Button	Williams	+1.750s	36
13	8	Johnny Herbert	Jaguar	+1.851s	28
14	7	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.879s	31
15	18	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	+1.992s	31
16	16	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	+2.195s	31
17	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.387s	17
18	14	Jean Alesi	Prost	+2.606s	33
19	17	Mika Salo	Sauber	+3.022s	34
20	21	Gaston Mazzacane	Minardi	+3.162s	29
21	20	Marc Gene	Minardi	+3.393s	33
22	15	Nick Heidfeld	Prost	+3.524s	23

Alexander Wurz surprised the leading teams by heading Saturday’s first practice, just three thousandths ahead of Häkkinen. Heinz-Harald Frentzen could not set a time after an engine-sensor failure stopped his installation lap. The improving surface and falling lap times offered Benetton encouragement before qualifying.

David Coulthard moved to the top in final practice despite a trip through the gravel. Jenson Button returned after an engine change prompted by a hydraulic problem. Giancarlo Fisichella, Gaston Mazzacane and Heinz-Harald Frentzen all spun and stalled, losing valuable late preparation in a closely matched field.

Saturday Practice Classification — Combined

2000 Malaysian Grand Prix Saturday practice, 21 October 2000

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:38.109	29
2	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.094s	30
3	12	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	+0.209s	32
4	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+0.239s	26
5	4	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.846s	28
6	8	Johnny Herbert	Jaguar	+0.998s	27
7	7	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.001s	24
8	10	Jenson Button	Williams	+1.121s	12
9	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.228s	34
10	6	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	+1.273s	31
11	9	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.321s	29
12	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	+1.331s	32
13	15	Nick Heidfeld	Prost	+1.685s	32
14	18	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	+1.689s	31
15	19	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	+1.703s	32
16	17	Mika Salo	Sauber	+1.730s	29
17	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+1.740s	20
18	16	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	+1.807s	30
19	14	Jean Alesi	Prost	+1.879s	27
20	5	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+2.442s	10
21	20	Marc Gene	Minardi	+3.697s	21
22	21	Gaston Mazzacane	Minardi	+4.261s	21

Each practice table combines that day’s two sessions, showing each driver’s best time and total laps.

Qualifying

Michael Schumacher claimed his ninth pole of the season with a 1:37.397, improving late after an earlier run was spoiled by a flat-spotted tyre. Häkkinen joined him on the front row. David Coulthard qualified third despite a refuelling fire during the session, with Rubens Barrichello fourth.

Alexander Wurz continued his strong weekend with fifth, his best qualifying result of the season. Jacques Villeneuve secured sixth despite losing power on his final run. Johnny Herbert qualified twelfth for his farewell, while Jenson Button could manage only sixteenth after traffic disrupted his attempts.

Qualifying Classification

2000 Malaysian Grand Prix Qualifying, 21 October 2000

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:37.397	8
2	1	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	1:37.860	11
3	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:37.889	11
4	4	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:37.896	11
5	12	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	1:38.644	12
6	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:38.653	11
7	7	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	1:38.696	12
8	9	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:38.739	12
9	6	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	1:38.909	11
10	5	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	1:38.988	11
11	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	1:39.158	11
12	8	Johnny Herbert	Jaguar	1:39.331	12
13	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	1:39.387	12
14	18	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	1:39.443	12
15	19	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	1:39.489	9
16	10	Jenson Button	Williams	1:39.563	10
17	17	Mika Salo	Sauber	1:39.591	12
18	14	Jean Alesi	Prost	1:40.065	11
19	15	Nick Heidfeld	Prost	1:40.148	11
20	16	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	1:40.521	11
21	20	Marc Gené	Minardi	1:40.662	12
22	21	Gastón Mazzacane	Minardi	1:42.078	12

Sunday warm-up

Ricardo Zonta led warm-up ahead of Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher. Teams checked race bodywork and cooling arrangements in the warm conditions, producing slower laps than qualifying. Managing cockpit and engine temperatures would be especially important over the full race distance.

Warm-up Classification

2000 Malaysian Grand Prix Warm-up, 22 October 2000

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	1:40.032	13
2	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+0.048s	12
3	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.214s	12
4	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.361s	12
5	12	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	+0.884s	15
6	4	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.129s	8
7	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.277s	14
8	8	Johnny Herbert	Jaguar	+1.300s	12
9	7	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.495s	11
10	17	Mika Salo	Sauber	+1.527s	14
11	16	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	+1.723s	14
12	10	Jenson Button	Williams	+1.759s	11
13	6	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	+1.856s	14
14	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+1.924s	13
15	18	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	+2.072s	11
16	20	Marc Gene	Minardi	+2.073s	12
17	19	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	+2.123s	13
18	14	Jean Alesi	Prost	+2.145s	14
19	5	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+2.250s	13
20	9	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+2.340s	13
21	15	Nick Heidfeld	Prost	+2.699s	7
22	21	Gaston Mazzacane	Minardi	+3.589s	11

What happened in the 2000 Malaysian Grand Prix?

Häkkinen jumped the start and initially led, but a stop-go penalty removed him from the immediate victory fight. David Coulthard took over at the front after an early safety-car period caused by opening-lap collisions. He built a lead until an excursion deposited grass in a radiator and forced an earlier pit stop to address overheating.

Schumacher used the longer opening stint to move ahead and retained the advantage through the final stops. David Coulthard stayed close, but could not find a way past. Johnny Herbert‘s final Grand Prix ended with a heavy accident following a rear-end mechanical failure; he escaped serious injury.

Schumacher won by less than a second, with David Coulthard second and Rubens Barrichello third. Häkkinen recovered to fourth ahead of Jacques Villeneuve and Eddie Irvine. Ferrari secured the constructors’ championship, completing a title double as Schumacher ended the season with nine victories and 108 points.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 108 points, followed by Mika Häkkinen on 89. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 170, with McLaren on 152.

2000 Malaysian Grand Prix race results

The 2000 Malaysian Grand Prix was held on 22 October 2000, with a scheduled start of 15:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	56	1:35:54.235	10
2	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	56	+0.732	6
3	4	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	56	+18.444	4
4	1	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	56	+35.269	3
5	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	56	+1:10.692	2
6	7	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	56	+1:12.568	1
7	12	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	56	+1:29.314	0
8	17	Mika Salo	Sauber	55	+1 Lap	0
9	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	55	+1 Lap	0
10	19	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	55	+1 Lap	0
11	14	Jean Alesi	Prost	55	+1 Lap	0
12	6	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	55	+1 Lap	0
13	21	Gastón Mazzacane	Minardi	50	Engine	0
Ret	8	Johnny Herbert	Jaguar	48	Suspension/Accident	0
Ret	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	46	Engine	0
Ret	9	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	43	Hydraulics	0
Ret	20	Marc Gené	Minardi	36	Wheel	0
Ret	10	Jenson Button	Williams	18	Engine	0
Ret	5	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	7	Electrical	0
Ret	18	Pedro de la Rosa	Arrows	0	Collision	0
Ret	15	Nick Heidfeld	Prost	0	Collision	0
Ret	16	Pedro Diniz	Sauber	0	Collision	0

2000 Malaysian Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	1	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	34	1:38.543	202.498
2	3	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	21	1:39.064	201.433
3	4	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	23	1:39.302	200.950
4	2	David Coulthard	McLaren	36	1:39.529	200.492
5	22	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	20	1:40.160	199.229
6	7	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	18	1:40.292	198.967
7	12	Alexander Wurz	Benetton	19	1:40.312	198.927
8	23	Ricardo Zonta	BAR	21	1:40.498	198.559
9	8	Johnny Herbert	Jaguar	27	1:40.764	198.035
10	17	Mika Salo	Sauber	14	1:40.896	197.775
11	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	53	1:40.925	197.719
12	19	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	27	1:41.104	197.369
13	6	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	33	1:41.262	197.061
14	14	Jean Alesi	Prost	34	1:41.634	196.339
15	9	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	42	1:41.729	196.156
16	20	Marc Gene	Minardi	27	1:41.928	195.773
17	10	Jenson Button	Williams	17	1:42.226	195.202
18	21	Gaston Mazzacane	Minardi	24	1:43.147	193.459
19	5	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	3	1:44.557	190.850

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2000 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2000 Malaysian Grand Prix.

2000 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	108
2	Mika Häkkinen	Finnish	McLaren	89
3	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	73
4	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	62
5	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	24
6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Benetton	18
7	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BAR	17
8	Jenson Button	British	Williams	12
9	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	German	Jordan	11
10	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Jordan	6
11	Mika Salo	Finnish	Sauber	6
12	Jos Verstappen	Dutch	Arrows	5
13	Eddie Irvine	British	Jaguar	4
14	Ricardo Zonta	Brazilian	BAR	3
15	Alexander Wurz	Austrian	Benetton	2
16	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	Arrows	2
–	Johnny Herbert	British	Jaguar	0
–	Pedro Diniz	Brazilian	Sauber	0
–	Marc Gené	Spanish	Minardi	0
–	Nick Heidfeld	German	Prost	0
–	Gastón Mazzacane	Argentine	Minardi	0
–	Jean Alesi	French	Prost	0
–	Luciano Burti	Brazilian	Jaguar	0

2000 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	170
2	McLaren	152
3	Williams	36
4	Benetton	20
5	BAR	20
6	Jordan	17
7	Arrows	7
8	Sauber	6
9	Jaguar	4
10	Minardi	0
11	Prost	0

2000 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2000 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	12 March
2	2000 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	26 March
3	2000 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	9 April
4	2000 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	23 April
5	2000 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	7 May
6	2000 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	21 May
7	2000 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	4 June
8	2000 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	18 June
9	2000 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	2 July
10	2000 Austrian Grand Prix	A1-Ring, Spielberg	16 July
11	2000 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	30 July
12	2000 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	13 August
13	2000 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	27 August
14	2000 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	10 September
15	2000 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	24 September
16	2000 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	8 October
17	2000 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	22 October