2001 Austrian Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

David Coulthard turned seventh on the grid into victory at the A1 Ring, beating both Ferraris through pace and a well-timed pit stop. Michael Schumacher finished second after Rubens Barrichello yielded the position on the final lap, keeping the championship contest firmly in focus.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Pole time	1:09.562
Fastest lap	David Coulthard	McLaren
Fastest-lap time	1:10.843 on lap 48
First	David Coulthard	McLaren
Second	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Third	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
11 May 2001	Practice 1	11:00
11 May 2001	Practice 2	13:00
12 May 2001	Practice 3	09:00
12 May 2001	Practice 4	10:15
12 May 2001	Qualifying	13:00
13 May 2001	Warm-up	09:30
13 May 2001	Race	14:00

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 6 leading the 2001 F1 World Championship on 36 points, with David Coulthard on 28. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 50 points.

Race entries

The driver line-ups stayed unchanged after the reshuffle in Spain. Teams continued refining the recently legalised electronic aids, and launch-control reliability would become one of the weekend’s defining issues.

Free Practice

Mika Häkkinen led the first practice despite suffering from flu, with David Coulthard completing a McLaren one-two. The dusty surface caught out several drivers, although they avoided major damage. Jean Alesi‘s engine failed on the main straight and a power-steering problem restricted Heinz-Harald Frentzen‘s running.

David Coulthard set Friday’s best time on his final lap, edging Häkkinen and displacing Rubens Barrichello from the top. Jenson Button‘s engine failed early, while both Arrows drivers had spins. The session strengthened McLaren‘s apparent challenge, although the Ferraris and Williams remained close enough to keep the picture open.

Friday Practice Classification — Combined

2001 Austrian Grand Prix opening-day practice, 11 May 2001

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	4	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:11.245	43
2	3	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+0.027s	42
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.156s	44
4	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.310s	45
5	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.402s	32
6	16	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+0.531s	44
7	11	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+0.732s	28
8	17	Kimi Räikkönen	Sauber	+0.944s	45
9	9	Olivier Panis	BAR	+1.014s	46
10	10	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.045s	49
11	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.054s	44
12	18	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.101s	43
13	12	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	+1.310s	45
14	14	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	+1.460s	40
15	19	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+1.602s	48
16	15	Enrique Bernoldi	Arrows	+1.608s	40
17	23	Luciano Burti	Prost	+1.924s	48
18	22	Jean Alesi	Prost	+2.043s	36
19	20	Tarso Marques	Minardi	+3.069s	36
20	21	Fernando Alonso	Minardi	+3.278s	34
21	7	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+3.588s	37
22	8	Jenson Button	Benetton	+4.325s	20

Michael Schumacher headed Saturday’s opening practice, with Juan Pablo Montoya second as Williams improved. David Coulthard went deep into the final-corner gravel, and Enrique Bernoldi locked up onto the grass. The warm, clear conditions gave teams a more settled opportunity to work on their qualifying balance than Friday’s dusty start had offered.

David Coulthard reclaimed the fastest time on his final lap, ahead of the two Ferraris. Jos Verstappen crashed after a rear-suspension failure, while Ralf Schumacher recovered from a spin. Juan Pablo Montoya had a more unusual interruption when a deer crossed the circuit, forcing him to slow during the final preparations.

Saturday Practice Classification — Combined

2001 Austrian Grand Prix Saturday practice, 12 May 2001

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	4	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:10.010	38
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.029s	39
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.093s	35
4	3	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+0.138s	43
5	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.381s	29
6	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.387s	27
7	11	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+0.424s	33
8	12	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	+0.741s	15
9	16	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+0.853s	26
10	10	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+0.925s	33
11	9	Olivier Panis	BAR	+1.341s	38
12	17	Kimi Räikkönen	Sauber	+1.372s	17
13	18	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.533s	29
14	14	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	+1.821s	27
15	19	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+1.984s	17
16	15	Enrique Bernoldi	Arrows	+2.019s	25
17	23	Luciano Burti	Prost	+2.704s	34
18	21	Fernando Alonso	Minardi	+3.323s	33
19	7	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+3.335s	35
20	20	Tarso Marques	Minardi	+3.358s	18
21	22	Jean Alesi	Prost	+3.475s	13
22	8	Jenson Button	Benetton	+3.959s	28

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

Qualifying

Michael Schumacher took pole with a 1:09.562, sharing the front row with Juan Pablo Montoya. Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello followed, while Jarno Trulli and Nick Heidfeld qualified ahead of both McLarens. Drivers waited more than twenty minutes before running, creating heavy traffic once the contest finally began.

David Coulthard struggled with balance and a headwind to qualify seventh, while Häkkinen’s final attempt was compromised by a water-pressure problem. Kimi Räikkönen and Olivier Panis completed the top ten. McLaren‘s disappointing grid positions contrasted sharply with its practice pace, leaving both drivers with ground to recover.

Qualifying Classification

2001 Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying, 12 May 2001

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:09.562	12
2	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:09.686	12
3	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:09.769	11
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:09.786	11
5	12	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	1:10.202	11
6	16	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	1:10.211	12
7	4	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:10.331	12
8	3	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	1:10.342	11
9	17	Kimi Räikkönen	Sauber	1:10.396	12
10	9	Olivier Panis	BAR	1:10.435	12
11	11	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	1:10.923	11
12	10	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:11.058	11
13	18	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	1:11.632	12
14	19	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	1:11.752	12
15	15	Enrique Bernoldi	Arrows	1:11.823	12
16	14	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	1:12.187	11
17	23	Luciano Burti	Prost	1:12.206	12
18	21	Fernando Alonso	Minardi	1:12.640	12
19	7	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	1:12.644	8
20	22	Jean Alesi	Prost	1:12.910	10
21	8	Jenson Button	Benetton	1:13.459	11
22	20	Tarso Marques	Minardi	1:13.585	5

Sunday warm-up

Häkkinen led another McLaren one-two in warm-up, but Michael Schumacher stopped with flames coming from the rear of his Ferrari. Jacques Villeneuve also had engine trouble and switched to the spare BAR for the race. Alongside setup checks, Williams and Jaguar used the session to rehearse their launch-control starts.

Warm-up Classification

2001 Austrian Grand Prix Warm-up, 13 May 2001

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	3	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	1:11.647	16
2	4	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.118s	16
3	11	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	+0.153s	17
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.684s	13
5	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.143s	14
6	12	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	+1.346s	18
7	17	Kimi Räikkönen	Sauber	+1.358s	12
8	10	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.365s	15
9	19	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+1.502s	16
10	16	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+1.554s	17
11	9	Olivier Panis	BAR	+1.574s	16
12	18	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.759s	17
13	15	Enrique Bernoldi	Arrows	+1.896s	11
14	14	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	+1.901s	15
15	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.902s	13
16	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.911s	13
17	22	Jean Alesi	Prost	+2.964s	17
18	21	Fernando Alonso	Minardi	+3.098s	11
19	20	Tarso Marques	Minardi	+3.618s	13
20	23	Luciano Burti	Prost	+3.840s	18
21	7	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	+4.015s	10
22	8	Jenson Button	Benetton	+4.045s	9

What happened in the 2001 Austrian Grand Prix?

Juan Pablo Montoya seized the lead as several cars, including Häkkinen and both Jordans, were left stationary by start-system problems. After the safety-car period, the Williams led a closely packed group until Michael Schumacher challenged at Turn 2. Both ran wide, allowing Rubens Barrichello to move ahead and changing the shape of the race.

David Coulthard stayed in contention and extended his opening stint beyond the Ferraris. Fast laps before his stop, followed by efficient pit work, put him ahead when he rejoined. He controlled the remaining distance to take his second win of the season, despite Rubens Barrichello staying close enough to maintain the pressure.

Ferrari instructed Rubens Barrichello to surrender second to Michael Schumacher, which he did just before the finish. Kimi Räikkönen took fourth, Olivier Panis fifth and Jos Verstappen the final point. Juan Pablo Montoya retired with hydraulic trouble, while Jarno Trulli was disqualified for leaving the pit lane against a red light. David Coulthard‘s win cut Schumacher’s championship lead to four points.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 42 points, followed by David Coulthard on 38. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 60, with McLaren on 42.

2001 Austrian Grand Prix race results

The 2001 Austrian Grand Prix was held on 13 May 2001, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	4	David Coulthard	McLaren	71	1:27:45.927	10
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	71	+2.190	6
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	71	+2.527	4
4	17	Kimi Räikkönen	Sauber	71	+41.593	3
5	9	Olivier Panis	BAR	71	+53.775	2
6	14	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	70	+1 Lap	1
7	18	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	70	+1 Lap	0
8	10	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	70	+1 Lap	0
9	16	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	69	+2 Laps	0
10	22	Jean Alesi	Prost	69	+2 Laps	0
11	23	Luciano Burti	Prost	69	+2 Laps	0
Ret	8	Jenson Button	Benetton	60	Engine/Spun off	0
Ret	19	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	48	Transmission	0
Ret	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	41	Hydraulics	0
Ret	21	Fernando Alonso	Minardi	38	Gearbox	0
Ret	20	Tarso Marques	Minardi	25	Gearbox	0
Ret	15	Enrique Bernoldi	Arrows	17	Hydraulics	0
Ret	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	10	Brakes	0
Ret	7	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	3	Engine	0
Ret	3	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	1	Transmission	0
Ret	11	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Jordan	0	Gearbox/Stalled	0
DSQ	12	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	14	Exited pits under red light	0

Jarno Trulli was disqualified from the Grand Prix for passing a red light at the exit of the pit lane.

2001 Austrian Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	4	David Coulthard	McLaren	48	1:10.843	219.832
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	68	1:11.009	219.318
3	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	69	1:11.030	219.253
4	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	40	1:11.140	218.914
5	17	Kimi Räikkönen	Sauber	70	1:11.284	218.472
6	16	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	69	1:11.388	218.154
7	10	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	70	1:11.718	217.150
8	18	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	69	1:12.088	216.035
9	9	Olivier Panis	BAR	39	1:12.204	215.688
10	14	Jos Verstappen	Arrows	36	1:12.423	215.036
11	23	Luciano Burti	Prost	69	1:12.642	214.388
12	22	Jean Alesi	Prost	41	1:13.130	212.957
13	8	Jenson Button	Benetton	38	1:13.498	211.891
14	15	Enrique Bernoldi	Arrows	15	1:13.587	211.635
15	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	7	1:13.888	210.773
16	19	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	35	1:13.978	210.516
17	12	Jarno Trulli	Jordan	12	1:14.082	210.221
18	21	Fernando Alonso	Minardi	36	1:14.432	209.232
19	20	Tarso Marques	Minardi	25	1:15.212	207.062
20	7	Giancarlo Fisichella	Benetton	2	1:58.438	131.491

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

2001 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2001 Austrian Grand Prix.

2001 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	42
2	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	38
3	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	18
4	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	12
5	Nick Heidfeld	German	Sauber	8
6	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Jordan	7
7	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	Williams	6
8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	German	Jordan	6
9	Olivier Panis	French	BAR	5
10	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BAR	4
11	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	Sauber	4
12	Mika Häkkinen	Finnish	McLaren	4
13	Jos Verstappen	Dutch	Arrows	1
14	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Benetton	1
–	Eddie Irvine	British	Jaguar	0
–	Jean Alesi	French	Prost	0
–	Luciano Burti	Brazilian	Jaguar / Prost	0
–	Tarso Marques	Brazilian	Minardi	0
–	Jenson Button	British	Benetton	0
–	Enrique Bernoldi	Brazilian	Arrows	0
–	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Minardi	0
–	Gastón Mazzacane	Argentine	Prost	0
–	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	Jaguar	0

2001 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	60
2	McLaren	42
3	Williams	18
4	Jordan	13
5	Sauber	12
6	BAR	9
7	Arrows	1
8	Benetton	1
–	Jaguar	0
–	Prost	0
–	Minardi	0

2001 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2001 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	4 March
2	2001 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	18 March
3	2001 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	1 April
4	2001 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	15 April
5	2001 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	29 April
6	2001 Austrian Grand Prix	A1-Ring, Spielberg	13 May
7	2001 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	27 May
8	2001 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	10 June
9	2001 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	24 June
10	2001 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	1 July
11	2001 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	15 July
12	2001 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	29 July
13	2001 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	19 August
14	2001 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	2 September
15	2001 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	16 September
16	2001 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	30 September
17	2001 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	14 October