2002 Japanese Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Michael Schumacher ended his extraordinary season with an eleventh victory, leading Rubens Barrichello home at Suzuka. Kimi Räikkönen finished third, while Takuma Sato delighted the home crowd by scoring his first Formula 1 points in fifth.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Pole time	1:31.317
Fastest lap	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:36.125 on lap 15
First	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Second	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
Third	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
11 October 2002	Practice 1	11:00
11 October 2002	Practice 2	13:00
12 October 2002	Practice 3	09:00
12 October 2002	Practice 4	10:15
12 October 2002	Qualifying	13:00
13 October 2002	Warm-up	10:00
13 October 2002	Race	14:30

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 2002 F1 World Championship on 134 points, with Rubens Barrichello on 71. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 205 points.

Race entries

Felipe Massa returned to Sauber after Heinz-Harald Frentzen’s Indianapolis appearance. Toyota entered Mika Salo and Allan McNish for their final races with the team, but Allan McNish’s heavy qualifying crash would rule him out of the start. Arrows remained absent.

Free Practice

Michael Schumacher led the first Friday session, which was interrupted by Jacques Villeneuve’s heavy crash at Spoon. The BAR struck the barriers and scattered debris, although Jacques Villeneuve escaped injury. Olivier Panis slowed to check on his team-mate and stalled further along the circuit.

Kimi Räikkönen led a McLaren one-two in the afternoon. Juan Pablo Montoya crashed heavily at Degner but escaped serious injury, while hydraulic trouble limited Michael Schumacher to four laps. Alex Yoong also suffered hydraulic problems and a small fire, and Takuma Sato recovered from a spin into the gravel.

Friday Practice Classification — Combined

2002 Japanese Grand Prix opening-day practice, 11 October 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:34.232	33
2	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.498s	29
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.170s	34
4	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.510s	38
5	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.763s	44
6	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.877s	19
7	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.958s	25
8	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+2.258s	37
9	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+2.297s	37
10	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+2.512s	37
11	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	+2.661s	43
12	15	Jenson Button	Renault	+2.782s	37
13	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	+2.964s	45
14	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	+3.152s	43
15	8	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+3.260s	31
16	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+3.549s	39
17	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	+3.695s	23
18	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	+3.765s	33
19	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+3.906s	11
20	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	+4.910s	30

Michael Schumacher restored Ferrari’s advantage in the first Saturday session. Takuma Sato’s engine failed after the chequered flag, with flames coming from the Jordan as he approached 130R. Allan McNish also lost most of the running to an engine failure, leaving both teams with repairs before the next session.

Michael Schumacher’s earlier lap remained the morning benchmark as Ralf Schumacher improved to second. Olivier Panis stopped near the crossover with a suspected gearbox problem. Mark Webber’s Minardi also halted late in the session after a gearbox input-shaft failure, interrupting his final qualifying preparations.

Saturday Practice Classification — Combined

2002 Japanese Grand Prix Saturday practice, 12 October 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:32.978	21
2	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.255s	22
3	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.312s	22
4	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.547s	20
5	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.658s	22
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.710s	18
7	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+1.566s	20
8	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	+1.679s	22
9	15	Jenson Button	Renault	+1.745s	21
10	8	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+1.765s	17
11	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+1.901s	19
12	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+1.955s	20
13	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.129s	22
14	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+2.352s	20
15	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	+2.560s	18
16	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+2.589s	18
17	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	+3.287s	21
18	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	+3.607s	19
19	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	+3.662s	19
20	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	+4.994s	25

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

Qualifying

Michael Schumacher took his fiftieth career pole, with Rubens Barrichello completing the front row. David Coulthard and Kimi Räikkönen qualified third and fourth, while Takuma Sato achieved his best grid position of the season in seventh ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella.

Allan McNish’s accident at 130R caused a lengthy stoppage as his Toyota broke through the barriers. He climbed out but suffered bruising and concussion, and the damaged barriers required extensive repairs. His withdrawal left 19 starters for the season finale.

Qualifying Classification

2002 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying, 12 October 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:31.317	9
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:31.749	12
3	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:32.088	12
4	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:32.197	10
5	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:32.444	10
6	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:32.507	10
7	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	1:33.090	12
8	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	1:33.276	12
9	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:33.349	11
10	15	Jenson Button	Renault	1:33.429	12
11	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:33.547	8
12	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	1:33.553	12
13	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	1:33.742	11
14	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	1:33.915	8
15	8	Felipe Massa	Sauber	1:33.979	11
16	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	1:34.192	10
17	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	1:34.227	12
18	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	1:35.191	5
19	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	1:35.958	11
20	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	1:36.267	12

Sunday warm-up

Michael Schumacher led Rubens Barrichello in the warm-up. Giancarlo Fisichella spun into the gravel and abandoned his Jordan, while Ralf Schumacher recovered from a spin at Degner that forced Juan Pablo Montoya to take avoiding action. Allan McNish was subsequently ruled out of the race on medical advice following his qualifying accident.

Warm-up Classification

2002 Japanese Grand Prix Warm-up, 13 October 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:36.249	15
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.401s	11
3	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.403s	10
4	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.681s	11
5	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.918s	11
6	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.032s	7
7	8	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+1.284s	10
8	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+1.352s	7
9	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	+1.363s	13
10	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.379s	13
11	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+1.436s	11
12	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	+1.460s	13
13	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	+1.485s	10
14	15	Jenson Button	Renault	+1.526s	11
15	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.977s	8
16	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+2.035s	9
17	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	+2.095s	9
18	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+2.109s	9
19	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	+2.959s	12
20	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	+4.883s	7

What happened in the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix?

Michael Schumacher led from pole and Ferrari soon pulled clear. Ralf Schumacher passed Kimi Räikkönen at the start, while David Coulthard’s early retirement promoted the Williams into third. Felipe Massa crashed at Degner and Olivier Panis also retired as the field began to thin.

The Ferraris maintained control through the stops. Takuma Sato fought the Renaults for the final points places, benefiting when Jarno Trulli retired and then strengthening his pace after a front-wing adjustment. Ralf Schumacher’s late engine failure changed the podium order and lifted the home driver another position.

Michael Schumacher won ahead of Rubens Barrichello, becoming the first driver to finish on the podium at every race in a championship season. Kimi Räikkönen took third, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya, Takuma Sato and Jenson Button. Takuma Sato’s first points helped Jordan secure sixth in the constructors’ championship, providing a fitting home-race finale.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 144 points, followed by Rubens Barrichello on 77. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 221, with Williams on 92.

2002 Japanese Grand Prix race results

The 2002 Japanese Grand Prix was held on 13 October 2002, with a scheduled start of 14:30 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	53	1:26:59.698	10
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	53	+0.506	6
3	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	53	+23.292	4
4	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	53	+36.275	3
5	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	53	+1:22.694	2
6	15	Jenson Button	Renault	52	+1 lap	1
7	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	52	+1 lap	0
8	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	52	+1 lap	0
9	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	52	+1 lap	0
10	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	51	+2 laps	0
11	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	48	Engine	0
Ret	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	39	Transmission	0
Ret	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	37	Engine	0
Ret	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	32	Mechanical	0
Ret	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	27	Engine	0
Ret	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	14	Spun off	0
Ret	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	8	Mechanical	0
Ret	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	7	Throttle	0
Ret	8	Felipe Massa	Sauber	3	Accident	0
DNS	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	—	Injured in qualifying	0

2002 Japanese Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	15	1:36.125	218.003
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	23	1:36.345	217.505
3	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	26	1:36.590	216.954
4	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	38	1:36.757	216.579
5	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	46	1:36.848	216.376
6	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	20	1:37.761	214.355
7	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	35	1:37.840	214.182
8	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	30	1:38.000	213.832
9	15	Jenson Button	Renault	31	1:38.046	213.732
10	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	24	1:38.058	213.706
11	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	23	1:38.217	213.360
12	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	6	1:38.251	213.286
13	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	21	1:38.534	212.673
14	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	40	1:38.647	212.430
15	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	35	1:38.836	212.023
16	8	Felipe Massa	Sauber	3	1:39.954	209.652
17	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	51	1:40.232	209.070
18	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	6	1:40.937	207.610
19	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	4	1:42.082	205.282

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

2002 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix.

2002 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	144
2	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	77
3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	Williams	50
4	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	42
5	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	41
6	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	24
7	Jenson Button	British	Renault	14
8	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Renault	9
9	Eddie Irvine	British	Jaguar	8
10	Nick Heidfeld	German	Sauber	7
11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Jordan	7
12	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BAR	4
13	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Sauber	4
14	Olivier Panis	French	BAR	3
15	Takuma Sato	Japanese	Jordan	2
16	Mark Webber	Australian	Minardi	2
17	Mika Salo	Finnish	Toyota	2
18	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	German	Arrows / Sauber	2
19	Allan McNish	British	Toyota	0
20	Alex Yoong	Malaysian	Minardi	0
21	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	Jaguar	0
22	Enrique Bernoldi	Brazilian	Arrows	0
–	Anthony Davidson	British	Minardi	0

2002 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	221
2	Williams	92
3	McLaren	65
4	Renault	23
5	Sauber	11
6	Jordan	9
7	Jaguar	8
8	BAR	7
9	Minardi	2
10	Toyota	2
11	Arrows	2

2002 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2002 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	3 March
2	2002 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	17 March
3	2002 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	31 March
4	2002 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	14 April
5	2002 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	28 April
6	2002 Austrian Grand Prix	A1-Ring, Spielberg	12 May
7	2002 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	26 May
8	2002 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	9 June
9	2002 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	23 June
10	2002 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	7 July
11	2002 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	21 July
12	2002 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	28 July
13	2002 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	18 August
14	2002 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	1 September
15	2002 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	15 September
16	2002 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	29 September
17	2002 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	13 October