2002 United States Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Rubens Barrichello won the United States Grand Prix by just 0.011 seconds after Michael Schumacher slowed for a side-by-side Ferrari finish. David Coulthard completed the podium as another dominant Ferrari performance ended with an unexpected change of winner.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Pole time	1:10.790
Fastest lap	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:12.738 on lap 27
First	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
Second	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Third	David Coulthard	McLaren

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
27 September 2002	Practice 1	11:00
27 September 2002	Practice 2	13:00
28 September 2002	Practice 3	09:00
28 September 2002	Practice 4	10:15
28 September 2002	Qualifying	13:00
29 September 2002	Warm-up	08:30
29 September 2002	Race	13:00

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 16 leading the 2002 F1 World Championship on 128 points, with Rubens Barrichello on 61. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 189 points.

Race entries

Heinz-Harald Frentzen replaced Felipe Massa at Sauber for this race. Felipe Massa had received a grid penalty after his Monza collision, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen was preparing to join the team the following season. Alex Yoong continued alongside Mark Webber at Minardi, and Arrows remained absent.

Free Practice

Michael Schumacher led the first Friday session after overnight rain left parts of the circuit damp. Rubens Barrichello crashed heavily at the entry to the banking after losing tyre pressure, damaging the Ferrari and missing the rest of the day. Ralf Schumacher also hit the tyre wall later in the session.

The track dried for the afternoon and Michael Schumacher improved, with Eddie Irvine second. Takuma Sato slid across wet grass into the barriers, Juan Pablo Montoya stopped with a suspected engine problem and Renault called Jenson Button to a halt after detecting a possible gearbox issue. Rubens Barrichello remained sidelined because spare cars could not be used in practice.

Friday Practice Classification — Combined

2002 United States Grand Prix opening-day practice, 27 September 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:13.548	33
2	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+0.575s	27
3	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	+1.371s	39
4	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.438s	30
5	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.487s	40
6	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+1.588s	37
7	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+1.661s	42
8	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.708s	41
9	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+1.712s	37
10	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.743s	37
11	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+1.756s	34
12	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	+1.873s	38
13	15	Jenson Button	Renault	+2.000s	40
14	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	+2.041s	46
15	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	+2.081s	47
16	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+2.084s	26
17	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	+2.111s	26
18	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	+2.393s	34
19	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	+2.590s	46

Michael Schumacher led Rubens Barrichello in the cool, foggy first Saturday session. Takuma Sato’s engine failed almost immediately and caught fire after he stopped. Jordan transferred the engine from the spare car to restore the rookie’s running.

Michael Schumacher completed a sweep of the four practice sessions as the fog cleared. Kimi Räikkönen crashed near the end and broke the McLaren’s front suspension, forcing further work before qualifying. Ferrari’s repaired second car remained closest to the leading time.

Saturday Practice Classification — Combined

2002 United States Grand Prix Saturday practice, 28 September 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:11.158	28
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.236s	29
3	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+0.530s	25
4	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.691s	26
5	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.751s	22
6	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+0.752s	26
7	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.834s	25
8	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.004s	26
9	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+1.062s	28
10	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+1.431s	23
11	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	+1.498s	25
12	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+1.521s	28
13	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.568s	17
14	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	+1.588s	28
15	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.598s	30
16	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	+1.668s	17
17	15	Jenson Button	Renault	+1.720s	28
18	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	+2.046s	33
19	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	+2.389s	20
20	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	+2.404s	34

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

Qualifying

Michael Schumacher claimed pole ahead of Rubens Barrichello, with David Coulthard taking third on his final run. Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher qualified fourth and fifth. Kimi Räikkönen used the spare McLaren after his practice crash and secured sixth.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen qualified eleventh on his Sauber return. Alex Yoong crashed but qualified in the spare Minardi, while changing grip and yellow flags complicated several drivers’ attempts to improve late in the session.

Qualifying Classification

2002 United States Grand Prix Qualifying, 28 September 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:10.790	11
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:11.058	12
3	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:11.413	12
4	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:11.414	11
5	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:11.587	12
6	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:11.633	12
7	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:11.738	12
8	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:11.888	12
9	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	1:11.902	12
10	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	1:11.953	11
11	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	1:12.083	12
12	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	1:12.161	9
13	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	1:12.282	10
14	15	Jenson Button	Renault	1:12.401	12
15	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	1:12.647	12
16	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	1:12.723	11
17	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	1:12.739	12
18	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	1:13.128	12
19	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	1:13.213	11
20	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	1:13.809	5

Sunday warm-up

Michael Schumacher again led the warm-up, with Rubens Barrichello second. David Coulthard tried the spare McLaren after a small fuel leak in his race car, requiring adjustments from Kimi Räikkönen’s settings. Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella stalled while attempting practice starts at the pit exit.

Warm-up Classification

2002 United States Grand Prix Warm-up, 29 September 2002

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:13.183	14
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.138s	16
3	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	+0.288s	12
4	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	+0.535s	14
5	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.582s	10
6	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	+0.684s	14
7	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	+0.715s	15
8	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.747s	10
9	15	Jenson Button	Renault	+0.891s	8
10	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+0.971s	17
11	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.040s	16
12	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+1.053s	13
13	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.071s	13
14	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.194s	14
15	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+1.420s	16
16	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.467s	8
17	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	+1.661s	15
18	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	+2.037s	15
19	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	+2.074s	16
20	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	+2.339s	13

What happened in the 2002 United States Grand Prix?

Michael Schumacher led Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard away. The Williams drivers collided while disputing position early in the race, costing Juan Pablo Montoya ground and forcing Ralf Schumacher to stop for a replacement rear wing. Ferrari quickly established control with its two-stop strategy.

Juan Pablo Montoya recovered despite stopping earlier than planned after misreading a pit board. Kimi Räikkönen struggled with a misfiring engine before retiring, while David Coulthard managed his own engine carefully to preserve third. Michael Schumacher remained ahead of Rubens Barrichello through the final stops.

Schumacher slowed sharply approaching the finish to bring the Ferraris together, but Rubens Barrichello crossed the line fractionally first. David Coulthard finished third ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya, Jarno Trulli and Jacques Villeneuve. Rubens Barrichello’s fourth win of the season also secured second place in the drivers’ championship.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 134 points, followed by Rubens Barrichello on 71. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 205, with Williams on 89.

2002 United States Grand Prix race results

The 2002 United States Grand Prix was held on 29 September 2002, with a scheduled start of 13:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	73	1:31:07.934	10
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	73	+ 0.011	6
3	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	73	+ 7.799	4
4	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	73	+ 9.911	3
5	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	73	+ 56.847	2
6	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	73	+ 58.211	1
7	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	72	+1 lap	0
8	15	Jenson Button	Renault	72	+1 lap	0
9	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	72	+1 lap	0
10	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	72	+1 lap	0
11	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	72	+1 lap	0
12	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	72	+1 lap	0
13	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	71	+2 laps	0
14	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	71	+2 laps	0
15	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	71	+2 laps	0
16	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	71	+2 laps	0
Ret	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	50	Engine	0
Ret	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	46	Engine	0
Ret	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	38	Steering	0
Ret	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	27	Transmission	0

2002 United States Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	27	1:12.738	207.473
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	26	1:12.754	207.427
3	6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	72	1:12.798	207.302
4	5	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	71	1:13.260	205.995
5	3	David Coulthard	McLaren	41	1:13.481	205.375
6	4	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	42	1:13.819	204.435
7	11	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	48	1:13.848	204.354
8	9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	34	1:14.025	203.866
9	14	Jarno Trulli	Renault	27	1:14.026	203.863
10	16	Eddie Irvine	Jaguar	41	1:14.190	203.412
11	12	Olivier Panis	BAR	47	1:14.263	203.212
12	15	Jenson Button	Renault	71	1:14.265	203.207
13	10	Takuma Sato	Jordan	47	1:14.556	202.414
14	7	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	27	1:14.557	202.411
15	24	Mika Salo	Toyota	54	1:14.672	202.099
16	8	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	64	1:14.796	201.764
17	25	Allan McNish	Toyota	40	1:14.882	201.533
18	22	Alex Yoong	Minardi	38	1:15.347	200.289
19	23	Mark Webber	Minardi	29	1:15.367	200.236
20	17	Pedro de la Rosa	Jaguar	25	1:15.498	199.888

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 United States Grand Prix.

2002 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	134
2	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	71
3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	Williams	47
4	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	42
5	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	41
6	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	20
7	Jenson Button	British	Renault	13
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	Mark Webber	Australian	Minardi	2
16	Mika Salo	Finnish	Toyota	2
17	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	German	Arrows / Sauber	2
18	Allan McNish	British	Toyota	0
19	Alex Yoong	Malaysian	Minardi	0
20	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	Jaguar	0
21	Takuma Sato	Japanese	Jordan	0
22	Enrique Bernoldi	Brazilian	Arrows	0
–	Anthony Davidson	British	Minardi	0

2002 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	205
2	Williams	89
3	McLaren	61
4	Renault	22
5	Sauber	11
6	Jaguar	8
7	BAR	7
8	Jordan	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