Schumacher re-establishes points buffer
BY JUSTIN LACY | 28th May 2001
Coulthard's McLaren-Mercedes experienced problems with its launch control system at the beginning of the formation lap which stopped the engine and he was unable to take his pole position place on the grid.
"It's something we have tested a lot and it shouldn't have happened, so obviously I was frustrated when it occurred," Coulthard said. He was seen punching the steering wheel in frustration at the time of the incident.
Ironically, just hours earlier the Scot had commented that he was not concerned about the recent problems plaguing McLaren's launch control system, which have seen the outfit's cars stall on the grid four times this season.
"I will certainly not be sitting on the grid worrying if the launch control is going to let me down," he said. "I will be too busy concentrating on the lights being flicked off."Unfortunately, Coulthard never got to see the lights flick off from pole position, as he was forced to start the race from the back of the grid after finally getting the engine started and completing the formation lap.
Schumacher inherited the number one spot when he was left all alone on the front row and went on to win the race, recording his fourth win of the season.
The victory brings the German's career total to 48, just three wins shy of Alain Prost's all-time record, which now looks set to tumble this year with ten races still remaining.
Rubens Barrichello finished second to give Ferrari a one-two photo finish after Schumacher backed off considerably in the last few laps. The quinella helped Ferrari extend its lead in the constructors' championship, picking up 16 points to McLaren's two.
Eddie Irvine finished third to claim Jaguar's first points of the season and the marque's first ever podium finish in formula one racing.
A last minute charge for third place by Jacques Villeneuve in his BAR Honda was unsuccessful and he ended up in fourth.
Coulthard fought his way through from last to fifth for the second time this season, despite the warm-up lap disaster and getting caught behind Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi's Arrows for a number of laps.
The final points position went to Jean Alesi in the Prost, his first for the team in two years and their first for this season.
Schumacher's lead over Coulthard in the drivers' championship has now stretched to 12 points, while Barrichello sits in third with 24 points well clear of Ralf Schumacher on 12 points.
Ferrari leads the constructors' championship with 76 points, while McLaren holds down second place with 44 points. Williams is the best of the rest with 18 points to its credit in third position.
* Australia's Mark Webber dominated the third round of the Formula 3000 Championship, qualifying his Super Nova Lola on pole position and scoring his second win of the season after leading the entire race.
Webber was always in control at the front despite having his track advantage taken away twice during safety car periods.
The 24-year-old has moved from fourth to second in the drivers' standings as a result of the win with 20 points against his name, 11 points behind leader Justin Wilson of the UK.
He is the first Australian to have won a major race around the streets of Monte Carlo since Jack Brabham won the grand prix in 1959.
RACE RESULTS1 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) 1hr47:22.5612 R Barrichello (Ferrari) +0.4313 E Irvine (Jaguar) +30.6984 J Villeneuve (BAR) +32.4545 D Coulthard (McLaren) +1 lap6 J Alesi (Prost) +1 lap7 Jenson Button (Benetton) +1 lap8 Jos Verstappen (Arrows) +1 lap9 E Bernoldi (Arrows) +2 laps10 Kimi Raikkonen (Sauber) +5 lapsDRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP1 M Schumacher (GER) 522 Coulthard (SCO) 403 Barrichello (BRA) 244 R Schumacher (GER) 12 5 N Heidfeld (UK) 86 Villeneuve CAN) 77 J Trulli (ITA) 78 J-P Montoya (COL) 69 H-H Frentzen (GER) 610 O Panis (FRA) 5CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP1 Ferrari 762 McLaren 443 Williams 184 Jordan 135 Sauber 126 BAR 127 Jaguar 48 Benetton 19 Arrows 110 Prost 1 Next round: Grand Prix of Canada at Montreal, June 10