2001 Formula One season

The 2001 Formula One season was the 52nd season of FIA Formula One racing. It featured the FIA Formula One World Championship which commenced on March 4, 2001 and ended on October 14 after seventeen races. Michael Schumacher won the Drivers title with a record margin of 58 points, after achieving nine victories and five second places and Ferrari won the Constructors award. The season marked the reintroduction of traction control, with the FIA permitting its use starting at the Spanish Grand Prix. Traction control had been banned since 1994.

In the form of Minardi’s Fernando Alonso and Sauber’s Kimi Räikkönen, two future world champions were taking to the grid for the very first time at the season opener in Melbourne. Exciting Colombian talent and former CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya was also making his F1 bow at Williams.

There were new beginnings for French companies Renault and Michelin. After four years out of the sport, Renault returned to supply engines to the Benetton team, while Michelin’s comeback as a tyre supplier would provide Bridgestone with competition for the first time since Goodyear left the sport at the end of the 1998 season.

On the other hand though, the sport was to lose some memorable characters at the end of the year. Double world champion Mika Häkkinen would initially announce his intention to take a one year sabbatical; but eventually, as expected, this became full-time retirement.

Also racing for the last time was Jean Alesi, who passed the...
Read More