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Formula 1 Merchandise | 2000 Spanish GP News |
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Championship Spanish Grand Prix Race Report Mika Hakkinen wins his first race of the 2000 season ahead of David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello. Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher and Heinz Harald Frentzen make the top 6. The race became exciting following the second pit stop when Michael Schumacher had a very slow pit stop allowing Mika Hakkinen to take the lead. Michael Schumacher rejoined but was clearly struggling as David Coulthard passed him. Then Rubens Barrichello managed to pass the Schumacher brothers on the same corner as Michael was defending his position from Ralf. Also a near tragedy in the Ferrari pits occurred when Michael Schumacher came into the pits for his first pit stop, he was given the all clear by the lollipop man even though the refuelers were not yet finished. One of the Ferrari mechanics (Nigel Stepny) was hit by the rear right wheel of the Ferrari. The mechanic suffered a twisted ankle. Race Start: Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen manage to have good starts and retain their positions, Ralf Schumacher jumps to third ahead of both Barrichello and David Coulthard. Rubens Barrichello is worse off after dropping 2 positions to 5th. Jacques Villeneuve maintained his 6th position. Pedro Diniz spun out on the first lap and Pedro de la Rosa who started from the back of the grid after Arrows withdrew their appeal, collided with Jean Alesi and both went out. Lap 2: Michael Schumacher has a gap of 2 seconds to Hakkinen while Ralf Schumacher is 4 seconds behind clearly holding David Coulthard who is just 0.8 seconds behind him. Rubens Barrichello is 2 seconds behind with Villeneuve a further 4 seconds behind. Lap 8: Michael Schumacher maintains a gap of around 3 seconds to Hakkinen but both are getting away from Ralf Schumacher who continues to hold David Coulthard. Rubens Barrichello appears settled in 5th and Jacques Villeneuve who is holding up Frentzen, Trulli and Button. Lap 20: Several pit stops already with Wurz, Gene and Heidfeld on lap 18 and Button and Herbert on the following two laps. None of the front runners pit. Race order: Michael Schumacher leading Mika Hakkinen by less than 2 seconds. Then Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello and Jacques Villeneuve. Lap 24: Ralf Schumacher pits giving way to David Coulthard, Jacques Villeneuve pits but his car catches fire moments after he rejoins. Jarno Trulli pits but stalls the engine losing valuable time. Lap 25: Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard pit, Coulthard has a problem selecting first gear and rejoins still behind Ralf Schumacher. Lap 26: Barrichello pits and so does Hakkinen who rejoins in second. Race Order after the top runners all pit: Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, Ralf Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard, Mika Salo Lap 32: Hakkinen reduces the gap to Michael to just 0.4 seconds Race Order : Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, Ralf Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard, Jenson Button Lap 38: Second pit stops start for several drivers including Wurz and Herbert. All the front runners are still out. Race Order : Michael Schumacher just 0.6 seconds ahead of Mika Hakkinen, Ralf Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard, Jenson Button Lap 39: David Coulthard pits followed by Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello on the following lap. Coulthard manages to pass both via the pits. On lap 42, both Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen pit, Hakkinen rejoins in front as Michael Schumacher has a refuelling problem. Race Order: Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button. Lap 46: David Coulthard is closing fast on Michael Schumacher. It appears that Michael has a problem. On lap 48, David Coulthard passes Michael Schumacher and takes 2nd position. Lap 51: Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello catch Michael Schumacher who is clearly suffering from a problem. Amazingly while Ralf challenges his brother Michael, Rubens Barrichello passes both !!. Michael pits and changes tyres. It is found that one of the tyres had low pressure but there was no sign of a puncture. Race Order: Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button Lap 63: Jenson Button retires with a blown engine, giving 6th place to Heinz Harald Frentzen. Race Result : Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher, Michael Schumacher and Heinz Harald Frentzen. |
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