The Brazilian GP:

Brazil is the heart of F1. The atmosphere was electric. The fans queued up to see home favourite and darling of the crowds Rubens Barrichello or Rubinho as it is to them. There were a few other Brazilians too namely Enrique Bernoldi, Tarso Marques and Luciano Burti.

Michael Schumacher had done very well in qualifying and so had his kid brother Ralf Schumacher. It was to be the first time that two brothers were on the front row of the starting grid. Mika Hakkinen looked extremely strong at third and Juan Pablo Montoya was very fast too. Rubinho disappointed the crowds though and he could only pick up sixth place on the starting grid. Coulthard too was disappointing in 5th.

Interlagos is a very fast track and it was bound to be a very well competed race.

Race day started badly for Barrichello as he had to start in the spare car. The formation lap went without any hitches and everything looked very good. But, at GO there was complete confusion. Hakkinen who was looking very fast and capable of winning the race stalled his car. He remained seated at the grid waving his hands trying to signal for the start to be aborted with no avail. Cars behind him just managed to storm by him while he sat their helpless. Meanwhile Montoya had a good start and he found himself at second place. The safety car was called and it stayed out for two laps. Then when it was finally called in, Montoya in a superb exhibition of his own skill and that of The 18000 RPM BMW engine stormed down the inside of World Champion Michael Schumacher and took over first place in only his third race! He stayed there for about 25 laps and looked very good to win the race but was extremely unlucky when he was hit from behind by Verstappen after he had overtaken the latter to lap him.

Barrichello once again was a disappointment at his home GP when he hit Ralf Schumacher from behind. It was over for him while Ralf limped back to the pits and was able to continue.

Coulthard took the lead as Schumacher had already stopped for his first stop, Coulthard was on a single stop.

Then came the rain and things turned topsy turvy. Cars skidded around the place including 2 uncharacteristic spins by Michael Schumacher and after the inevitable tyre changes Coulthard overtook Schumacher in a superb overtaking manoeuvre on the straight. It was a reminder of Hakkinen's superb Spa move last year.

The Jordans were in third and sixth while Heidfeld was in fourth when Frentzen in third position encountered a problem towards the end and was forced to retire. That meant the Nick Heidfeld was able to finish in a podium position. It was the first for him. Coulthard took the chequered flag in 1st place while Schumacher took it in second.

Hakkinen was the first to congratulate Coulthard on his win. This win for McLaren was very significant. It signified the end Michael Schumacher's great run.

The focus now shifts to San Marino- Imola . This is the first race of the European part of the tour. I'm sure it shall be a great race