2000 Spanish Grand Prix
The Grand Prix of Spain 2000 was on May 7 at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló place and was the fifth race of the Formula 1 season 2000. Winner was Mika Häkkinen (McLaren -Mercedes) ahead of David Coulthard (McLaren -Mercedes) and Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari).
- 3.1 qualifying
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
After the Grand Prix of Great Britain, Michael Schumacher led the drivers' championship with 20 points, ahead of David Coulthard and Mika Häkkinen with 22 points ahead. Ferrari resulted in the constructors' championship with 17 points ahead of McLaren -Mercedes with 31 points ahead of Williams - BMW.
With Michael Schumacher, Mika Häkkinen (each twice) and Jacques Villeneuve (once) were three former winners of this Grand Prix.
Training
In the first free practice session Michael Schumacher posted the fastest lap in front of his brother Ralf Schumacher and his teammate Rubens Barrichello. In the second free practice session Michael Schumacher kept the top position in front of Coulthard and Barrichello.
Qualifying
In qualifying, followed by another personal best of Michael Schumacher, who scored the pole position ahead of Häkkinen and Barrichello.
Warm Up
Michael Schumacher was also in the warm up the fastest pilot and was thus after each training session in the lead. On the second and third place followed Hakkinen and Barrichello.
Race
At the start, Michael Schumacher was initially going not so good, but with a line change, he kept Hakkinen behind. His brother Ralf Schumacher, however, had a better start and overtook Barrichello first inside and then outside Coulthard. For Pedro Diniz, the race was stopped in the first round after a spin. One lap later also secreted Pedro de la Rosa and Jean Alesi, which collided off.
The top group was divided into three groups quickly. Front, Michael Schumacher and Hakkinen put successively on the remaining riders. Behind Ralf Schumacher Coulthard and Barrichello held on. Behind the three pilots was formed again a larger gap because Villeneuve Heinz- Harald Frentzen, Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button was staying. This order remained until the 21st round in which Villeneuve failed with an engine failure, exist. Three laps later, Michael Schumacher came with a lead of three seconds Hakkinen into the pits. As he pulled away too early, he violated the gas station attendant easily. One lap later, Barrichello and Coulthard followed with their pit stop. Ferrari had responded in the meantime and used the spare pump attendant. Coulthard stopped a little longer and Barrichello managed to sail past him. However, Ralf Schumacher retained even after his pit stop position before the two. After Jos Verstappen had failed in the 26th round with a gearbox failure, even Häkkinen went to the box. Although Michael Schumacher was able to take the lead again, be ahead of Häkkinen, however, was significantly reduced.
Also Trulli had problems with his pit stop and then the duel developed for sixth place between Button and Frentzen. At the top it did not succeed Schumacher, to break away from Häkkinen and the two pilots were several rounds in one second. Behind them both Barrichello tried, unlike Coulthard in the first section, not to drive past Ralf Schumacher. The peak positions remained unchanged until the 39th round. First Coulthard completed his stop and he managed to overtake the pilots before him, Ralf Schumacher and Barrichello. The two pilots came a lap later to the box and Barrichello did not improve his position after the stop. Behind the first five pilots managed Button to drive past Frentzen and get ahead of him. In the 41th round of Michael Schumacher and Hakkinen went the same time to the box. Schumacher's pit crew had problems with his stop, which lasted a total of 17 seconds. Häkkinen thus took the lead.
Schumacher was slower after the pit stop on the way. Hakkinen broke away from him and Coulthard significantly reduced the gap to him. After Coulthard was digested in the 46th round on Michael Schumacher, he managed later to overtake his opponent a round. Michael Schumacher dropped back further and was placed in the 51st of his brother Ralf Schumacher under pressure. Michael spectacular block his brother, who tried an overtaking maneuver, and both lost some time. Barrichello took advantage of the situation and moved past them. A little later, Ralf Schumacher to overtake his brother. Michael Schumacher subsequently completed another pit stop and had to exchange his tires. The left rear tire had lost air and was thus responsible for Schumacher's loss of power. With two laps to difference of sixth-placed Button with an engine failure.
Häkkinen was finally able to retract his first win of the season. With Coulthard in second place McLaren scored a double victory. It was Häkkinen's third victory in Spain in a row and also Coulthard reached for the third consecutive time in Spain in second place. Barrichello completed the podium. The other points were awarded to Ralf and Michael Schumacher and Frentzen.
In the world championship Häkkinen made further points to Schumacher well. In the Constructors' World Championship McLaren -Mercedes, reducing the deficit significantly to Ferrari.
Message list
Classifications
Qualifying
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 10, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).