2001 European Grand Prix

Championship standings

Schumacher leads with 58 points, eighteen clear of Coulthard. Barrichello is third on 24, Ralf Schumacher fourth on 22, and Häkkinen fifth on 8.

Previous race

At Montreal, Ralf Schumacher won after Michael pitted and Ralf, having upped his pace on a clear track, came out five seconds ahead. The brothers finished 1–2 — the first time in Formula One that two siblings had achieved the feat. Häkkinen took third for his first podium of the season; Coulthard’s engine failed 15 laps from the end.

Between-race developments

Frentzen was declared fit to race by FIA Medical Delegate Sid Watkins and returns to Jordan, with Zonta standing down.

Circuit note

This is the Nürburgring’s final Formula One appearance at its current 4.556 km layout. The circuit will be extended by 0.592 km from 2002.

Practice

The circuit was dirty for Friday’s sessions, forcing several drivers into the gravel traps. Coulthard led FP1, with Häkkinen setting the day’s fastest time in FP2. Irvine’s fuel pump failed on his out lap in FP1, preventing him from setting a time. Barrichello’s throttle problem caused a slow lap in FP2. Schumacher dominated Saturday, leading FP3 and FP4. Villeneuve spun into the gravel at turn five with ten minutes left in FP3. McLaren’s test driver Alexander Wurz set the fastest time on the final day of inter-race testing at Silverstone — more than six-tenths faster than Häkkinen — prompting further discussion about whether McLaren should consider using team orders to support Coulthard over Häkkinen in the title fight. Both Coulthard and Häkkinen rejected the idea publicly.