Sunday June 18th, 2000
By Marcus Lee
Michael Schumacher mastered his rivals on a rain-drenched track to complete his fifth win of the season and 40th of his career in the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Schumacher, now a healthy 22 points clear in the championship, eased home ahead of Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello after surviving a spin on the 47th of 69 laps.
Barrichello was only 0.174 of a second behind when the German took the flag, but Schumacher had let him close because he knew he had the race sewn up.
Italian Giancarlo Fisichella secured third position in his Benetton to continue his impressive record of finishing every race this season. Schumacher said: "There is no need to think about the championship at this stage as I believe in the golden rule that it's not over until it's over."
"I have been through 10 years in Formula One and have a lot of experience in the business. I want to wait until the season is final before I can celebrate.
"It was a case of lucky 13 for me as nobody had won from pole for that many races. What went wrong for us in Monte Carlo went right for me here so I'm very happy."
Schumacher was not the only driver to run into problems in the first wet race in Montreal since 1989.
Penalty
Schumacher's job was made all the more simpler when closest title challenger David Coulthard incurred a 10-second stop-go penalty after stalling before the formation lap.
Race stewards decided the Scot's McLaren mechanics did not leave the car quickly enough after rushing back on to the track to help him.
The penalty and a subsequent collision with the Arrows of Dutchman Jos Verstappen left Coulthard seventh and out of the points.
Schumacher added: "I guessed there was a problem with David and the team informed me over the radio.
"It didn't affect me at all and I just drove my own race. He was never close enough to attack me and once he was out I took things a lot easier.
"We had some kind of worry with the sensor so I just drove a safe race without pushing too hard.
"I locked up going into the first corner and went straight through the gravel but that was only because I didn't want to risk a spin."
Barrichello admitted that he was fortunate to close on his teammate in the final stages and said he would have remained behind the German.
Clutch Problem
The Brazilian said: "I had a clutch problem so I'm happy with runners-up spot. I have no problem with backing off to protect Michael and it was a great result for the team."
"Whenever I have a chance to start in front of Michael and have my race, I am sure the team will let me win.
"It is just a question of playing by the rules. I respect very much the team," Barrichello said. "I am knocking on the door of my win."
Schumacher praised his teammate for protecting him late in the race as conditions and visibility deteriorated and pools of standing water appeared on the circuit, causing cars to aquaplane off.
"He protected me at the end, as I was going very slow just to play it safe," Schumacher said. "He is a good man, so one day I will pay him back for that."
Reigning champion Mika Hakkinen could only manage fourth place in his McLaren, with Verstappen a distant fifth. The Finn now trails Schumacher by 24 points.
Home favourite Jacques Villeneuve was forced out four laps from the end after a collision with the Williams of German Ralf Schumacher.
The Canadioan had been as high as second in his BAR after a storming start that vaulted him from sixth on the grid.
Villeneuve's charge certainly surprised Barrichello. "It was a strange feeling, but in a way it was better that it was Villeneuve than Mika (Hakkinen) because I knew that he couldn't go that fast so I would have a chance to overtake," Barrichello said.
"But it was only when it did start to rain a little bit that I had my chance."
PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS
The Canadian Grand Prix
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montrea;
69 laps, 305.049kms;
Weather: Dry, and then rain.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team
1. M.Schumacher Ferrari 1h 41:12.313
2. Barrichello Ferrari + 0.174
3. Fisichella Benetton Playlife + 15.300
4. Hakkinen McLaren Mercedes + 18.500
5. Verstappen Arrows Supertec + 52.200
6. Trulli Jordan Mugen-Honda + 1:01.600
7. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes + 1:02.200
8. Zonta BAR Honda + 1:10.400
9. Wurz Benetton Playlife + 1:19.800
10. Diniz Sauber Petronas + 1:29.500
11. Button Williams BMW 1 Lap
12. Mazzacane Minardi Fondmetal 1 Lap
13. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth 3 Laps
14. R.Schumacher Williams BMW 5 Laps *
15. Villeneuve BAR Honda 5 Laps *
16. Gene Minardi Fondmetal 5 Laps
* Retired after crashing
Fastest Lap: M.Hakkinen, 1:19.049 (201.338 km/h) lap 37
Not Classified/Retirements:
Driver Team On Lap Reason
de la Rosa Arrows Supertec 48 accident
Salo Sauber Petronas 42 engine electric
Alesi Prost Peugeot 39 hyraulics
Heidfeld Prost Peugeot 35 engine
Frentzen Jordan Mugen-Honda 33 brakes
Herbert Jaguar Cosworth 14 gearbox
Lap Leaders: Laps 01-34, M.Schumacher;
Laps 35-42, Barrichello;
Laps 42-69, M.Schumacher.
World Championship Standing, Round 8:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. M.Schumacher 56 1. Ferrari 84
2. Coulthard 34 2. McLaren 66
3. Hakkinen 32 3. Benetton-Playlife 18
4. Barrichello 28 4. Williams-BMW 15
5. Fisichella 18 5. Jordan-Mugen Honda 10
6. R.Schumacher 12 6. BAR-Honda 6
7. Villeneuve 5 7. Jaguar 3
= Frentzen 5 = Sauber 3
=. Trulli 5 = Arrows 3
10. Button 3
= Irvine 3
= Salo 3
13. Verstappen 2
14. Zonta 1
= de la Rosa 1
All timing unofficial