FORMULA 1: M. Schumacher looks to lock up title in Hungary

By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 17, 2001

BUDAPEST, Hungary - Michael Schumacher can clinch his fourth FIA Formula One World Championship if things go his way in the Hungarian Grand Prix on Aug. 19.

The title would add to Schumacher's legendary status, as he would become one of only three drivers who have won more than three World Championships. Juan Manuel Fangio won the championship a record five times, and Alain Prost won the championship four times. Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Niki Lauda, Jackie Stewart and Jack Brabham each won the title three times.

"I have traditionally gone well at the Hungarian Grand Prix," Schumacher said. "After the short break since the beginning of August, I am looking forward to racing again. I know it's possible for me to become World Champion here, but I would rather not dwell on that, as nothing is certain until it's happened."

If he wins Sunday, Schumacher wins the championship. It would also be his 51st victory, which would tie him with Alain Prost's all-time win record.

David Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher are still in mathematical contention for the championship. After 12 of 17 rounds, Michael Schumacher has 84 points, Coulthard 47 and Ralf Schumacher 41. But Michael Schumacher can clinch the title if he leaves Budapest with a 40-point advantage over Coulthard and a 41-point lead over his younger brother. The top six finishers in a Grand Prix earn points on a 10-6-4-3-2-1 basis.

If two drivers end up tied in points at the end of the season, the driver with the most wins is the champion. If they have the same number of wins, then the number of second places is earned by each driver is used as the tiebreaker. After that, the number of thirds, etc., is used.

Ferrari also can clinch a record 11th Constructors Championship this weekend.

"We are approaching this weekend prudently," said Ferrari Sporting Director Jean Todt, "because we know that it is actually possible for us to lose both championships. We know the world of racing too well to count our chickens before they hatch."

Because it is so difficult to overtake around the tight and twisting circuit located in the dry hills outside of Budapest, qualifying well for the Hungarian Grand Prix is crucial.

"The Hungaroring offers limited overtaking opportunities," Coulthard said, "with the only real chance under braking at the end of the pit straight, so Saturday's qualifying session is very important. The hot weather and dusty conditions add to the challenge of the race; however we are well prepared and determined to improve on the results of the last race."

Coulthard and West McLaren-Mercedes teammate Mika Hakkinen both retired from the recent German Grand Prix with oil-pump drive failures caused by a manufacturing fault. Ralf Schumacher won in Germany in his Williams-BMW, but he does not foresee the Williams-BMW team dominating in Hungary like it did in Germany.

"This is a different circuit for us," Ralf Schumacher said. "It's very tight; you need a lot of downforce here, you need to mechanical grip, and we have struggled to deliver that. I don't know how our car with the Michelin tires will work here or whether the tires will give us an advantage over Bridgestone here."

While Ralf admits that brother Michael should lock up the championship in the next race or two, he is not about to give up fighting.

"The (points) gap is so big now that I don't think that Michael will lose it," Ralf Schumacher said, "but the two of us (Ralf Schumacher and teammate Juan Pablo Montoya) will try to be in front and win this race and make it a bit more difficult for him to win this championship."

Text provided by Paul Kelly

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