Formula One: Villeneuve misses out on podium but Zonta scores stunning point
11 September 2000
Honda's 200th Formula One race promised great things at Monza this afternoon. Jacques Villeneuve had qualified fourth to raise hopes of securing Honda's first podium result since the company's return to Grand Prix racing at the beginning of this year. Ultimately, however, it was Villeneuve's team mate Ricardo Zonta who delivered the anniversary points. A stunning charge through the field from 17th on the grid, during which he recorded the third fastest race lap, brought Zonta home in sixth place for Lucky Strike Reynard BAR Honda.Villeneuve made a clean get-away off the grid, but his progress was impeded by the slow starting Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello and by the time the field had navigated the first chicane, the Canadian was down to eighth. It turned out to be a blessing, however, as four of the cars ahead of him were immediately eliminated at the second chicane.
Villeneuve, just behind the accident, was able to steer a course through the melee, emerging in third position, before the Safety Car was deployed to allow the marshals to clear the debris. At the same corner, Ricardo Zonta had been hit by the Arrows of Pedro De la Rosa. The Brazilian suffered a puncture in the incident and was forced to pit at the end of the first lap, rejoining the train of cars in 13th place.
A total of 11 laps were spent behind the Safety Car and once the race restarted, Villeneuve was able to establish a comfortable advantage over the fourth-placed Ralf Schumacher. The straight-line speed advantage of the BAR Honda was clearly demonstrated as Villeneuve pulled away and on a strong one-stop strategy, a first podium finish for the team looked to be a formality. Unfortunately, an electrical problem on lap 15 cut the engine power and Villeneuve pulled off to the side of the circuit.
Despite the excitement at the front of the race, the progress of Ricardo Zonta drew all the attention. His two-stop strategy had been upset by the first lap puncture and subsequent pit stop, but with the power of Honda's latest engine in the back of his car, Zonta was able to slice his way through the pack down the high-speed Monza straights.
A series of more than ten brave and impressive overtaking manoeuvres saw Zonta rise to third place by lap 21, underlining the racing ability that had made him F3000 champion in 1997. Two laps later, his first scheduled stop dropped him to 12th, but once more he rose through the field and was sixth before he emerged from his final pit stop in ninth place. As his rivals pitted, Zonta took advantage and concluded a dramatic race in sixth position.
Jacques Villeneuve Position: DNF - Lap 15
"This was one of the best opportunities that we had to get a podium finish
this season, so it is a big shame that we did not finish the race."
Ricardo Zonta Position: 6th
"De la Rosa hit my front tyre, causing a puncture, so I had to pit on the
first lap. After that, I was able to pass many people. The car was very
fast and I could overtake everyone down the straights. Of course I am very
happy to finish sixth from 17th, but if I had not had the problem in
qualifying I would have been able to start higher and would have been able
to fight for a better position, maybe even a podium. When the safety car
came out, I did think that we might change the strategy, but in the end I
am glad to get a point for myself and the team."
Takefumi Hosaka - Managing Director, Honda R&D
"Although Ricardo did a fantastic job to finish sixth, we are obviously a
little disappointed with today's result. Both drivers did very well to
survive the first lap incident and we were on course for a very good
result, so it was a great shame that Jacques had to retire. For Ricardo to
finish sixth having started 17th is a great achievement, particularly as
he has been so unlucky all weekend. After his final stop, Ricardo had
problems with his rear brakes and could not push as hard towards the end."
Jordan Mugen Honda's race was over before the end of the first lap. Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen appeared to come together approaching the second corner and when the dust had settled both drivers found themselves in the gravel. It was scant reward for a strong showing this weekend that had seen Trulli start sixth and Frentzen eighth.
The Formula One teams leave Europe behind and head for the inaugural Indianapolis Grand Prix in two weeks' time on Sunday 24 September, the first of three fly-away events that bring the 2000 F1 season to a close. BAR Honda is testing at Silverstone this week, 11-12 September.