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2001 Formula 1

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2001 German Grand Prix : 2001 German Grand Prix: Ralf Carries the Flag

By Jeremy McMullen

All throughout the 2001 season, Ralf Schumacher, and the Williams-BMW team, had managed to put up a fight. They weren't the best team in the paddock, but the potential was there every now and again for something great. At the Hockenheimring in late July, Ralf would have the opportunity to not merely carry the Williams flag. He would have the opportunity to be the toast of all Germany.

Ralf Schumacher had come into the 2001 season having never won a grand prix before in his life. However, by the time the German Grand Prix had rolled around on the calendar he had already scored two notable victories.

The first victory would come on Italian soil at the very circuit named for Enzo and Dino Ferrari. The Tifosi all expected Michael Schumacher and the Scuderia to romp home to another victory, but it would be Ralf in the BMW-powered Williams that would be the dominant package during the race.

After some less than stellar performances, Ralf, and the Formula One circus, would arrive in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. Many would hint Ralf was overreaching in qualifying. However, by the time he took the checkered flag in a dominant win over his brother, it was again clear not only he, but the Williams, was one of the most potent challengers in the pitlane.

The season majority of the season, leading up to the German Grand Prix, had proven to be hit-or-miss. When the team missed, it missed. However, when they hit, there was no other team that could come close.

This would never be more evident than in qualifying for the 45 lap German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. After Canada, it was widely agreed the BMW engine was the most powerful in Formula One. By the end of qualifying for the German Grand Prix there would be no doubting it.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher would be in a league all their own. Only four cars would make it into the 1:38 range around the 4.23 mile circuit. But, although Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher would dip into that lap time, both would be on the upper end while Montoya and Ralf Schumacher would be on the lower. Montoya would post a time of 1:38.117, averaging a little more than 155mph. Ralf would be right there finishing up qualifying having posted a best lap just one one-hundredths of a second slower. All of this meant the gap between the two Williams' and the McLaren of Hakkinen was more than a half a second!

The race on the 29th of July would be greeted with sunny skies and dry weather. This certainly benefited the Williams pair at the front of the field since their superior speed would not be limited by wet conditions. Both would be able to push to the maximum right from the beginning of the race and that half a second difference would be allowed to come into play over the course of the race.

The cars would take their places on the grid. The red lights would come on, one by one, and then go out. The 45 lap race would be under way with Montoya leading the way and Ralf slotted in behind in 2nd place. The two McLarens would get away well leaving Michael to fend off others for 5th place. And then, further back, there would be heavy jostling going on that would result in the Prost of Luciano Burti getting launched into the air in a dramtic aerial display that would leave Burti upside-down while in the air, but then landing on its wheels when it came crashing to earth. But, while everyone would be taken by the dramatic scene of Burti's crash they would fail to realize just who it was that had launched him. Michael Schumacher's lame Ferrari would help to solve that mystery. It was parked just past the first turn with no drive. Obviously the yellow flags would be out, as well as the safety car and a red flag because of all the debris.

The race would start all over again with a full grid of cars. There would be a repeat performance at the front as Montoya beat Ralf off the line. Those that had been without hope minutes before would be slicing and dicing for position behind. But while the racing would be spectacular behind the two Williams, the two BMW-powered machines would be the story leaving the rest of the field behind.

Juan Pablo was not going to waste time and wasn't concerned with wasting his machinery either. He would push lap after lap and would continually set the fastest lap of the race while Ralf sat content knowing just how hard the 'ring' can be on a race car.

Montoya's lead, by half distance, was around 10 seconds to the sister car. There would be almost 20 seconds between Ralf and any other car on the circuit. It was clearly Williams' day, if their cars could make it to the end.

Montoya had the race firmly within his control. He just needed a smooth stop and he would be able to control things to the end. However, the stop would not go as planned with the refueler taking almost 20 extra seconds to make sure the car was filled. Montoya would be back in the race. He would be in 3rd place, but Rubens Barrichello would have to stop again. So 2nd place was assuredly the Colombian's. However, the engine would have other ideas and it would give up the fight not long after the stop.

Montoya's unfortunate stop and resulting engine failure set up the 'perfect scenario' for Ralf. Williams had been the dominant package all throughout the weekend. There certainly appeared to be a weakness following Montoya's stop and engine failure. However, Ralf would be there to pick up the pieces, and it couldn't have been more ideal.

The German was in the lead of the German Grand Prix. His German powerplant was powerful and in a class all its own. The German was in the lead comfortably and could control the events that transpired from then on. He had put together dominant performances at other times in the season. This was no different…well…a little different as far as Ralf was concerned.

Ralf would not get carried away with his emotions. He would assume control of the race and would never look flustered, or out of control, at any point following. His teammate had fallen, but Ralf was there to pick up the flag and carry on. And perhaps it was more suitable the Colombian faltered, as it would allow the German to carry the German flag forward as well. But this time it would be a different Schumacher taking the honor.

Prior to the start of the season, Ralf had not won a single race. He would overcome that barrier over the course of the season winning two races in impressive style. But there would only be one victory that would be more special than the first for the German and he was handed that opportunity less than halfway into the German Grand Prix.

It appeared it was going to be another Schumacher one-two until just passed the halfway mark when Michael retired. It would have been the second time Ralf had gotten the better of his older brother. Instead, it was Rubens Barrichello that would be left to follow Ralf across the line, some 46 seconds adrift. Jacques Villeneuve would also make it onto the podium to celebrate with the man that had, effectively, replaced him at Williams following his departure to BAR.

It would be a fantastic day for Ralf. It would be his third win on the season and it would come in his home grand prix. It had been a dominant performance by the Williams team. It was going to be a fight between the two drivers as to whom it was that was going to take the honors. However, it seemed as though, and perhaps rightly so, that providence took care of that. It would be the German holding up the team's and his national flag. It would be the German hearing his national anthem being played. It would be the German winning the German round of the World Championship. All would be right.