Giancarlo Fisichella claimed DHL Jordan Honda's first points of the 2002 season with a fighting drive into 5th position in a race dominated by Ferrari, but marred by a serious accident involving the second Jordan of Takuma Sato.  Rubens Barrichello dominated the race only to give way to Michael Schumacher at the chequered flag as a result of team orders, but it was Fisichella's performance which attracted much comment, the Italian one-stopping during the second of two safety car sessions and overtaking David Coulthard's McLaren prior to the demanding Rindt Curve when the Scottish driver ran wide.

Takuma Sato's race ended when his Jordan was hit in the side by the Sauber of Nick Heidfeld, an apparent breakage on the German's car sending it careering across the entry to Zeltweg's notorious hairpin at an estimated 200kph.  The rear of the Sauber smashed into the Jordan's cockpit, right next to Sato's right side, causing enormous damage to the chassis.  For a time there was concern that Sato was seriously injured, and he was attended by the FIA Medical team headed by Professor Sid Watkins.  He was then transferred by ambulance to the circuit medical centre and subsequently move to hospital in Graz by Air Ambulance.  His condition is understood to be stable and he is conscious, talking and reporting only pain and bruising to his right side.

Professor Watkins described Sato's escape to Eddie Jordan as 'a miracle' and the Japanese drivers parents, girlfriend and manager Andrew Gilbert-Scott have travelled to Graz's University Hospital to be at his side.

Sato's accident caused the second safety car period, the first occurring when Oliver Panis's BAR Honda appeared to suffer engine failure, locking its rear wheels and spinning to a standstill to block the pit straight.   The two DHL Jordan Hondas had made good progress from the start of the race, moving swiftly into 12th and 16th positions on the opening lap, Fisichella leading the way and moving into the top 10.

As the race unfolded, and pit stop strategies were modified in line with the Safety Car periods, it was decided that Fisichella should stop earlier than planned, the Jordan taking on enough fuel to finish the race.  This enabled him to move to sixth position behind Coulthard's McLaren, the first four places filled by the Ferrari and Williams duos.  Jacques Villeneuve's BAR Honda rose as high as 4th position thanks to a very aggressive 3-stop strategy which almost paid off, but on his final stop he dropped by Jenson Button's Renault which was chasing the Fisichella/Coulthard battle.

Fisichella managed to overhaul the McLaren when Coulthard made a small error just before the Rindt Curve, and for the last 15 laps of the race he was able to lap quicker than the Scottish driver by setting better times in the 2nd and 3rd sector, losing only two tenths on the first sector.  As a result Fisichella came home a superb 5th, and delighting himself in the process.

"It has been a very, very good day for e as I did not expect to score points.  But the most important thing is that thank God Takuma is already.  I made a good start and when the Satefy Car periods started we timed our pit stop perfectly to refuel to get to the end of the race.  Afterwards the car had good balance and grip and I didn't make any mistakes.  When I was behind the McLaren it was quicker on the straights but I was confident on the corners and then David drove on an oily patch and I had my chance to take fifth place.  It felt fantastic when I crossed the line and I would like to say thank you to the team, especially because we made the right pit stop decision."

For Eddie Jordan the result of the race was bitter sweet, happiness at Fisichella's result balanced by concern for Takuma Sato.

"I never thought we would have scored points today and I have mixed emotions.  Takuma's accident was horrible and it took my mind away a little until I had spoken to Professor Watkins and know that he was ok.  Giancarlo drove like a champion and the team's pit stop strategy worked out perfectly.  This result has changed the morale in the team and for everyone at the track and at our headquarters this is just reward for all our recent efforts."