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22-feb-2001
Race Results - British Grand Prix 2000 Season David Coulthard won his second consecutive British Grand Prix today in at Silverstone. Victor of the 1999 race, Coultard won the race ahead of team mate Hakkinen.
McLaren's return to form with a one-two finish puts them second in the World Championship, seventeen points behind Ferrari. Michael Schumacher finished third, extending his lead in the drivers' championship. Ruben Barrichello, who lead for the first half of the race, was forced to retire on the 35th lap with a high pressure hydraulics problem.
After competitive performances all weekend, Benson and Hedges Jordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen was forced to retire from the British Grand Prix with a potentiometre problem in his gear box. Having started from the front row of the grid and gone on to lead for three laps, his race ended on lap 54 when he became stuck in sixth gear. Jarno Trulli came through the field from 11th to sixth place to win a point for the Benson and Hedges Jordan Mugen-Honda team which now lies equal fourth (with Benetton) in the World Championship.
“Overall, today was disappointing," said Jordan's Chief Executive, Eddie Jordan. "It was frustrating to see Heinz having to abandon his race after he had performed so well all weekend, qualified on the front row and then lead the race. Jarno coming through to win a point from 11th place was some compensation. Like Heinz, he drove a good race. His over-taking manouevre on Villeneuve was fantastic!”
Frentzen commented, This was a disappointing day for us – I had to retire from the race because I was stuck in sixth gear. We were competitive all weekend so it is frustrating to come away without points. We should have finished in the top four as our decision to drive an aggressive race by making two stops was working well to keep us up with McLaren and Ferrari. At least we know we can lead races and I think we will soon solve our reliability problems.”
“This was a tough race," added Jarno Trulli. "I had trouble with the gears for much of the race. But I was able to overtake Villeneuve and bring the car home in the points, which is a good result, especially since I started the race from 11th place. Every point counts for the team in what is going to be a tough championship battle, so I am very happy to have won that point today. We chose a one stop strategy to enable me to move up the field, and it worked perfectly. What I need in the future is better luck in the qualifying sessions so that I can race from higher up the grid.”
Williams had a successful day, with both drivers finishing in the points. Button finished 5th behind his team mate, producing a good show for the crowds at his first British Grand Prix.
Jaguar had less luck; Herbert and Irvine finished outside the points in 12th and 13th places respectively.
Jordan
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