Complete calendar with 17 races
The 2001 Formula 1 season witnessed Michael Schumacher and Ferrari reach new heights of dominance, as the German maestro claimed his fourth World Championship and second consecutive title with the Scuderia in utterly commanding fashion. Schumacher wrapped up the championship with four races still remaining - the earliest title clinch since Nigel Mansell in 1992 - cementing Ferrari's position as the sport's dominant force and establishing himself as the driver to beat.
Schumacher's superiority was staggering. He won nine of the seventeen races and finished on the podium in every race except one retirement at the European Grand Prix. His championship-clinching victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August came after a masterful wet-weather display, crossing the line with a commanding 58-point advantage over the season's runner-up. The Ferrari F2001, an evolution of the previous year's championship-winning car, proved to be the most complete package on the grid with exceptional reliability, aerodynamic efficiency, and Bridgestone tire integration.
The 2001 season opened with tragedy at the Australian Grand Prix when a marshal was killed in a crash involving Jacques Villeneuve and Ralf Schumacher, casting a somber shadow over the season opener. Schumacher honored the marshal by winning the race, beginning his march toward the title. His season highlights included dominant victories at Imola, Monaco, and Spa-Francorchamps, where he demonstrated the full spectrum of his abilities from street circuit precision to high-speed racecraft.
McLaren-Mercedes provided the only serious resistance but fell well short of mounting a genuine title challenge. David Coulthard won four races - including the Brazilian and Austrian Grands Prix - and finished second in the championship, but inconsistency and mechanical failures prevented him from sustaining pressure on Schumacher. Mika Häkkinen, the two-time champion who had battled Schumacher so fiercely in previous years, managed just two victories at Silverstone and Indianapolis before announcing his sabbatical from the sport that would become permanent retirement.
Rubens Barrichello cemented his role as the consummate number two driver at Ferrari, winning at the German Grand Prix and providing crucial support throughout the season. His podium finishes helped Ferrari secure their third consecutive Constructors' Championship by a massive 77-point margin over McLaren. The Brazilian's willingness to play the supporting role would become more controversial in subsequent seasons, but in 2001 it proved effective in maximizing Ferrari's points haul.
Williams-BMW emerged as a growing threat, with Ralf Schumacher claiming four victories including back-to-back wins at Imola and Barcelona, and a spectacular home victory at Hockenheim. The Grove-based team's BMW-powered FW23 demonstrated that the partnership between the British constructor and German engine manufacturer was bearing fruit. Juan Pablo Montoya, the IndyCar champion making his F1 debut, announced his arrival with an audacious pole position at Monza and a stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix, showcasing the fearless attacking style that would define his career.
The season witnessed significant technical developments, including increased emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency and the refinement of launch control systems. Several teams struggled to adapt to new regulations, while Ferrari's continuous development approach allowed them to maintain their advantage. BAR-Honda showed improvement with Jacques Villeneuve scoring regular points, while Benetton (soon to become Renault) endured a difficult transition year.
Schumacher's fourth world title moved him within one championship of Juan Manuel Fangio's legendary record of five titles, a mark that had stood for over four decades. His 53-point winning margin and clinical demolition of the field established Ferrari's F2001 as one of the most dominant cars in Formula 1 history. The season represented the full flowering of the Ferrari-Schumacher partnership, with the combination of the driver's genius and the team's technical excellence creating an almost unbeatable force that would continue to dominate for years to come.