Schumacher pushes Montoya off to win

F1 Grand Prix, GP San Marino, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari

Once again, the reigning world champion Michael Schumacher drove to a domintating Grand Prix, joined on the podium by Jenson Button who had a vastly better pace than the other Michelin drivers, and Juan Pablo Montoya, who was very unhappy with the way Schumacher raced.

As the light went green, it was clear that Button launched as a rocket, and managed to keep out of the tumult. After two laps there was a gap of 4s between him and the rest.

The runners behind him were figthing some spectacular fights, beginning with David Coulthard who lost his front wing by touching a Sauber. Then there was a close fight between Schumacher in second place, and Montoya. The latter tried the outside of a the hairpin to pass the Ferrari, but the world champion possibly deliberately moved to the outside, and bumped montoya onto the grass. Juan later explained he would be very surprised if Schumacher would get away with that. Montoya was able to continue his race, bit immidiately had to hold of his team-mate Ralf, who on his turn lost his 4th place to Takuma Sato.

Fernando Alonso finished fourth in his Renault, but it wasn’t with out controversy. Late in the race the young Spaniard was closing in on the Williams’ of Ralf Schumacher when the two touched wheels sending Ralf into a spin and down to seventh place.

Renault team-mate Jarno Trulli had his hands full with Rubens Barrichello for most of the race, but was able to hold of the red Ferrari for fifth position.

The last remaining point went to none other than McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen. The Finnish driver started at the back of the field after aborting his final qualifying lap to change his Mercedes-Benz engine overnight.