Classic Austria- 2001

David Coulthard has won many famous races. The Scottish driver claimed a famous double at the British Grand Prix in 1999 and 2000, while his win Monaco in 2002 is amongst the best of his career.

But few people know that Coulthard was the driver who took the chequered flag in 2001, such was the magnitude of the drama behind him.

Ferrari was at the centre of it, in a race which helped to change the rules in Formula 1 for 10 years.

Coming into the race, Michael Schumacher was in dominant form. The German had won his third world championship the year before and was in the form of his life.

He led the title by eight points from Coulthard, in what was shaping up to be a two-horse race for the crown.

However, it was Williams who locked out the front row in qualifying, with Juan Pablo Montoya on pole ahead of Ralf Schumacher.

The pair got off to a good start and led from Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Coulthard.

But the safety car was immediately called as four cars stalled on the start line.

Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams BMW FW26

As the race progressed, Michael pressurised Montoya into an error and both went wide at Turn 3, allowing Barrichello to take the lead and Coulthard to slip into second.

However, the Brazilian couldn’t keep a rampant Coulthard behind and the McLaren man moved into the lead through the only round of pit-stops.

The Brit was on-course for victory, but he struggled towards the end of the race, allowing Barrichello to close him down.

However, Barrichello brought a revitalised Michael along with him and then Ferrari made a call which would come back to bite them.

They sent a radio message to Barrichello, ordering him to move aside and let Michael past.

The ex-Stewart driver did as he was told, and moved aside. Ferrari, thinking that they had got away with their cruel decision, did the same thing a year later. Barrichello moved aside for Schumacher in Austria, but this time he as in the lead.

He gave up a race victory and the team were heavily fined. Team orders were banned, and the team’s reputation was severely dented.

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