Michael Schumacher won from pole in a race marred by a fatal accident that killed marshal Graham Beveridge, the second marshal to die in a Formula One event.
Key Facts
- Winner
- Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
- Race laps
- 58
- Attendance
- 128,500 people
- Schumacher career wins
- 45th career victory
- Fatal incident
- Marshal Graham Beveridge killed by loose wheel
- Safety car deployment
- Deployed for 11 laps after lap-5 crash
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On lap five, a collision between Ralf Schumacher's Williams and Jacques Villeneuve's BAR car sent a detached right-rear wheel flying into the spectator marshal area at Albert Park Circuit. Graham Beveridge was struck in the chest, suffering fatal injuries. The incident required immediate deployment of the safety car.
Michael Schumacher led from pole position throughout the 58-lap 2001 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne. Interrupted by an 11-lap safety car period following the fatal marshal incident, the race resumed and Schumacher briefly ceded the lead to Coulthard during pit stops before reclaiming it to win, with Coulthard second and Rubens Barrichello third.
Beveridge's death was the second marshal fatality in Formula One within six months, prompting an FIA investigation that ruled it a 'freak accident,' while a coroner's report found the Australian Grand Prix Corporation responsible and the accident avoidable. Schumacher led the World Drivers' Championship with ten points, and Ferrari topped the Constructors' Championship with fourteen.
Result
at Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Australia