Michael Schumacher's 52nd career win surpassed Alain Prost's all-time Formula One victories record, a mark that stood until Lewis Hamilton broke it in 2020.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
- Spectators
- 85,000
- Race distance
- 36 laps (restarted race)
- Schumacher career wins record
- 52nd victory, surpassing Alain Prost
- Championship round
- 14th of 2001 Formula One season
- Burti hospitalisation
- Facial bruising and concussion until 10 September
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Juan Pablo Montoya claimed pole position but stalled on the grid, forfeiting it. On lap five, a serious accident between Eddie Irvine's Jaguar and Luciano Burti's Prost car forced race officials to stop and declare the original race null and void, requiring a full restart over a revised distance of 36 laps.
The restarted 2001 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps was dominated by Michael Schumacher, who led every lap to claim his eighth win of the season. David Coulthard finished second for McLaren and Giancarlo Fisichella third for Benetton, marking the final podium for the Benetton team in Formula One.
Schumacher's 52nd career victory broke Alain Prost's all-time wins record. Burti's crash prompted improvements in helmet safety. In the championship standings, Coulthard extended his advantage over Barrichello, while McLaren widened their gap over Williams in the Constructors' Championship with three rounds remaining.
Result
at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Francorchamps, Belgium