Michael Schumacher clinched the 2001 Formula One Drivers' Championship and equalled Alain Prost's all-time record of 51 career victories.
Key Facts
- Race laps
- 77
- Attendance
- 110,000 spectators
- Schumacher career victories
- 51
- Championship lead over Coulthard
- 37 points
- Race in 2001 season
- 13th of the season
- Ferrari Constructors' titles
- 11th overall, 3rd consecutive
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Entering the Hungarian Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher led the Drivers' Championship by 37 points over David Coulthard, the only other driver still mathematically in contention. Ferrari also had an opportunity to secure the Constructors' Championship at the same race, making victory critical for both titles.
Schumacher started from pole position and led the 77-lap race at the Hungaroring. Teammate Rubens Barrichello used tactical blocking from lap 12 to delay Coulthard and extend Schumacher's lead. Schumacher held the lead through pit stops to win his seventh race of the season before 110,000 spectators, with Barrichello second and Coulthard third.
Schumacher's victory confirmed him as the 2001 World Drivers' Champion, as Coulthard could not overhaul his points total in the four remaining races. Barrichello's second place secured Ferrari's 11th Constructors' Championship and their third in succession. Schumacher's 51st career win equalled Alain Prost's all-time record.