Juan Pablo Montoya claimed his maiden Formula One victory at Monza, becoming the first Colombian driver to win a Grand Prix.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams)
- Championship round
- 15th of 2001 Formula One World Championship
- Race length
- 53 laps laps
- Attendance
- 95,000–110,000 spectators
- Italian Grand Prix edition
- 72nd
- Points gap to Constructors' rival McLaren
- 8 points
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Montoya started from pole position and led early, but a tyre blister forced him through a chicane slowly on lap 9, allowing Barrichello to pass. Barrichello's Ferrari then led until a faulty refuelling rig during his first pit stop on lap 19 disrupted Ferrari's strategy, while Williams placed Montoya on a more efficient one-stop strategy.
The 2001 Italian Grand Prix was run over 53 laps at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza on 16 September 2001. Montoya regained the lead on lap 42 when Barrichello pitted for a second time, and although Barrichello closed the gap in the final laps, Montoya held on to win ahead of Barrichello and teammate Ralf Schumacher.
Montoya's victory was his first in Formula One and the first by a Colombian driver. He moved to fifth in the Drivers' Championship, while Barrichello's second place cut David Coulthard's advantage in the standings. Williams reduced McLaren's lead in the Constructors' Championship to eight points with two races remaining.