Michael Schumacher Was Left Wide Eyed After the “2 Most Famous Points in the History of F1” Despite Being Used to Crazy Fan Moments
Follow Us
In 2019, fans voted the 2002 edition of the Australian GP as the best the land down under has offered F1. Given the choice between 1996, 1997, and 2002, fans gave 49% votes to the race from the 2002 season opener. Not many can argue with the verdict as the Grand Prix turned out to be such a thrilling affair that it even caught the great Michael Schumacher by surprise.
Local boy Mark Webber made his debut with Minardi. Team boss Paul Stoddart was just happy that both his drivers qualified for the race day. However, as the race started and chaos took over, things got a lot spicier. Ralf Schumacher took off into the air after slamming into the back of Rubens Barrichello. The duo took out 6 more drivers after causing a chaotic pile-up. The incident and 6 more mechanical failure-induced DNFs gave Webber a golden chance at scoring points and he took it with both hands. Australian fans went into a frenzy as they got a new hero. Back then, finishing 5th was worth only 2 points, but boy did they celebrate those 2 points.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Stoddart remembers his conversation with Michael when he invited him and Webber to the Ferrari garage for a party. In a recent episode of Beyond The Grid Podcast, he recalled Michael as saying, “When I won the race, I went up on the podium and yes, there’s hundreds, maybe a thousand people in front of me. I look left down the pit lane and there were tens of thousands of people down the end with you Mark’.”
“And of course, not only is it the most famous 2 points in the history of Formula 1, but it is the only time there’s ever been two podiums in Formula 1,” Paul added.
That year, Schumacher scored the biggest win margin for Ferrari at the Spanish GP. Charles Leclerc scored the second-best win that caught everyone by surprise last year.
Charles Leclerc once registered his name on a prestigious list with Michael Schumacher
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Red Bull wrapped both championship titles pretty early last year. While Max Verstappen won the drivers’ trophy 5 races before the finale, Red Bull got the constructors’ in the next race. Given their dominant run, not many remembered what an abysmal start the Austrian team had. Charles Leclerc made the most of the bad start at the season opener in Australia.
Leclerc in Australia, just like Schumacher in the 2002 Spanish GP, scored a grand slam. While Michael finished the race with a gap of 35.629 seconds between him and the P2 holder, Charles finished 2nd with a gap of 20.524 seconds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
Adrian Newey’s Manager Reveals Shocking Retirement Plan After Red Bull Exit
May 01, 2024 01:46 PM EDT
“Uncle” Lando Norris Shares Heartwarming Moment With Max Verstappen’s GF’s Daughter Penelope
April 29, 2024 05:58 PM EDT
Bad News for Carlos Sainz as Audi Boss Delivers Disappointing News for 2025 Car
April 29, 2024 11:02 AM EDT
Lewis Hamilton Turns New York’s Fifth Avenue into an Improvised Street Circuit in Latest Stunt Ahead of Miami GP
April 30, 2024 03:56 PM EDT
Lando Norris Faces Brutal Injury After Party With Martin Garrix Goes Wrong Ahead of Miami GP
April 27, 2024 07:33 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Watch This Story: Inside Michael Schumacher’s Car Collection
Do you think the upcoming Australian GP can generate enough excitement to surpass the 2002 edition in the excitement quotient?
Edited by:
Akash Pandhare