The USA Grand Prix. Round 16. 28th - 30th September Indianapolis, USA.

Weather Times (all times Local) Friday Sunny 11-21C Free Practice 1 Free Practice 2 11:00 - 12:00 13:00 - 14:00 Saturday Sunny 12-21C Free Practice 3 Free Practice 4 Qualifying 09:00 - 09:45 10:15 - 11:00 13:00 - 14:00 Sunday Partly Cloudy 10-20C Warm Up The Race 09:30 - 10:00 14:00

Laps - 73 Km per lap - 4.192 Race Km - 305.999

Race Preview

Hosting America’s first Grand Prix last year after a nine year absence, the new USGP circuit was built in the arena of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – a banked oval and home of the famous Indy 500. The original oval was built out of brick but now only a one yard strip of bricks remains on the start/finish line, the world-famous ‘brickyard’. The course starts on the oval’s main straight, but the Formula One circuit runs in the opposite direction with the usual first turn on the oval becoming that last turn. Following a tight first corner, the track then twists around a newly created infield with tight and slow corners, before cars blast around the last 11 degree banked corner of the oval where it’s foot to the floor for a full 20 seconds into the first corner, allowing the drivers some time to relax as no cornering is required. Jarno Trulli Jarno Trulli likes the circuit setup, where the fast banking section is offset by the slower infield track. “Racing at Indianapolis is a great experience – you’re racing on such a historic circuit in front of 200,000 fans who pack out the grandstands,” he the Italian ace commented. “The track is quite complex with the very long and fast straight, followed by the infield which is quite slow and twisty so it’s a challenge to find an ideal set-up. The track surface is built for Formula One, but it’s great that the circuit still displays its history with the famous yard of bricks on the start/finish line. I’m hoping for an incident free race as I would like to make it to the finish at Indianapolis. I had to retire from last year’s race after Button hit me, causing a mechanical problem with my car.” Eddie Jordan has happy memories of the last year’s Indianapolis race, where ex-Jordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen got on the podium. “Last year’s USGP at Indianapolis was a fabulous event and I’m sure it will be another great spectacle this year,” he said. “There are varying opinions as to whether the F1 teams should be racing at Indianapolis following the tragic events in the States two weeks ago, but the American fans are keen to welcome Formula One this coming weekend and it is our belief at Jordan that the decision to race is absolutely correct. Racing in the US has an extra special meaning for Jordan because of the large Irish community resident in the States. We always get an extra special welcome as a result and of course, Jordan’s first ever GP took place in America (Phoenix 1991) so this is another reason why we love returning to race there.” It will be a special race for Jean Alesi as he is celebrating his 200th Grand Prix the weekend, an incredibly impressive number of race starts bettered only by four drivers - Patrese (256), Berger (210), De Cesaris (208) and Piquet (204). Jean Alesi “The last twelve years have gone so quickly, but I feel an incredible sense of achievement to have made it to my 200th Grand Prix,” commented Alesi. “There are so many things that have happened over this time, making it impossible to sum up my Formula One memories in just a few words – a book wouldn’t be enough! I think about how many times I have lined up on the grid, how many people I have met and the amazing times I have experienced, but mostly, I am so thankful that I have remained safe during my career as I have unfortunately witnessed some very sad accidents on the track.” He continued, “Indianapolis is a great place to celebrate my 200th Grand Prix as it’s such a fantastic motorsport name steeped in racing history. It would be my dream to be on the podium there for this race. With the recent events in the United States however, a real celebration for my 200th GP race is relatively unimportant as nobody feels like celebrating. America is keen to welcome Formula One though so I am looking forward to Indianapolis where we hope to have a great race and bring enjoyment to our American fans. Eddie (Jordan) launched me into Formula One by arranging my drive with Tyrrell in 1989, and since then I have driven for all the teams I wanted to drive for. I still have the same passion for the sport that I had in the beginning and I believe this is one of the reasons I have survived so long in this sport – you have to give 100% otherwise you may as well give up. Being back with Jordan now, as I approach the end of F1 career in the next few years, is almost a dream come true. I would like to finish my career by racing for Jordan as I feel I have come full circle.”

2000 Result Pos. Driver Team Time Qualification Highlights 1. M Schumacher Ferrari 1:14.266 2. Coulthard McLaren 1:14.392 3. Hakkinen McLaren 1:14.428 4. Barrichello Ferrari 1:14.600 5. Trulli Jordan 1:15.006 6. Button Williams 1:15.017 7. Frentzen Jordan 1:15.067 Race Result 1. M Schumacher Ferrari 1:36'30.883 2. Barrichello Ferrari +12.118 3. Frentzen Jordan +17.368 4. Villeneuve BAR +17.936 5. Coulthard McLaren +28.813 6. Zonta BAR +51.694 Lap 0 Trulli Jordan Collision

Previous Results in the USA Year Positions Points 2000 Third 4 1991 No Points 0

The Current 2001 Standings