MONZA (Italy), Sept 15: Brazilian Rubens Barrichello led Michael Schumacher to a runaway one-two win before a red sea of Ferrari fans in their home Italian Grand Prix Sunday.
An afternoon that had promised to belong to Williams and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya turned into another day of Ferrari domination as Barrichello crossed the line 0.2 of a second ahead of Schumacher for his third win of the season.
A tide of flag waving, flare-brandishing fans flooded the pit straight to acclaim their heroes and pay tribute in a season that has seen 13 Ferrari wins in 15 races.
Briton Eddie Irvine, a former Ferrari favourite and honorary Milanese, put the icing on the cake for the local ‘tifosi’ with an unexpected third place for Jaguar.
Italian Jarno Trulli produced more cheers with fourth place for Renault, despite starting from the back of the grid after a delay in leaving for the formation lap.
British team mate Jenson Button was fifth and Frenchman Olivier Panis sixth for British American Racing.
Everything went according to plan for Ferrari, celebrating their fourth constructors’ title in a row and Schumacher’s record-equalling fifth drivers’ crown before their home supporters.
Schumacher was also able to add the all-time points scoring record to his season’s achievements, breaking his own record of 122 to take his tally to 128.
Ferrari have now also finished the last 51 races on the podium and Schumacher, winner of a record 10 races, has now run up 17 podiums in succession.
They have also chalked up seven one-two finishes in 2003.
But the last European race of the season turned into a major disappointment for Williams.
Montoya, starting on pole for the seventh time this season after recording the fastest qualifying lap in Formula One history on Saturday, lasted 34 laps before retiring with front suspension problems while in third place.
Team mate Ralf Schumacher, who seized the lead controversially at the first corner after missing the chicane, retired on lap five when his engine blew after being ordered to let Montoya through.
The Colombian led for less than a lap and could do nothing to stop the red Ferraris sweeping past as the crowd stood and roared their delight.
McLaren had a grim day, David Coulthard running at the back of the field after pitting at the end of the first lap for a new nose cone.
While he worked his way back up through the field, Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen ran in fourth place until his Mercedes engine blew on lap 30.
Results (race distance: 53 laps, 306.719 kms):
1. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari one hour 16 minutes 19.982 seconds (average speed 241.090 kph); 2. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:16:20.237; 3. Eddie Irvine (Britain) Jaguar 1:17:12.561; 4. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Renault 1:17:18.201; 5. Jenson Button (Britain) Renault 1:17:27.752; 6. Olivier Panis (France) BAR 1:17:28.473; 7. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 1:17:29.030; 8. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Jordan 1:17:30.874; 9. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) BAR 1:17:41.051; 10. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Sauber 1:17:42.028; 11. Mika Salo (Finland) Toyota 1 lap behind; 12. Takuma Sato (Japan) Jordan 1 lap; 13. Alex Yoong (Malaysia) Minardi 6 laps.
Not classified (did not finish):
Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams 33 laps completed; Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren 29; Mark Webber (Australia) Minardi 20; Felipe Massa (Brazil) Sauber 16; Pedro de la Rosa (Spain) Jaguar 15; Allan McNish (Britain) Toyota 13; Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams 4.
Fastest lap: Barrichello 1:23.657, lap 15.—Reuters