The Grand Prix of Canada has been extended on the ILE Notre-Dame since 1978. The most legendary Montreal race from a German perspective took place on June 10, 2001 when a brother couple landed at the top in the history of Formula 1 for the first time.
The reigning world champion and big brother Michael Schumacher only remained the role of the first congratulator on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on this race Sunday. With over 20 seconds behind the Formula 1 superstar at the Grand Prix of Canada in 2001 only saw the target flag in 2001 after winning four of the first seven seasonal races.
As a radiant winner in Montreal, the younger Schumacher brother Ralf was celebrated, who had a real hussar ride on this summer day.
The Williams-BMW of German was more strong than ever in the year 2001. The high-speed lines in particular came towards the racing car of the British-German team, which is tirely with Michelin-Pneus. So also the 4.361 kilometer circuit on the Île Notre-Dame with its elongated casino straight before start and finish.
The brother duel, which had been expected with great excitement, had announced itself for months this year. However, the Formula 1 fans were repeatedly disappointed because Ralf Schumacher in particular had to deal with some performance problems. Despite the competitiveness of his Williams-BMW, he had failed five times in the first seven races and had survived several accidents unscathed.
Michael and Ralf Schumacher pull away from the competition
In Montreal there was finally the big showdown between the now three -time world champion Michael and challenger Ralf. Already in qualifying on Saturday the Schumacher brothers dominated, frying together in the first series.
Michael Schumacher was able to defend his pole position at the start and turned into the first harassment in front of Ralf. A high -tensioning duel quickly developed between the two, which was supposed to shape the entire racing process.
Michael and Ralf went round by round at the top, the assembled competition for the McLaren Mercedes drivers Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard had nothing to order that day.
For 44 rounds, the younger Schumacher put his brother practically directly in the rear, but without being able to start the decisive maneuver.
The decision about the racing victory had to be made in the pit lane. In the 45th of 69 rounds, Michael Schumacher was the first and only stop. Since it was still refueled in 2001, the Ferrari star came back to the slopes with significantly more weight than his brother.
Ralf Schumacher now sensed his great chance to take the decisive lead for a place of space at the top in his easier Williams BMW. And indeed: the then 25-year-old flew around the course for four rounds, making the urgently needed seconds on his six-year-old brother.
Ralf Schumacher takes the lead after pit stops
After his fuel stop, Ralf returned to the route with almost four seconds lead and thus brought the decision. In the last 18 racers, Michael Schumacher could no longer follow the little brother’s speed and reached the finish line as a defeated second.
Three years after Michael was the first and third in Monza Formula 1 story as the first brother pair on the podium, the two of them actually went one better.
The later record world champion was delighted with his brother, both cheered on the winner’s podium together with the third Mika Häkkinen.
“I think mom and dad are very proud of us,” said Michael Schumacher afterwards about the first double victory of two brothers in the premier class of motorsport.