2002 Malaysian Grand Prix
The 2002 Malaysian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 17 March 2002 at the Sepang International Circuit and was the second round of the 2002 Formula One season. The Grand Prix is notable for the first lap collision between Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya and Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, which led to Montoya being given a drive-through penalty. This decision led to much criticism for the Malaysian stewards, with Schumacher commenting that the decision was "overly harsh" on Montoya.
| 2002 Malaysian Grand Prix | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Race 2 of 17 in the 2002 Formula One World Championship
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| Race details | |||||
| Date | 17 March 2002 | ||||
| Official name | IV Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix | ||||
| Location |
Sepang International Circuit Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia | ||||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||||
| Course length | 5.543 km (3.444 miles) | ||||
| Distance | 56 laps, 310.408 km (192.879 miles) | ||||
| Weather | Partially cloudy, hot, and dry | ||||
| Attendance | 92,000 (Weekend) | ||||
| Pole position | |||||
| Driver | Ferrari | ||||
| Time | 1:35.266 | ||||
| Fastest lap | |||||
| Driver | Juan Pablo Montoya | Williams-BMW | |||
| Time | 1:38.049 on lap 38 | ||||
| Podium | |||||
| First | Williams-BMW | ||||
| Second | Williams-BMW | ||||
| Third | Ferrari | ||||
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Lap leaders | |||||
The Grand Prix was won by the Williams-BMW of German Ralf Schumacher, who commented that it was "almost a perfect race". He was followed by teammate Montoya, and following them in third was Ralf's brother, Michael Schumacher. The race was followed by a decision by the FIA to give stewards more powers over the punishments of drivers who are involved in incidents which are deemed "avoidable". Also it would be Williams' only victory (and double) of the season, and one of only two races of the season that Ferrari failed to win (the other being the Monaco Grand Prix, won by McLaren's David Coulthard).