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Posted By	Discussion Topic: Michael Schumacher captured his fifth Belgian GP
NYR2119935	posted on 09-02-2001 @ 4:46 PM
Psychopath Registered: May. 00	http://espn.go.com/rpm/f1/2001/0902/1247060.html Schumacher passes Prost for titles Associated Press SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium -- Michael Schumacher became the winningest driver in Formula One history Sunday, easily capturing a tumultuous Belgian Grand Prix for his 52nd victory. Schumacher, who clinched his fourth world championship two weeks ago, had been tied with France's Alain Prost with 51 career wins. "Actually I'm very delighted about this," Schumacher said. "But I will be much more delighted sitting one day on a sofa, retired with a cigar and a beer, to think about it." The German, riding a Ferrari, finished ahead of David Coulthard in a McLaren Mercedes and Giancarlo Fisichella in a Benetton Renault. "We have good reasons to celebrate," Schumacher said. "The way it went, it was a perfect race." Schumacher tied the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna with a record five victories at the Belgian Grand Prix. And his eighth win this year kept him on course to break the season record of nine victories he shares with Britain's Nigel Mansell. Three races remain in the season. Schumacher extended his lead in the standings to 104-57 over Coulthard. "We keep winning, even after the world championship is finished," Schumacher said. Next year, the 32-year-old driver will go for a fifth world crown, trying to equal to the mark of Argentina's Juan Manuel Fangio. Schumacher was in command almost from start to finish during the two-stop race. He was timed in the combined 40 laps around the 4.329-mile circuit in 1 hour, 15 minutes, 31.935 seconds. He was 10.098 seconds ahead of Coulthard. In an often chaotic race involving two starts and plenty of spills, Brazil's Luciano Burti crashed early at about 180 mph. His Prost-Acer car smacked into the tires and side railing after a collision with Britain's Eddie Irvine. He was taken to a hospital with a concussion after the race was stopped for a half hour, forcing a restart. "The accident gives the victory a bitter aftertaste," Schumacher said. Prerace favorites Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher both stalled at the starting grid and had to start from the back in their Williams BMWs. Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen, both in McLaren Mercedes, started too far back on the grid and never challenged. Hakkinen finished fourth. Schumacher's Ferrari teammate, Rubens Barrichello, quickly fell back into fifth, behind the McLarens, before going off the track and losing his front wing. In a battle for second place, Fisichella held off Coulthard until the 28th lap. Schumacher was still 31 seconds ahead though and Coulthard was racing for second. "Second place was the best we could hope for," Coulthard said. On the first start, Montoya stalled in the pole position and had to start from the back of the grid. Ralf Schumacher got to the first hairpin ahead of his brother, but the world champion took over on the first long straightaway. Then Burti crashed on the fourth lap, forcing the restart. After 10 laps of a race reduced to 36 from 44, Schumacher led by 20 seconds when he came in for new tires, briefly handing the lead to Fisichella. He was in control when the Italian went for fresh tires one lap later. Schumacher slowed during the last few laps to reduce the chance of accident. Only 13 of the 22 starters finished. CART Taco Bell Ice Hockey MetallicA

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