Sunday August 19th, 2001

Church bells rang in Maranello on Sunday to celebrate Michael Schumacher's second Formula One drivers' Championship for Ferrari, who have their headquarters in the town.

Schumacher's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix earned him his fourth world drivers' crown and a record-equalling 51st career victory. Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello was second and the one-two finish ensured Ferrari their third Constructors' title in a row.

A procession of flashy Ferrari road cars made their way slowly through the town, outside Bologna, followed by thousands of screaming, flag-waving and horn-blowing fans. A group of young men knelt down in front of a Testarossa and a Ferrari 328 and paid light-hearted homage.

Schumacher was Ferrari's first back-to-back title winner since the late Italian Alberto Ascari in 1953.

But despite Schumacher's domination of the Drivers' Championship this season, with seven wins and four second places, the red Ferrari t-shirts reading "World Champions" being handed out to fans were leftovers from last year rather than hot off the press.

Published at 18:32:21 GMT

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