The 2001 Teams Review

By Ewan Tytler, USA
Atlas F1 Magazine Writer

While the battle for the 2001 Constructors' Championship title was virtually sealed at the start of the season, the ten other teams still had to fight to the bitter end. Some won, some lost; progress is always relative. Ewan Tyler evaluates just how close the teams came to achieving the goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the season and the progress they made during the season

The 2001 season was more difficult for the Formula One teams than the 2000 season. The FIA introduced major changes in the technical regulations governing aerodynamics, with the aim of reducing speeds and increasing overtaking opportunities. These aerodynamic changes allowed Formula One cars to race closer together and made overtaking easier.

But improvements in tyre technology counteracted these aerodynamic changes on some circuits, and for the first time since the introduction of grooved tyres in 1998, new qualifying and race lap records were set at almost every circuit. The FIA also allowed the traction and launch-control systems to be reintroduced mid-season, at the Spanish Grand Prix. Many teams adapted well to these changes, while others found themselves stranded on the dummy grid or the starting grid.

The 2001 season included a competition between tyre manufacturers. Bridgestone scored 13 victories, 13 pole positions and 9 fastest race laps, while Michelin made significant progress, scoring 4 victories, 4 pole positions and 8 fastest race laps in their first season back in Formula One.


Ferrari                       1st, 179 Points
9 Wins, 3 Fastest Laps, 11 Pole Positions, 6 DNFs

Chassis: Ferrari F2001. Engine: Ferrari 050. Tyres: Bridgestone.
Team Principal: Jean Todt. Technical Director: Ross Brawn. Chief Designer: Rory Byrne.


McLaren                 2nd, 102 Points
4 Wins, 6 Fastest Laps, 2 Pole Positions, 12 DNFs

Chassis: McLaren MP4/16. Engine: Ilmor-Mercedes-Benz FO110K V10. Tyres: Bridgestone.
Team Principal: Ron Dennis. Technical Director: Adrian Newey. Chief Designer: Neil Oatley.


Williams                 3rd, 80 Points
4 Wins, 8 Fastest Laps, 4 Pole Positions, 18 DNFs

Chassis: Williams FW23/FW23B. Engine: BMW. Tyres: Michelin.
Team Principal: Sir Frank Williams. Technical Director: Patrick Head. Chief Designer: Gavin Fisher.


Sauber                 4th, 21 Points
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 13 DNFs

Chassis: Sauber C20. Engine: Petronas 01A (Ferrari 049). Tyres: Bridgestone.
Team Principal: Peter Sauber. Technical Director: Willy Rampf. Chief Designer: Sergio Rinland.


Jordan                 5th, 19 Points
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 16 DNFs

Chassis: Jordan EJ11. Engine: Honda RA001E. Tyres: Bridgestone.
Team Principal: Eddie Jordan. Technical Director: Eghbal Hamidy. Chief Designer: John McQuilliam.


BAR                       6th, 17 Points
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 12 DNFs

Chassis: BAR 003. Engine: Honda RA001E. Tyres: Bridgestone.
Team Principal: Craig Pollock. Technical Director: Malcolm Oastler. Development Director: Adrian Reynard.


Benetton                 7th, 10 Points
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 11 DNFs

Chassis: Benetton B201. Engine: Renault. Tyres: Michelin.
Team Principal: Flavio Briatore. Technical Director: Mike Gascoyne. Chief Designer: Timothy Densham.


Jaguar                 8th, 9 Points
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 18 DNFs

Chassis: Jaguar R2. Engine: Cosworth CR3. Tyres: Michelin.
Team Principal: Bobby Rahal/Niki Lauda. Technical Director: Steve Nichols. Chief Designer: John Russell.


Prost                 9th, 4 Points
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 11 DNFs

Chassis: Prost AP04. Engine: Acer (Ferrari 049). Tyres: Michelin.
Team Principal: Alain Prost. Managing Director: Joan Villadelprat. Technical Director: Henri Durand.


Arrows                 10th, 1 Point
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 15 DNFs

Chassis: Arrows A22. Engine: Asiatech. Tyres: Bridgestone.
Team Principal: Tom Walkinshaw. Technical Director: Mike Coughlan.


Minardi                 11th, 0 Points
0 Wins, 0 Fastest Laps, 0 Pole Positions, 17 DNFs, 1 DNQ

Chassis: Minardi PS1. Engine: European (Cosworth). Tyres: Michelin.
Team Principal: Paul Stoddart. Technical Director: Gustav Brunner (left). Chief Designer: Gabriele Tredozi.