Barichello Wins Italian Grand Prix

The Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello drove to victory at Monza for the Brazilian’s first win of the season. World champion, Michael Schumacher also showed the power of the Ferrari engine when he recovered from a spin earlier in the race and took second place, making the Italian Grand prix the seventh time that Ferrari drivers occupied first and second place on the podium.

British BAR Honda driver, Jenson Button took third with McLaren’s David Coulthard finishing in sixth place. Button had been in control in the middle of the race, but was simply out-powered by the Ferrari drivers.

Rubens Barichello, opted to start on intermediate Bridgestone tyres after heavy rain had left the track in a damp condition. Schumacher paid the price for selecting the faster, dry tyres when he spun and found himself slipping all the way back to 15th position. The race winner also surrendered some of his advantage on the fifth lap when he entered the pits to switch to dry tyres.

During the Monza meeting, the tyre problems of the Belgian Grand Prix were conspicuous by their absence.