It happened today – 21 July

[Rob]

On 21st July 2002, Michael Schumacher won the French Grand Prix at the Magny-Cours circuit. The victory was enough to give the German driver his fifth world title, the third with Scuderia Ferrari.

To be honest, it was not exactly a thrilling contest, with Michael up the front right from the start at the wheel of the fantastic F2002, but it seemed his chances of victory had slipped away, when he was given a penalty for crossing the white line when exiting the pits after his stop. In the final stages, the German closed on race leader Kimi Raikkonen, but it didn’t seem as though he could worry the McLaren man, who looked to be heading for his first Formula 1 win. But with five laps to go, drama. At turn 5, Kimi braked on a patch of oil left there by McNish’s Toyota and ran wide, allowing Michael to slip through to retake the lead, which he then kept to the end. The win meant he was crowned champion with six races still to go: no one had ever managed to do it so early and the record still stands.

“Once in the lead, it was the start of the hardest laps of my life, because I realised I was doing it; it was never ending!” said Schumacher after the race. “I could feel a great weight on my shoulders, an incredible pressure. When I took the chequered flag, I felt an explosion of emotions, because I realised how much this win meant to me and how much I love this sport. All the titles are special to me, each one in a different way, just like with the wins: you never get used to it.”

Indeed the German champion never did get tired of it, going on to win a further two titles and 30 Grands Prix…

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/hap...oday-21st-july

[wisepie]

Hey Rob, that seems like an age ago. And to be truthful, it didn't make the championship very interesting with such dominance, even though RB seem to be close to equalling it nowadays. Never thought I'd ask for more of the same, but I do now!! Mai dare sulla speranza, indeed!

[Katu]

i do remember that day.. well indeed it doesn't make it exciting at all, but after all the suffering we've had with last races of the seaon for last few years, one season like that would be very warmly welcomed

[fratelliferrari]

That was a fantastic day for me! I know I was on holiday in France and watched the race on TV at the camping site and I was the only one watching because it was 30+ Degrees Celcius but I had to see the race!