Schumachergate (Coulthard's Story)
This is a different Schumachergate focusing on David Coulthard taking Michael Schumacher's place instead after surprisingly winning the last five races of the season to clinch the 2000 title. Schumacher is still in trouble with the FIA for his cheating antics and is banned from the sport for life.
2001[edit | edit source]
After Schumacher was banned for life from F1 for cheating his way to the 1994 championship and very nearly doing it again in 1997, new champion Coulthard took the German's seat at Ferrari alongside Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. It was a all-Finland line-up at McLaren as debutant Kimi Räikkönen took Coulthard's place thus being partnered with two-time champion Mika Häkkinen, after Raikkonen was originally speculated to drive at Sauber alongside Nick Heidfeld.
That vacated Sauber drive was eventually taken by Brazilian driver Enrique Bernoldi, also an F1 debutant. This allowed Pedro de la Rosa to stay for another year at Arrows after rumours that Bernoldi would sign for the team.
Race 1: Australia[edit | edit source]
Coulthard took pole position on his Ferrari debut ahead of Häkkinen's McLaren. Good