The 2001 Australian Grand Prix was the first of 17 rounds in the 2001 Formula One World Championship. It took place on March 4 at the 16-turn, 5.303 km (3.295 mi) Albert Park Circuit, a semi-permanent road course in Melbourne. The circuit offers drivers a low amount of grip due to the dust laid on it by road traffic all year round.
Juan Pablo Montoya, the 1999 Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) champion and 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner, joined Williams, partnering Ralf Schumacher. Enrique Bernoldi replaced Pedro de la Rosa at Arrows. Fernando Alonso was promoted from a test driver role to a race seat at Minardi. Kimi Räikkönen, the 2000 Formula Renault 2.0 UK champion, drove for Sauber alongside Nick Heidfeld.
Four practice sessions were held before the race: two one-hour sessions on Friday and two 45-minute sessions on Saturday. Michael Schumacher was fastest in the third session with a lap of 1 minute 28.134 seconds.
Saturday's one-hour qualifying session limited each driver to twelve laps, with the grid determined by their fastest lap. Michael Schumacher secured his fifth consecutive pole position, and the 33rd of his career, with a time of 1 minute 26.892 seconds.
The race, held before 128,500 spectators, began at 14:00 local time and covered 58 laps. Michael Schumacher made a strong getaway to lead into the first corner. A two-car accident on lap five involving Ralf Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve resulted in the death of spectator marshal Graham Beveridge, who was struck by Villeneuve's right-rear wheel.
Michael Schumacher finished first after 58 laps, achieving his fifth consecutive victory and 45th career win. Coulthard finished 1.717 seconds behind in second, with Barrichello a further 31 seconds adrift in third.
Out of respect for Graham Beveridge's death, the top three drivers refrained from spraying champagne on the podium. Michael Schumacher expressed the importance of ensuring he did not push too hard. Coulthard said he felt fortunate to finish second. Barrichello explained he did not battle Coulthard due to an understeer and was told by Ferrari's technical director, Ross Brawn, to slow towards the race's end.
The race was overshadowed by the death of spectator marshal Graham Beveridge. The race stewards investigated the crash and deemed it a "racing incident." A coronial inquest later concluded that the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) was responsible for Beveridge's death due to its failure to analyze risks to marshals.
Michael Schumacher led the World Drivers' Championship with ten points, followed by Coulthard with six, and Barrichello with four. In the World Constructors' Championship, Ferrari led with 14 points, eight points ahead of McLaren.
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