rjbetty
30th August 2012, 00:54
Introducing the sequel to the disastrous 100th GPs thread:
200th GPs: Bicentennial Men
So a while back, it was discovered that many drivers suffered cr@pper than usual weekends which coincided with their 100th GPs. This time we find out how a much smaller group who survived to 200 races got on...
N.B. I really don't know whether it counts as race entries or actual starts taken. Officially it seems to be starts taken so I'll try and stick to this.
1.Andrea de Cesaris - 1994 Canadian GP: Andrea's first race replacing Wendlinger at Sauber ended on lap 24 with oil pressure failure. He qualified a good 14th, 4 places and +0.717 sec off Frentzen, improving from being +1.745 off in Friday qual.
2.Giancarlo Fisichella - 2009 Monaco GP: This one was rather better. Hounded Bourdais for 8th place. Still claimed Force India's best ever result at the time. A great weekend for Fisi.
3.Jenson Button - 2011 Hungarian GP: The most successful one of all so far. A brilliant win in changeable conditions was the perfect way to celebrate.
4.Michael Schumacher - 2004 Spanish GP: If Spa is really Michael's 300th GP (and btw, wasn't Rubens' 300th also at Spa?), then the 200th is the Spanish GP in 2004 which Michael won (surprise!) although he managed very well with a cracked exhaust that could have put him out.
But if the DNS at Magny-Cours 1996 doesn't count, the 200th is the 2004 Monaco GP where Michael collided with Montoya in the tunnel under the safety car to record his only DNF of the season.
5.Nelson Piquet - Italian GP 1991: Nelson's close friend and team-mate at Benetton, Roberto Moreno, was kicked out before this race to make room for a rookie. This rookie guy (who'd made his debut for Jordan at the previous race) completely showed Nelson up from this point onwards, resulting in Nelson's retirement at the end of the season... Piquet still came 6th for 1pt.
6.Jean Alesi - 2001 United States GP: One of the drivers with the highest legendary status/results ratio (mostly through no fault of his own, apart from one team choice) undertook his 200th GP at this poignant race, just one before his farewell weekend in Suzuka. Jean was elevated into the points following team-mate Trulli's disqualification from a strong 4th place (Jarno always went very well at Indy). However he lost it again when Trulli was re-instated after the season had finished. Nevertheless, it was probably Alesi's strongest drive during his 5-race sojourn at Jordan.
7.Rubens Barrichello: 2005 Malaysian GP: Aided by softer tyres Rubens outqualified Michael very well (although he was still only 12th!). That tyre decision came back to bite him in the race however as while Schumacher battled to protect his 7th place from Christian Klien, Rubens retired altogether - due to excessive tyre wear!
That's enough for now - I need a rest!
200th GPs: Bicentennial Men
So a while back, it was discovered that many drivers suffered cr@pper than usual weekends which coincided with their 100th GPs. This time we find out how a much smaller group who survived to 200 races got on...
N.B. I really don't know whether it counts as race entries or actual starts taken. Officially it seems to be starts taken so I'll try and stick to this.
1.Andrea de Cesaris - 1994 Canadian GP: Andrea's first race replacing Wendlinger at Sauber ended on lap 24 with oil pressure failure. He qualified a good 14th, 4 places and +0.717 sec off Frentzen, improving from being +1.745 off in Friday qual.
2.Giancarlo Fisichella - 2009 Monaco GP: This one was rather better. Hounded Bourdais for 8th place. Still claimed Force India's best ever result at the time. A great weekend for Fisi.
3.Jenson Button - 2011 Hungarian GP: The most successful one of all so far. A brilliant win in changeable conditions was the perfect way to celebrate.
4.Michael Schumacher - 2004 Spanish GP: If Spa is really Michael's 300th GP (and btw, wasn't Rubens' 300th also at Spa?), then the 200th is the Spanish GP in 2004 which Michael won (surprise!) although he managed very well with a cracked exhaust that could have put him out.
But if the DNS at Magny-Cours 1996 doesn't count, the 200th is the 2004 Monaco GP where Michael collided with Montoya in the tunnel under the safety car to record his only DNF of the season.
5.Nelson Piquet - Italian GP 1991: Nelson's close friend and team-mate at Benetton, Roberto Moreno, was kicked out before this race to make room for a rookie. This rookie guy (who'd made his debut for Jordan at the previous race) completely showed Nelson up from this point onwards, resulting in Nelson's retirement at the end of the season... Piquet still came 6th for 1pt.
6.Jean Alesi - 2001 United States GP: One of the drivers with the highest legendary status/results ratio (mostly through no fault of his own, apart from one team choice) undertook his 200th GP at this poignant race, just one before his farewell weekend in Suzuka. Jean was elevated into the points following team-mate Trulli's disqualification from a strong 4th place (Jarno always went very well at Indy). However he lost it again when Trulli was re-instated after the season had finished. Nevertheless, it was probably Alesi's strongest drive during his 5-race sojourn at Jordan.
7.Rubens Barrichello: 2005 Malaysian GP: Aided by softer tyres Rubens outqualified Michael very well (although he was still only 12th!). That tyre decision came back to bite him in the race however as while Schumacher battled to protect his 7th place from Christian Klien, Rubens retired altogether - due to excessive tyre wear!
That's enough for now - I need a rest!