Michael Schumacher Sets Ferrari Record at Imola as Barrichello‑Irvine Clash Sparks Drama

Michael Schumacher’s 97th Grand Prix start for Ferrari at the 2002 San Marino Grand Prix broke Gerhard Berger’s long‑standing record and was capped by a dominant one‑two finish with Rubens Barrichello. While Schumacher extended his championship lead to 14 points, a heated on‑track exchange between Barrichello and former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine added an unexpected flash of colour to an otherwise clinical Ferrari day.

Why it matters:

• The milestone underlines Schumacher’s longevity and the continuity that helped Ferrari dominate the 2002 season.
• A 97‑start record for a single team is rare in modern F1, highlighting the driver‑team partnership that powered five world titles.
• The Barrichello‑Irvine incident shows how past allegiances can surface even in the midst of a team’s supremacy.

The details:

• Record broken – Schumacher’s 97th start eclipsed Berger’s 96, making him the most experienced Ferrari driver in the sport’s history.
• Race dominance – Pole time 1:21.058, just 0.064 s ahead of Barrichello; the German won by 17.9 s, giving Ferrari its first Imola one‑two since 1982.
• Championship impact – The win stretched Schumacher’s lead to 14 points over Williams’ Ralf Schumacher, a gap that proved decisive.
• Barrichello‑Irvine clash – While lapping Irvine, Barrichello was delayed for several corners; he responded with a one‑finger salute, to which Irvine replied, “I’ll never be as ugly.”
• Podium finishers – Ralf Schumacher (Williams) took third, followed by Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren).

What's next:

• The Imola victory set the tone for Ferrari’s record‑breaking 2002 campaign, which would end with a 15‑race winning streak and Schumacher’s fifth world title.
• The Barrichello‑Irvine episode remains a footnote, but it reminds drivers that old rivalries can flare when the grid tightens.
• For fans, the 2002 season still serves as a benchmark of team dominance and driver consistency.