On this day: Michael Schumacher beats Alain Prost’s F1 victory record
On 2 September 2001, Michael Schumacher surpassed Alain Prost’s record of 51 Formula 1 victories, winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Prost had been the record holder since 1987, when he matched Jackie Stewart’s tally of 27, and went on to clinch nearly as many wins from then on, until his 1993 retirement. The 1993 season, coincidentally, marked Schumacher’s continued ... Keep…
On 2 September 2001, Michael Schumacher set a new Formula 1 victory record by winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, surpassing Alain Prost's record of 51 victories. Prost had held the title since 1987, and Schumacher's achievement came after he had already become a four-time world champion. At the time, Schumacher was only third on the grid following qualifying at a drying track, with Williams leading the front row, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher.
The start of the race was marred by incidents, including Montoya stalling and Ralf Schumacher's car being left up on its jacks. Schumacher inherited the lead at the second start, aided by Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella, who moved from fifth to second on the grid. Schumacher quickly established a significant lead, with a 20-second gap after nine laps.
Despite a mistake on lap 17, Schumacher maintained his pace, crossing the finish line 10 seconds ahead of his rival David Coulthard, who was the runner-up in the championship.
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