The 2002 United States Grand Prix brought us one of the most thrilling and closest Formula 1 race finishes in history. The battle between teammates Schumacher and Barrichello ended in victory for Ferrari, giving us one of the iconic Photos with two Ferraris crossing the line simultaneously.
The Formula 1 2002 season United States Grand Prix was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, unlike today where the USGP happens at COTA in Austin, Texas. Michael Schumacher was already the world champion and Ferrari was the constructors champion. His teammate Rubens Barrichello was second in the drivers standings. Michael was also the pole leader after qualifying followed by Barricehllo and Williams driver David Coulthard.
After the race started, Michael led the grid and he was ahead of his teammate Rubens Barrichello by 0.9 seconds by the end of the first lap. The two Ferraris looked untouchable by the others as they were lighter and faster. They started lapping every other car in the race. Which put both Ferraris into an intra-team brawl for the win.
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A 0.011 second race finish
The key moment of the race was during the last and final lap of the race where Michael was half a second ahead of his teammate Barrichello. But he slowed down for his teammate to catch him and in the final two corners, Barrichello closed on Michael Schumacher as both Ferraris planned to finish the race in identical positions.
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But Rubens Barrichello had no idea about any plans and he passed Michael Schumacher on the finish line by 0.011 seconds which is the second-closest margin ever in a Formula 1 race since 1971 when during the Italian Grand Prix Peter Gethin passed Ronnie Peterson by 0.001 seconds. Micheal paid back the help he received from his teammate during the Austrian GP where Barrichello allowed him to pass during the race.
The Ferraris were followed by David Coulthard at third, Montoya at fourth and Trulli at fifth. After the race, Rubens Barrichello who was not part of the strategy realized he was the winner and then he thanked Michael Schumacher for being kind enough to let him pass alongside him and let him win the race. This proves how good teammates should be in helping each other get the victory.
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