Austrian Grand Prix 2001 - Race Schedule and Countdown

David Coulthard claimed victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, holding off Michael Schumacher in a tense battle at the A1-Ring. The McLaren driver executed his strategy perfectly, managing his tires and fuel load brilliantly to stay ahead of the charging Ferrari in the closing stages. Schumacher had to settle for second place after pushing hard, while Rubens Barrichello completed an all-red podium in third for Ferrari.

The victory kept Coulthard's faint championship hopes flickering, but Schumacher's relentless consistency meant his points advantage continued to grow inexorably. Häkkinen endured another frustrating afternoon, finishing outside the points and falling further behind in what would be his final season. The battle between Coulthard and Schumacher provided excellent entertainment, with both drivers pushing to the absolute limit. However, Ferrari's superior reliability and Schumacher's mistake-free performances meant that even when McLaren won, they struggled to close the championship gap significantly, with the title already appearing to be a formality.