It didn't just handle well; it redefined downforce. It didn't just have power; its 3.0-liter V10 (the famed Tipo 051) produced over 835 bhp with a reliability that bordered on witchcraft. While rivals struggled with exploding engines and tire graining, the F2002 finished 14 of the 15 races it entered. The only retirement? A freak alternator failure.
Welcome to the season of the Scarlet Steamroller. On paper, 2002 should have been a thriller. The 2001 season had ended with a resurgent Williams-BMW pairing of Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya promising to dethrone the red empire. McLaren-Mercedes, with David Coulthard and a young Kimi Räikkönen, looked sharp in pre-season testing. 2002 formula one season
Ask any Formula One fan to describe the 2002 season in one word, and you’ll get two conflicting answers: “Masterpiece” or “Monotony.” It didn't just handle well; it redefined downforce
It was a masterpiece in red. Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) – 147 pts Constructors' champion: Scuderia Ferrari – 221 pts Best of the rest: Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) – 50 pts The only retirement