Ferrari F2001 - 2001 Hungary Grand Prix

Designed during Scuderia Ferrari’s illustrious ’golden era’ to build on the success of the double Championship-winning F1-2000, the F2001 was Scuderia Ferrari’s entry into the 2001 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The car proved to be immensely successful, allowing Michael Schumacher and Ferrari to secure the Drivers’ and Constructors’ title an astonishing three months before the season’s conclusion, thanks to a magnificent 1-2 victory at the Hungaroring.

The F2001 retained the fundamental structure of its predecessor, the F1-2000, relying on steady development of its engine and gearbox to form the core of the car. Significant efforts were directed toward aerodynamics to comply with the new regulations of 2001 that mandated a higher-mounted front wing assembly. To compensate for this loss of front-end downforce, the design team opted for a drooping nose instead of the high nose that was so distinctive on the Ferrari F1-2000. Despite these changes, the car retained some Ferrari trademarks, such as the periscope exhausts pioneered by the team in 1998 and the small bargeboards of earlier models. While the F2001 featured an upgraded gearbox and internal layout, it also demonstrated notable enhancements in aerodynamic efficiency and tire durability compared to previous models. The chassis had become heavier to meet new stringent crash test regulations, but weight was lost elsewhere across the car, particularly with the newly optimised 900 bhp 3.0 litre V10 Tipo 050 engine. The F2001 was launched at Maranello on 29 January and debuted on track the next day at Fiorano in the hands of Schumacher.

With a remarkably reliable and high-performing car, the 2001 season was nothing short of extraordinary. Schumacher claimed nine wins, five second place finishes, and one fourth, with only two retirements. His victories spanned Australia, Malaysia, Spain, Monaco, Europe, France, Hungary, Belgium and Japan, leading to a seemingly effortless win of both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ title, accomplished an incredible three months and four races before the end of the season. Barrichello was unable to claim his own victory, often due to a combination of poor luck and unreliability, but still secured ten podiums. The F2001 never once failed to reach the podium during the 2001 season, also earning three 1-2 victories, including a strategic triumph in Malaysia, a reliability-driven success in Monaco, and a decisive display of speed and strategy that clinched both championships. Schumacher won the title with a record 58 point margin over McLaren’s David Coulthard, whilst also setting the record for the most points accumulated in a single season. He equalled Alain Prost’s four world championships, placing him behind only the great Juan Manuel Fangio, and surpassed Prost's record for most Grand Prix wins after claiming victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, marking his 52nd career victory.

Such was the strength of the F2001 chassis, that Ferrari went on to compete with a modified version, the F2001B, in the beginning of 2002 as well. Schumacher secured one more victory at the Australian Grand Prix and a further podium in Malaysia, before transitioning to the all-conquering Ferrari F2002 for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Barrichello still competed in his home race with the F2001 but had to retire following a hydraulics issue, meaning Brazil 2002 was the only race where the F2001 did not score a point in competition.

During its 20-race tenure, the F2001 earned 10 wins, 16 further podiums, 13 pole positions and three fastest laps, accumulating a total 193 points. It won both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships outright in 2001, and also contributed to the team’s domination of the 2002 titles. Chassis 211, in which Schumacher won the Monaco Grand Prix and sealed the Championship double in Hungary was sold at an RM Sotheby’s art auction in 2017 for a price of US$7,504,000.

This fine 1:8 scale model of the Ferrari F2001 perfectly replicates the car Michael Schumacher raced to victory in the XVII Marlboro Magyar Nagydíj at the Hungaroring on the 19th of August 2001. Arriving in Hungary poised to clinch both Championships, Schumacher and Ferrari continued to demonstrate their superior pace. The German secured pole position with a new qualifying record at the Hungaroring, an advantage of 0.801 seconds over his main Championship rival David Coulthard behind. Teammate Barrichello qualified third, after his best opportunity for a lap was disrupted by the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya. From the outset of the race, the dynamics shifted dramatically as Coulthard, struggling on the dusty side of the grid, fell back in the clutches of Barrichello. The Brazilian quickly surged past the #4 McLaren-Mercedes to claim second, while Schumacher headed into the first corner unopposed. The two Ferraris, with Coulthard in full pursuit, soon pulled clear of the rest of the field, but Barrichello played a strategic role, easing his pace to impede Coulthard and assist his German teammate in building a gap. Schumacher duly responded, delivering a handful of quick laps before his first pit stop. Barrichello would continue to frustrate the Scotsman until the end of lap 31, when the Ferrari peeled into the pits. Coulthard used the free air, pitting on the next lap and overcutting the Brazilian. Now in clear air, the McLaren began to chip away at the #1 Ferrari’s lead, but his progress soon plateaued as the effect of fresh rubber dissipated. Schumacher made his second stop on lap 52, rejoining behind Barrichello to briefly relinquish the lead to Coulthard, who came for his own pit stop two laps later. Unfortunately for McLaren, a refuelling issue cost them several seconds in the pitlane, erasing all their previous gains, returning to the track behind Barrichello. With that, the race, and with it, the Championship, was effectively over as contest. Schumacher cruised to the chequered flag and crossed the finish line with Barrichello just three seconds behind, securing not only his second consecutive Drivers' Championship but also Ferrari's third consecutive Constructors' Championship. With four races still remaining in the season, Schumacher’s tally stood unassailable at 94 points, overshadowing Coulthard’s 51. Meanwhile, Ferrari finished the season with a dominant 140 points, nearly double McLaren's total in second. Leading home the team’s third 1-2 finish of the season, Schumacher also equalled the race wins record set by the legendary Alain Prost.

This model has been handcrafted utilising the original CAD data supplied directly by Scuderia Ferrari and has undergone strict scrutiny by both the design and engineering teams to ensure complete accuracy of representation.

The Ferrari F2001 is limited to just 99 pieces at 1:8 scale.