Ralf Schumacher seized the first win of his Formula One career at the San Marino Grand Prix today with acommanding drive from start to finish that handed Williams their first victory since 1997.
It was a day of contrasting fortunes for the Schumacher family, with older brother Michael retiring his Ferrari to the dismay of the silenced localfans after just 25 laps and losing his outright lead in the championship.
The world champion's failure to score in Ferrari's heartland, at a track named after team founder Enzo and son Dino, allowed Briton David Coulthardto draw level on 26 points after four of the 17 races this season.
Coulthard, starting on pole, brought his McLaren home in second place after Ralf made a storming start from the second row and snatched thelead going into the first corner.
The 25-year-old German gradually pulled away and never surrendered his lead, finishing 4.3 seconds clear of the Scot after two pitstops on abrilliantly sunny day in Imola.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who had a nightmare in the last race in his native Sao Paulo, made amends by taking third and giving Ferrari at least apodium place for their efforts.
McLaren's Mika Hakkinen was fourth, followed by the Jordans of Italian Jarno Trulli and German Heinz Harald Frentzen.
Ralf's win was the first in 23 races by a driver from a team other than Ferrari or McLaren.
Reuters