How the Formula One title was won

We take a look back through the season to see how Michael Schumacher took his fourth world title.

MARCH 14 - AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX (MELBOURNE)

Michael Schumacher launches his title defence with a storming victory in Melbourne's Albert Park from McLaren's David Coulthard with Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello third. However, the opening race ends in tragedy when a marshal, Graham Beveridge, is killed after being hit in chest by a wheel which flew off Jacques Villeneuve's car following a collision with Ralf Schumacher's Williams.

Standings (Top three): 1 M Schumacher (Ferrari) 10 points; 2 D Coulthard (McLaren) 6pts; 3 R Barrichello (Ferrari) 4pts.

MARCH 18 - MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX (KUALA LUMPUR) Schumacher spearheads a dream double for Ferrari, who enjoy a massive advantage over their rivals. Coulthard is on the podium again with third spot, but team-mate and two-time champion Mika Hakkinen admits that McLaren have a lot of catching up to do after finishing a distant sixth. It is Schumacher's sixth successive win from pole stretching back to 2000 season.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 20; 2 Barrichello, 3 Coulthard

APRIL 1 - BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX (SAO PAULO)

Coulthard brings Schumacher's winning streak to an abrupt end, pulling off a stunning three-abreast overtaking move on the German in the wet. Schumacher, a distant second, is also earlier caught out by rookie Juan Pablo Montoya, although the Colombian is denied a probable victory after collision with Jos Verstappen's Arrows. Hakkinen is in trouble again as he stalls at the start.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 26; 2 Coulthard 20; 3 Barrichello 10.

APRIL 15 - SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX (IMOLA)

Schumacher is back on the victory podium, but this time it is younger brother Ralf who scores his maiden win after taking the lead from pole sitter Coulthard. Second place is enough to give a share of the championship lead to Coulthard. The elder Schumacher fails to finish.

Standings: 1 Schumacher, Coulthard 26; 3 Barrichello 14.

APRIL 29 - SPANISH GRAND PRIX (BARCELONA)

Schumacher returns to winning ways as McLaren's rivals endure a nightmare afternoon. Coulthard - who scrambles fifth spot after starting the race from the back of the grid - and team boss Ron Dennis accuse each other of `brain fade' after the launch control system fails its first test. Hakkinen is robbed of victory by a mechanical failure just half a lap from home.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 36; 2 Coulthard 28; 3 Barrichello 14.

MAY 13 - AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX (SPIELBERG)

Coulthard underlines his championship credentials with his second victory in three races. McLaren face immediate calls to impose team orders, with Hakkinen 34 points adrift of the Scot. Ferrari show where their priorities lie by telling Barrichello to move over to let Schumacher inherit second place. The Brazilian finally abides by the order, but he is not happy.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 42; 2 Coulthard 38; 3 Barrichello 18.

MAY 27 - MONACO GRAND PRIX (MONTE CARLO)

Coulthard's title charge is stalled as his launch control system fails again, ruining his brilliant pole in the Principality. Arrows rookie Enrique Bernoldi then frustratingly holds him up for half the race. Despite fifth spot - maintaining his perfect points winning start - Schumacher strolls to victory to take his championship lead into double figures.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 52; 2 Coulthard 40; 3 Barrichello 24.

JUNE 10 - CANADIAN GRAND PRIX (MONTREAL)

The Schumachers make history as they become the first brothers to finish one-two in a championship race. Victory goes to Ralf, who tracks Michael for lap after lap before taking the lead in the pit-stops. This hands a lifeline to Coulthard, who discovers a suspension nut in his cockpit on the parade lap. An engine blow-up eventually brings his run of points finishes to an end.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 58; 2 Coulthard 40; 3 Barrichello 24.

JUNE 24 - EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX (NURBURGRING, GERMANY)

Big brother becomes bad brother as Schumacher begins to turn the screw in the title chase, almost forcing Ralf into the wall on the track near the family home when defending pole position. Schumacher goes on to triumph while Ralf also incurs a stop-go penalty. This allows Coulthard to snatch third place, but it is beginning to look bleak for the McLaren driver.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 68; 2 Coulthard 44; 3 Barrichello 26.

JULY 1 - FRENCH GRAND PRIX (MAGNY-COURS)

Schumacher roars to his 50th Grand Prix victory, leaving him just one short of Alain Prost's all-time mark. He produces another masterful display to complete an eight-day double that changes the face of the title battle. Coulthard is hit with a speeding violation and although he still finishes fourth, he is suddenly 31 points adrift with just seven races left.

Standings: 1 M Schumacher 78; 2 Coulthard 47; 3 R Schumacher (Williams) 31.

JULY 15 - BRITISH GRAND PRIX (SILVERSTONE)

Coulthard's bid for a historic hat-trick of home wins to keep his flagging title hopes alive is ended by a first-corner shunt with Jordan's Jarno Trulli. This sends his damaged McLaren sliding into the gravel a couple of laps later. It is a case of what might have been, as Ferrari get their race strategy all wrong as a one-stopping Schumacher cannot match a revitalised Hakkinen. The German settles for another six points.

Standings: 1 Schumacher 84; 2 Coulthard 47; 3 Barrichello 34.

JULY 29 - GERMAN GRAND PRIX (HOCKENHEIM)

There was no record-equalling 51st career win for Schumacher in front of his home fans as the German suffered a rare retirement having being involved in a dramatic shunt at the first race start. He still moved closer to the championship after Coulthard also failed to finish with mechanical failure. The Scot suddenly saw the career-best second place overall now being challenged, as Schumacher junior scored another win.

Standings: 1 M Schumacher 84, 2 Coulthard 47, 3 R Schumacher 41.

AUGUST 19 - HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX (HUNGARORING)

Schumacher was in blistering form throughout the entire weekend. He began the race from pole after lapping a massive 0.8 seconds quicker than Coulthard in qualifying. The German ace never looked back as the Scot slipped back to third behind Barrichello at the first corner. Schumacher romped to his fourth world title and his 51st Grand Prix victory.

Standings: 1 M Schumacher 94, 2 Coulthard 51, 3 Barrichello 46.

Filed by Greg McKevitt