Tension filled the air as the drivers took to the grid for the start of this afternoon's Hungarian Grand Prix. The outcome of this event is vital to David Coulthard, the Scot hoping to stop Michael Schumacher's charge to his fourth world title, while on the other hand, Michael was looking at tying up the championship and equal Alain Prost's all time record of 51 Formula One victories. On his way to the grid, the Ferrari ace had a slight off into the gravel trap and a very worried Ross Brawn worriedly inspects the underneath of the F2001.

The formation lap gets underway as track temperature sits at a staggering 40 degrees. All make it round safely and they wait for the lights to go out. It's go in Hungary, David Coulthard gets off to a bad start and drops back to third, the Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello slotting into second behind his teammate, Eddie Irvine is off at the first corner, the Jaguar driver's race over before it begins! Tarso Marques is also off, however the Minardi driver retakes the track and continues on his way.

Michael Schumacher begins to eek out a lead, over Barrichello, however Coulthard is only 6 tenths of a second behind the Brazilian. A little further back, Jos Verstappen has made another one of his flying starts, the Arrows driver already up to 14th from his 21st starting position. Lap three and Barrichello sets the fastest lap, however Coulthard responds the next time around and shaves seven tenths off the Ferrari's time. Mika Hakkinen is right behind fifth placed Jarno Trulli and gaining, meanwhile the second Jordan of Jean Alesi is in 13th place. Heinz-Harald Frentzen lost time somewhere and the new Prost driver is all the way back in 20th place.

Ten second stop and go penalty for Jenson Button after the Benetton driver jumped the start. Lap seven and the Englishman comes in to serve his penalty as the top three pull away from the fourth placed Williams of Ralf Schumacher. Coulthard sets another fastest lap, the McLaren driver recording a 1:18.975 as he attempts to catch the Ferrari's in front of him. Schumacher responds with a 1:18.8 sending a clear message to Coulthard that he plans on winning this event.

Fernando Alonso is having a storming race so far, the Minardi driver already up into sixteenth place, four seconds behind the Arrows of Jos Verstappen in fifteenth, who in turn has Giancarlo Fisichella firmly in his sights. Lap ten and Luciano Burti is off into the gravel, the Prost man's first Hungarian Grand Prix over. Jean Alesi passes the sole remaining Jaguar of Pedro de la Rosa for twelfth place as Mika Hakkinen tries to find a way past Jarno Trulli. The Finn is only two tenths of a second behind the Jordan, however passing on this circuit is extremely hard and the McLaren driver is forced to stay in sixth for now.

Michael Schumacher increases his lead over Barrichello, which in turn puts more time between himself and David Coulthard. Enrique Bernoldi leaves Verstappen to carry the flag for the Orange Arrows outfit after he too takes to the gravel and retires from the event. Lap 15 and Michael Schumacher puts a lap on both Tarso Marques and Jenson Button, and Barrichello and Coulthard follow suit. The reigning world champion is really on a charge, setting a new lap record with his new fastest lap of 1:18.175. His trip across the gravel prior to the start appears not to have damaged his Ferrari in any way as he continues to fly around the Hungaroring.

Lap 18 and Barrichello is now six seconds behind his teammate with Coulthard pushing as hard as he can to catch and pass the Brazilian. The Scot goes wide on the final turn as he pushes to the maximum, no damage down and he continues to close the gap, which now sits at 1.5 seconds. Frentzen comes in for his first pit stop and Coulthard sets the fastest first sector of the race so far. Fernando Alonso is the next into pit as Schumacher puts a lap on de la Rosa. David closes the gap to Barrichello down .8 as Schumacher sets yet another new fastest lap, 1:17.436, the gap back to his teammate now just under ten seconds.

Just over two seconds cover fifth to ninth with Jarno Trulli still keeping the McLaren of Mika Hakkinen at bay. A near collision between Hakkinen and Marques as the Finn laps the Minardi. Lap 28 and several drivers pit, including the leading Ferrari of Michael Schumacher, 8.4 seconds, a good stop for the German. He returns to the track in third place, ahead of brother Ralf. Jarno Trulli pits, finally giving Mika Hakkinen a clear track, and just in time as Montoya desperately tries to take the points scoring place away from the Finn.

Rubens Barrichello, who inherited the lead when his teammate pitted, laps the Jordan of Jean Alesi and Coulthard follows him through. Lap 31 and the Brazilian comes in for his first stop, leaving the way clear for Coulthard who now leads the Hungarian Grand Prix. However, it didn't last long as the Scot takes his first service, handing the lead back to Michael Schumacher.

Good stop for Coulthard and he rejoins the circuit ahead of Barrichello but just over 12 seconds behind the leading Ferrari. Problems for Trulli in the pits when the crew encounter fuel rig problem. The Jordan driver is now back in tenth place. Coulthard continues to eat into Schumacher's lead, the gap now 10.9 seconds. Lap 37 and Jenson Button spins his Benetton and comes to a halt across the circuit. The car is easily removed and the race continues. Mika Hakkinen finally pits, the Finn the final driver to do so, 6.8 seconds for the McLaren and he retains fifth place. Fernando Alonso puts an end to his strong run by beaching his Minardi in the gravel.

Hakkinen puts the hammer down and sets a new fastest lap of 1:16.964 however Coulthard is now losing ground to Schumacher. Minor problems with a rear tyre for Fisichella on his second stop, 9.6 for the Benetton man as track temperature drops to 36 degrees. Schumacher laps the seventh placed Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya as several drivers come in for their second stop. Barrichello is putting the pressure on Coulthard and the Scot will have to keep his wits about him if he doesn't want the Brazilian to pass him in the pits.

Lap 52 and Michael comes in for his second stop, rejoining the circuit in third once again. Barrichello is in soon afterwards and Coulthard the following lap. Montoya has a slight off, losing a position to Olivier Panis as he rejoins the track. Fuel rig problems for Coulthard and Barrichello reclaims his second place. Jarno Trulli retires his Jordan on lap 55, disappointment for the Italian driver once again.

Twenty laps remain and at this stage it looks as if Michael Schumacher will finally claim that 51st victory, taking his fourth world title in the process. The top six are Michael, Rubens, David, Ralf, Mika and Nick Heidfeld. Olivier Panis retires his Honda powered BAR from ninth place. Mika Hakkinen picks up the pace and is challenging Ralf Schumacher for fourth place, however he just can't get past the Williams.

Only twelve laps remain and fifteen drivers remain. Away from the front, the sole remaining Jordan of Jean Alesi is in tenth place challenging Jacques Villeneuve while the man he replaced, Heinz- Harald Frentzen retires from his first race with Prost. David Coulthard refuses to give up and closes the gap to Barrichello once again. Lap 70 and Giancarlo Fisichella becomes the tenth driver to retire, putting his Benetton into the gravel with smoke wisping from the engine. Unusual development for McLaren as Mika Hakkinen comes into the pits with only six laps to go. It appears as if the Fin didn't have enough fuel to finish the race and he rejoins the circuit in 5th place. Olivier Panis rejoins the track, 15 laps down, but soon returns to the garage...

Final lap and Michael crosses the line to take the win here in Budapest! The Ferrari ace equals Alain Prost's record of 51 wins and lays claim to his fourth world title! Rubens Barrichello's second place also hands Ferrari the 2001 constructors crown. A fantastic day for Ferrari in Budapest!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS FERRARI AND MICHAEL SCHUMACHER, 2001 WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!

The top six from today's Hungarian Grand Prix were Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and Nick Heidfeld.