Sauber clinch fourth spot
Switzerland's Sauber motor racing team have completed their best ever season on the Formula One circuit, finishing fourth in the constructors' championship.
Formula One giants Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes were the only teams to finish above Peter Sauber’s outfit. With a tally of 22 points, the Hinwil-based outfit finished five points clear of nearest rivals BAR and Jordan.
Sauber drivers Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Räikkonen were unable to add any more points to their total during Sunday’s final Grand Prix in Japan, which was won by German world champion Michael Schumacher.
Räikkonen crashes out
Räikkonen completed his last race for Sauber by writing off his car on the sixth lap. The young Finn, who is to join McLaren next season, spun out of control before colliding with Jordan’s Jean Alesi. The Frenchman, who had earlier announced his plans to retire from the sport, was also forced off the track.
“I’m not sure what happened,” Räikkonen said afterwards. “The back end suddenly snapped round and I spun. It was a pretty big shunt and I have a bit of a head and neck ache. But otherwise I’m fine.
“After this last race for the team, I would like to say thank you to Peter Sauber for giving me my chance to race in Formula One, and wish him success again in 2002.”
Heidfeld ninth
Heidfeld, who will next season be partnered by Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, had a better day, finishing Sunday’s race in ninth place.
“I was really lucky to miss the flying wheels from Kimi’s accident,” Heidfeld recalled. “I had to brake to avoid one of them and that lost me some time. But I’m pleased to hear that Kimi is okay, and delighted that we confirmed our fourth place in the World Championship.”
Despite failing to make it into the points in Japan, the Sauber drivers will have plenty of other good performances to recall as the end of season celebrations get underway. Heidfeld has had a particularly strong year, taking points from seven of the 17 races with his third place in Brazil among the biggest highlights.
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