Page 1 of 1 After Michael Schumacher won back-to-back driver's titles for Benneton in 1994 and 1995, he moved to Ferrari to try and win the Scuderia their first driver's title since Jody Scheckter's 1979 title. Although Schumacher won three races in the 1996 season, Ferrari and Schumacher were not serious contenders for the championship until the 1999 season. A huge crash at Silverstone that year effectively ended the season for Schumacher, second driver Eddie Irvine eventually lost the title to McLaren's Mika Hakkinen by two points.
With Ferrari's ever increasing performance, the title was on its way rather sooner than later. To further strengthen the line-up, Eddie Irvine was replaced by Brasilian driver Rubens Barrichello. Just like Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine, Barrichello started his Formula 1 career at Jordan. Luca Badoer completed the team as the Scuderia's official test driver. Team principal remained the same; Jean Todt and Ross Brawn. Todt had previously managed Puegeot's rally and sportscar program with great success and Brawn was chief engineer at Benneton in their championship winning years.
The car campaigned in the 2000 season was aptly named F1-2000 and was Ferrari's 47th Formula 1 design. Its design was similar to the successful F399 used in 1999, with many improvements. The V10 engine, code named 050, displaced just under three litres and was good for between 770 and 850 bhp. Bolted transversely on the engine is a seven speed semi-automatic gearbox, that is operated by paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The transverse mounting of the gearbox helps keep most of the weight within the wheelbase for a better balance.
The season started off on a high for the Scuderia, with Michael Schumacher winning the first three races. Barrichello was quickly picking up the pace and in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim he scored his maiden victory after starting 18th on the grid. Michael Schumacher won another six races and clinched Ferrari's first driver's title in 21 years. Barrichello's fourth place in the championship was good enough for Ferrari to win the constructors’ title as well. Page 1 of 1
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After Michael Schumacher won back-to-back driver's titles for Benneton in 1994 and 1995, he moved to Ferrari to try and win the Scuderia their first driver's title since Jody Scheckter's 1979 title. Although Schumacher won three races in the 1996 season, Ferrari and Schumacher were not serious contenders for the championship until the 1999 season. A huge crash at Silverstone that year effectively ended the season for Schumacher, second driver Eddie Irvine eventually lost the title to McLaren's Mika Hakkinen by two points.