Total domination but…

The 2002 Drivers’ Championship was dominated by Michael Schumacher who finished first or second in every race except for the Malaysian Grand Prix where he finished third, thus achieving a podium position in every race.

He won a then-record 11 of 17 Grand Prix, surpassing the previous record of 9 wins, jointly held by himself (1995, 2000 and 2001) and Nigel Mansell (1992).

Schumacher took his fifth Drivers’ Championship by a then-record 67 point margin over team-mate Rubens Barrichello. The great German and his Brazilian team mate helped the Scuderia Ferrari led by Jean Todt secure the Constructors’ Championship with a point total equalled the combined sum of points attained by all other constructors collectively. Such was the domination of the men in red.

Controversial: Rubens Barrichello who was leading the Austrian Grand Prix was ordered by his team to let Michael Schumacher take the win. The Brazilian reluctantly did so on the last lap. On the podium (picture below), the drivers were booed by the public. These team orders, so early in the season were not understood (to say the least).