US GP: Notes and facts after Indy

Barrichello's win thrills Brazilian fans; Ferrari sets more records

The group of 10 young Brazilian race fans from Atlanta with the two giant Brazilian flags got a real post-race treat Sept. 29 at the SAP United States Grand Prix.

They waited in the stands in front of the media center after the race with the flags, chanting and cheering for winner Rubens Barrichello with their flags draped over the edge of the stands.

After Barrichello finished media interviews, he walked over to the group, with TV cameras and photographers rolling and snapping. He tossed his hat to the group, and it was caught by Kleber Dossantos, 31, who originated the group's flag idea. As Barrichello left, the group called for him to return.

Barrichello came back and autographed the 11-foot by 15-foot flag for them, TV cameras, photographers shooting all a second time.

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Record point total: Ferrari has now scored 205 points in the Constructors' Championship after 16 of 17 rounds this season. That beats the old record of 199 points earned by McLaren-Mercedes in the 16-race 1988 season.

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More records: Michael Schumacher's record for consecutive points finishes now stands at 21. His points total for this season now numbers 134, which tops his record of 123 set last year.

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Ferrari statistics: Ferrari has scored 14 wins and eight one-two finishes in 16 starts this season. This was Ferrari's 158th Grand Prix victory and its eighth in the United States Grand Prix. At least one Ferrari driver has finished on the podium (top three) for 52 consecutive races.

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Points battles: While Rubens Barrichello has clinched second place in the Drivers' Championship, other positions still need to be settled at the season finale Oct. 13 in Japan.

Montoya is in third place with 47 points while Ralf Schumacher has 42 and David Coulthard has 41. Only two points separate Jarno Trulli, Eddie Irvine and Nick Heidfeld, who are contesting eighth place. And only two points separate the next six drivers in the standings.

Williams-BMW has clinched second place over McLaren-Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship. Three points separate Sauber-Petronas, BAR-Honda and Jordan Honda, who are contesting fifth place, while Minardi-Asiatech, Toyota and Arrows-Cosworth are tied with two points each.

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Todt's view: Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt had this to say about the team's one-two finish in the SAP United States Grand Prix.

"To take our 14th win and eighth one-two finish of the season is a fantastic result," Todt said. "Now that Rubens has taken second place in the drivers' classification, we have reached all the goals we had set ourselves at the start of the year. Furthermore, we have become the first team to break the 200 points barrier from 16 races.

"Once again today, we proved our motivation has not wavered. The team worked exceptionally well and in some ways, crossing the line side by side is a symbol for an incredible season.

"The happiness of our drivers and (F1 engine department director) Paolo Martinelli on the podium demonstrates the harmony that exists in this team, which works with passion and determination. This one-two finish is down to the fact that the entire package - chassis, engine and Bridgestone tyres all worked perfectly.

"Adding to our satisfaction is the fact that the United States is the most important market for Ferrari and Maserati."

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