Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso are regarded as one of F1’s greatest-ever rookie intakes, the trio each enjoying standout seasons with the Williams, Sauber and Minardi squads that would set them up for lengthy top-line careers.
Montoya overtook Schumacher three times on track during the season and finally broke his duck in the Italian Grand Prix, while Raikkonen scored a point on debut and Alonso claimed several scalps in tail-end machinery.
The fourth member of the rookie contingent was Arrows driver Enrique Bernoldi, who struggled to match his illustrious contemporaries. The Brazilian’s season is best remembered for his lengthy rear-guard action against David Coulthard at Monaco as the McLaren driver’s title hopes began to slip away.
PLUS: The forgotten member of F1’s greatest rookie crop
In a 2001-themed special edition of the Autosport podcast, chief editor Kevin Turner is joined by Plus editor James Newbold and former McLaren engineer Mark Williams to discuss the rookies performances, Coulthard’s best F1 season and the final hurrah of two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.
They also discuss how the team was foiled by newly re-introduced traction control, and debate the top 10 drivers lists compiled by late commentator Murray Walker, Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart and Prost/Jordan driver Jean Alesi for the 2001 Autosport season review magazine.
You can listen to the podcast using the player below, or by downloading via all good audio platforms including Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.