with a left-front suspension component failure on lap 43 as De La Rosa passed Fisichella for 13th position on the same lap. Fisichella was forced onto the gravel to avoid contact. The rain slightly increased in intensity three laps later and both Michael Schumacher and Häkkinen became more circumspect. De La Rosa overtook Trulli during the 48th lap. Gené became the race's final retirement with an expired engine at the hairpin on that lap. Although Häkkinen closed the gap over the final 14 laps, Michael Schumacher maintained his lead and finished first after 53 laps to achieve his eighth race victory of the 2000 season and the 43rd of his career, in a time of 1'29:53.435, at an average speed of . Michael Schumacher won the 2000 Drivers' Championship as Häkkinen could not catch his points total in the one remaining race. He also became Ferrari's first World Drivers' Champion since Jody Scheckter in 1979. Häkkinen finished second, 1.8 seconds behind, ahead of teammate Coulthard in third with Barrichello fourth. Button came fifth and was gaining on Barrichello by the finish. Villeneuve completed the points scorers in sixth. Herbert, Irvine, Zonta, Salo, Diniz, De La Rosa, Trulli, Fisichella and Mazzacane were the final classified finishers. Post-race The top three drivers appeared on the podium to collect their trophies and in the subsequent press conference. Michael Schumacher revealed that he took a cautious approach when the track became slippery due to rain in the second stint. He also added his team made adjustments during the first stop which helped to contribute to his quick pace. Häkkinen congratulated Michael Schumacher on clinching the Drivers' Championship and said that although he felt naturally disappointed, he admitted that "to be a good winner, sometimes you also have to be a good loser". He also confirmed that Ferrari's strategy lost him the chance of victory and acknowledged that Schumacher was at an advantage after his second pit stop. Coulthard described his race as "quiet" because of the lack of action he encountered. He also admitted that he struggled to handle the car in the wet conditions. Michael Schumacher's title triumph was well received in the Formula One paddock and in the media. German national newspaper Die Welt said: "A dream has been fulfilled and it will have far-reaching consequences. Ferrari and Formula One are alive again in this season and a new monument has been