The 2000 Japanese Grand Prix (formally the XXVI Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held on 8 October 2000, at the Suzuka International Racing Course in Suzuka, Mie, Japan in front of a crowd of 151,000 spectators. It was the 16th and penultimate round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship, as well as, the 26th Japanese Grand Prix. Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher won the 53-lap race from pole position. Mika Häkkinen finished second in a McLaren with teammate David Coulthard third. Schumacher's victory confirmed him as the 2000 World Drivers' Champion, as Häkkinen could not overtake Schumacher's points total with one race remaining in the season. Going to the race, only Michael Schumacher and Häkkinen were in contention for the World Drivers' Championship, with Schumacher holding an eight-point lead. Ferrari led McLaren by ten points in the World Constructors' Championship. Häkkinen started the Grand Prix alongside Michael Schumacher on the grid's front row. Michael Schumacher attempted to defend his lead off the line by moving into Häkkinen's path, but Häkkinen passed Michael Schumacher approaching the first corner, with Coulthard holding off attempts by Williams driver Ralf Schumacher to move into third position. Michael Schumacher managed to close the gap to Häkkinen by lap 31 and passed the latter during the second round of pit stops. He maintained the advantage between himself and Häkkinen towards the end of the race to secure his eighth victory of the season. Michael Schumacher received praise from many within the Formula One community, including former Champion Jody Scheckter and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, though he was criticised by former Italian president Francesco Cossiga for his conduct during the playing of the Italian National Anthem on the podium. The Ferrari driver also received predominant congratulations from the European press. Häkkinen's second-place finish secured him second position in the Drivers' Championship, while Ferrari extended the gap to McLaren in the World Constructors' Championship to thirteen points, with one race remaining in the season. Background The 2000 Japanese Grand Prix was the sixteenth and penultimate round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship and was staged at the clockwise figure-of-eight Suzuka International Racing Course in Suzuka, Mie, Japan on 8 October 2000. The Grand Prix was contested by eleven teams (each representing a different constructor) of two drivers each and there were no changes from the season entry list. Sole tyre