The 2001 Italian Grand Prix took place at Monza a few days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the USA.
F1 people are fond of saying their sport is like war. When faced with the horrific reality of what happened in America the F1 contingent at Monza had varying reactions.
Michael Schumacher (destined to finish fourth in the race for Ferrari): “It is a weekend when everything is not all right in the world and we questioned whether we should even race. We tried to make an agreement to not overtake in the opening lap. One person did not agree.”
Jacques Villeneuve (sixth in the race for BAR Honda):"You cannot make all the money we make and tell the fans you are not willing to compete from the very start. If Michael felt that strongly about it and really wanted to make a point then he shouldn't have started at all."
Jarno Trulli (whose Jordan crashed on the opening lap) received a standing ovation in the Monza media centre after delivering this heartfelt, impromptu speech:"It's not just a US tragedy, it's a tragedy for the whole world. We have to show everybody that we are together with the USA, that we are all together in the whole world. Formula 1 is a sport and all sport is also a way to show somehow that the whole world doesn't have to stop. We still have to carry on, we have to take care of what is happening, otherwise the people that attacked the USA will have won their battle and we cannot let this happen.”
Max Mosely (FIA boss at the time): “Anyone who can help the victims of the American disaster should do it. Likewise, anyone who can help apprehend the perpetrators. The duty for the rest of us is to carry on as normal and to make no concessions to terrorism.”
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