2001 Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey

Motor race held in Monterrey, Mexico November 2025 MEX Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey 2001 Tecate Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey.jpg March 11 2001 Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey Presented by Herdez 2000 Marlboro 500 2001 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach CART 1 21 Fundidora Park, Monterrey, Mexico Permanent racing facility 2.104 3.386 78 164.112 264.113 Kenny Bräck Team Rahal 1:15.244 SWE Dario Franchitti Team Green 1:15.403 59 SCO Cristiano da Matta Newman/Haas Racing BRA Gil de Ferran Team Penske BRA Paul Tracy Team Green CAN The 2001 Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey was a Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) motor race held on March 11, 2001, in Monterrey, Mexico at Fundidora Park before 116,000 spectators. The 78-lap race was the first of the 2001 CART FedEx Championship Series and the inaugural running of the event. Cristiano da Matta of Newman/Haas Racing won the race; Gil de Ferran finished second and Paul Tracy came in third. After lapping the fastest time in qualifying, Kenny Bräck won the pole position and dominated the first half of the race, only conceding the lead to rookie competitor Scott Dixon, who chose not to make a pit stop during a caution period. However, Bräck was suddenly hampered by brief engine issues, allowing da Matta to overtake him for the lead on lap 43. Da Matta remained largely unchallenged for the rest of the race, only giving up the lead to Dario Franchitti during a cycle of green-flag pit stops, and earned his second CART victory. In addition, da Matta, Lola, and Toyota earned the lead in the Drivers' Championship, Constructors' Championship, and Manufacturers' Championship, respectively. The scheduled distance of 80 laps was curtailed to meet the two-hour time limit. The race was deemed a success among journalists, drivers, and race organizers, prompting CART to host a second event in Mexico beginning in 2002. The Grand Prix of Monterrey remained on CART's schedule until 2006. Background 2001 CART FedEx Championship Series#Drivers and constructors left|thumb|Fundidora Park (pictured in 2009), where the race was held. The Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey was the first of 21 scheduled open-wheel races for the 2001 CART FedEx Championship Series and the inaugural running of the event.CHAMPCAR/CART: CART 2001 updated schedule https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-cart-2001-updated-schedule/1844546/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251102224104/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-cart-2001-updated-schedule/1844546/ November 2, 2025 November 2, 2025 Motorsport.com It was held on March 11, 2001, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, at Fundidora Park, a public park which was converted to a 12-turn, 2.104 mi km on road course circuit, and was scheduled to be contested over 80 laps and 168.32 mi km out.2001 Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2001_Tecate_Telmex_Grand_Prix_of_Monterrey/R live https://web.archive.org/web/20250805010759/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2001_Tecate_Telmex_Grand_Prix_of_Monterrey/R August 5, 2025 November 3, 2025 Racing-Reference.info NASCAR Digital Media The event, which marked the series' first race in Mexico since 1981, was organized by CART team owners Pat Patrick and Gerald Forsythe.April 14, 2000 CART adds Mexico to 2001 schedule https://www.espn.com/auto/cart/news/2000/0414/482020.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20251103011757/https://www.espn.com/auto/cart/news/2000/0414/482020.html November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 ESPN CART Chairman and CEO Andrew Craig explained that the race gave the series a presence throughout all of North America and provided additional value to many of the series' sponsors.April 14, 2000 CART's FedEx Championship Series to Visit Mexico in 2001 http://www.cart.com/R03/news/CAR2000041400009WFC.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20000918131930/http://www.cart.com/R03/news/CAR2000041400009WFC.html September 18, 2000 November 3, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Long Beach, California The race was also expected to economically benefit Monterrey, especially its hotel industry, and increase tourism in the city.March 1, 2001 CHAMPCAR/CART: Economic benefit of Monterrey Grand Prix https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-economic-benefit-of-monterrey-grand-prix/1863070/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104204636/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-economic-benefit-of-monterrey-grand-prix/1863070/ November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Although Team Penske retained their drivers from the previous season, Hélio Castroneves and reigning series champion Gil de Ferran,CHAMPCAR/CART: Team Penske looking forward to Monterrey https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-team-penske-looking-forward-to-monterrey/1863939/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104032519/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-team-penske-looking-forward-to-monterrey/1863939/ November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 Motorsport.com the months leading up to the 2001 season were full of drivers swapping teams. Chip Ganassi Racing notably changed their entire driver lineup, replacing Juan Pablo Montoya (who began racing in Formula One) and Jimmy Vasser with former International Formula 3000 drivers Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian.October 27, 2000 Junqueira and Minassian to Drive for Team Target in 2001 https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1027_01.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20251103021642/https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1027_01.html November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 SpeedCenter With Adrián Fernández driving for his self-owned Fernández Racing alongside Shinji Nakano,October 28, 2000 Fernandez Racing To Enter CART FedEx Championship Series https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1028_01.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20251103221538/https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1028_01.html November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 Speedcenter Vasser took Fernández's seat at Patrick Racing and 2000 Formula Nippon champion Tora Takagi took Nakano's seat in Walker Racing.December 3, 2000 CHAMPCAR/CART: Patrick signs Vasser for 2001 https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-patrick-signs-vasser-for-2001/1853118/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251103222128/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-patrick-signs-vasser-for-2001/1853118/ November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 Motorsport.com Jackson, MichiganNovember 29, 2000 Walker Racing Announces New Driver and Engine Supplier for 2001 https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1129_00.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104174538/https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1129_00.html November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 SpeedCenter At Newman/Haas Racing, Cristiano da Matta replaced Michael Andretti,November 8, 2000 da Matta To Join Fittipaldi At Newman/Haas Racing For 2001 https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1108_00.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20251103223626/https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n1108_00.html November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 SpeedCenter who ended a six-year partnership with the team to join Team Green's satellite organization, Team Motorola.CHAMPCAR/CART: Andretti, Green, Motorola team up for 2001 https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-andretti-green-motorola-team-up-for-2001/1840774/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251103025243/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-andretti-green-motorola-team-up-for-2001/1840774/ November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 Motorsport.com Mark Blundell departed PacWest Racing due to his poor finishes over the past two seasonsSeptember 10, 2000 Mark Blundell to Depart PacWest at Season's End https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n0910_02.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104025906/https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n0910_02.html November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 SpeedCenter and was replaced by 2000 Indy Lights champion Scott Dixon.January 17, 2001 CHAMPCAR/CART: Scott Dixon to drive for PacWest https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-scott-dixon-to-drive-for-pacwest/1856102/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104030827/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-scott-dixon-to-drive-for-pacwest/1856102/ November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 Motorsport.com The newly formed Arciero Brooke Racing signed rookie competitor Max Wilson.CHAMPCAR/CART: Brooke Racing debuts in champ cars https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-brooke-racing-debuts-in-champ-cars/1856242/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104042516/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-brooke-racing-debuts-in-champ-cars/1856242/ November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 Motorsport.com After a two-year absence from the series, Alex Zanardi returned in a second entry for Mo Nunn Racing.December 6, 2000 CHAMPCAR/CART: Zanardi, Pioneer, Honda join Kanaan, Hollywood for 2001 https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-zanardi-pioneer-honda-join-kanaan-hollywood-for-2001/1853330/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251103030130/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-zanardi-pioneer-honda-join-kanaan-hollywood-for-2001/1853330/ November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 Motorsport.com The race at Monterrey debuted a new engine formula that CART mandated which reduced the maximum amount of manifold pressure from 40 in mm out to 37 in mm out in an attempt to decrease the cars' speeds and improve competitiveness.September 10, 2000 CART Announces Turbo Pressure Reduction to Slow Champ Cars During 2001, 2002 FedEx Series Seasons https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n0910_01.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104192235/https://speedcenter.com/archive/news00/sc_n0910_01.html November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 SpeedCenter Castroneves and de Ferran both anticipated the race in Monterrey, despite the latter's lack of testing with the new aerodynamic package in the offseason.March 6, 2001 Marlboro Team Penske Looking Forward To The 2001 Season And The Inaugural Race In Monterrey, Mexico http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=54 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325011319/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=54 March 25, 2003 November 4, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Da Matta and Christian Fittipaldi both acknowledged the uncertainties of preparing a racing setup at a circuit which the drivers had not raced on before, with da Matta commenting that "no one will still have it completely figured out."March 8, 2001 CHAMPCAR/CART: Fittipaldi and da Matta ready for Monterrey https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-fittipaldi-and-da-matta-ready-for-monterrey/1864303/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104200003/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-fittipaldi-and-da-matta-ready-for-monterrey/1864303/ November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Paul Tracy believed the challenges of the new track in Monterrey would "level the playing field" and expressed excitement after completing several tests in the offseason.March 9, 2001 Team KOOL Green Is Ready for Mexico http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=75 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030125183748/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=75 January 25, 2003 November 4, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Fernández—one of two Mexican drivers competing in the race—aimed to avoid driving aggressively in order to finish well; he also admitted that he was suffering from wrist pain caused by intersection syndrome.March 9, 2001 Fernandez Racing Ready for Debut at Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=74 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030328023425/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=74 March 28, 2003 November 4, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Practice Three practice sessions preceded the race on Sunday, two on Friday and one on Saturday. The sessions ran for 120 minutes on Friday morning, 105 minutes on Friday afternoon, and 90 minutes on Saturday morning.February 1, 2001 CHAMPCAR/CART: Monterrey schedule of events https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-monterrey-schedule-of-events/1859218/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251104224212/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-monterrey-schedule-of-events/1859218/ November 4, 2025 November 4, 2025 Motorsport.com Castroneves lapped the fastest time of the first session at 1 minute and 43.539, nearly three seconds quicker than second-place Fittipaldi; Michael Krumm, Roberto Moreno, and Maurício Gugelmin rounded out the top five.Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Practice 1 Results http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=8 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020804075013/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=8 August 4, 2002 November 4, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Despite the session being held under warm and sunny conditions,March 9, 2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Friday Morning Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=83 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021117223406/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=83 November 17, 2002 November 4, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams several drivers opted to use rain tires to navigate through the slickened track surface.Oreovicz John March 9, 2001 Friday Monterrey Notebook http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=87 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021117223911/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=87 November 17, 2002 November 4, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams CART Chief Steward Chris Kneifel called off the first session after 40 minutes and allowed the support series to commence their practice sessions in order to add grip to the surface. The second practice session was also extended by 30 minutes.March 10, 2001 Tracy, Franchitti Struggle for Grip in Mexico http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=94 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021118025558/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=94 November 18, 2002 November 5, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams De Ferran became the fastest driver of the day during the second session by posting a time of 1 minute, 18.581 seconds, beating da Matta, Castroneves, Kenny Bräck, and Patrick Carpentier.March 9, 2001 2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Practice 2 Results http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=9 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110141846/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=9 January 10, 2003 November 5, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Six red flags were issued during the session; the first was for a collision in turn ten involving Castroneves and Tracy, the second for Andretti spinning and Minassian subsequently stalling in turn eleven, the third for a track clean-up, the fourth for Junqueira spinning and stalling in turn eleven, the fifth for Carpenter spinning and stalling in turn two, and the sixth for Tracy slamming into a wall at the exit of turn twelve.March 9, 2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Friday Afternoon Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=85 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021117223827/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=85 November 17, 2002 November 5, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams On Saturday morning, the weather conditions had become cloudy and teams utilized rain tires once again, although no rain was forecasted to interrupt on-track activity.March 10, 2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Saturday Morning Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=103 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114121823/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=103 November 14, 2002 November 5, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Dario Franchitti led the third practice session with a fastest time of 1 minute and 16.349 seconds. De Ferran was three tenths of a second slower in second, followed by da Matta in third, Tony Kanaan fourth, and Dixon fifth.2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Practice 3 Results http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=10 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110142352/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=10 January 10, 2003 November 5, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams The session was paused for 28 minutes to repair a dislodged layer of bricks beneath the turf in the fifth and sixth turns. After a stoppage for a spin involving da Matta in turn four, the session was brought to an early end when Zanardi's engine burst into flames on the front stretch. While Zanardi was uninjured, the incident forced him to resort to a backup car.March 10, 2001 Mo Nunn Racing/ Alex Zanardi - Monterrey Saturday Notes And Quotes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=116 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114115115/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=116 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Qualifying thumb|253x253px|Kenny Bräck (pictured in 2012) won the first pole position of his CART career. Saturday afternoon's 75-minute qualifying session implemented a new format which split the competitors into two groups based on their placement in the Drivers' Championship the previous season. Each group was permitted 30 minutes of time to put down laps, with a 15-minute interval in between the groups, and the race's starting order would be determined by the drivers' fastest laps.September 10, 2000 CHAMPCAR/CART: 2001 Weekend race schedule announced https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-2001-weekend-race-schedule-announced/1836915/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251106021711/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-2001-weekend-race-schedule-announced/1836915/ November 6, 2025 November 6, 2025 Motorsport.com Conditions cooled during the qualifying session, which improved the track surface and increased speeds.March 10, 2001 Patrick Racing Qualifies Both Cars In Top-10 For Tomorrow's Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented By Herdez http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=120 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114115610/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=120 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Bräck earned his first career pole position with a fastest time of 1 minute and 15.244 seconds.March 10, 2001 Brack's Monterrey Pole Gives Rahal Reason to Smile http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=107 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110135446/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=107 January 10, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams He was joined on the grid's front row by da Matta, who was 0.195 seconds slower and held the pole position until Bräck's lap.2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Qualifying Results http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=11 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110142425/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=11 January 10, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing TeamsMarch 11, 2001 Da Matta Takes Front Row Spot for GP of Monterrey http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=110 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114115303/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=110 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams De Ferran persevered through extreme stomach pains to qualify third, one spot ahead of teammate Castroneves, while Andretti's lap at the end of the session improved his position from the middle of the grid to fifth.March 10, 2001 Monterrey Saturday Notebook http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=108 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121170407/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=108 January 21, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Despite spinning in turn two, Carpentier matched his career-best qualifying effort on road courses in sixth.March 10, 2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Saturday Afternoon Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=114 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110134851/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=114 January 10, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing TeamsMarch 10, 2001 Career-Best Qualifying Effort On Road Course Puts Team Player's Carpentier On Row 3 For Grand Prix Of Monterrey http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=115 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114120114/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=115 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Franchitti, Oriol Servià, and Patrick Racing teammates Vasser and Moreno rounded out the top-ten qualifiers. Max Papis struggled with a loss of grip as the session progressed and qualified 11th,March 10, 2001 Team Rahal - Brack Wins The Pole For Monterrey http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=124 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114120535/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=124 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams ahead of Kanaan in 12th and Alex Tagliani in 13th. Dixon, who took 14th, was the highest-qualifying rookie in the grid.March 11, 2001 PacWest Racing Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=155 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121170052/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=155 January 21, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Tracy only mustered a 15th-place qualifying effort due to his poorly handling car.March 10, 2001 Franchitti & Tracy Qualify 7th & 15th For Mexico http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=118 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030321231339/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=118 March 21, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Fittipaldi, in 16th, experienced numerous mechanical issues throughout the weekend and complained of a lack of grip.March 10, 2001 Da Matta Qualified Second, Fittipaldi 16th For Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=117 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114114011/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=117 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Gugelmin, Bryan Herta, Fernández (who spun in turn four with one minute left in the session), and Junqueira took the remaining positions in the top-20. Minassian believed traffic prevented him from qualifying higher than 21st. Zanardi took 22nd, with Krumm in 23rd, Michel Jourdain Jr. 24th, Takagi 25th, and Wilson 26th. Nakano caused the lone stoppage of the qualifying session on his sixth lap when he spun into the tire barrier in turn seven, leaving him to start 27th.March 11, 2001 Fernandez Racing - Monterrey Saturday Quotes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=121 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114114848/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=121 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Luiz Garcia Jr. had difficulties with oversteer and took the 28th and final position on the grid.March 10, 2001 Krumm, Garcia Improve Times; Ready to Start Racing Season Right http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=106 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121170430/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=106 January 21, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Qualifying classification Pos Position No. Car Number Driver Team Time Speed Speed in MPH Grid Final starting grid position1 8SWE Kenny BräckTeam Rahal1:15.244100.665 12 6BRA Cristiano da MattaNewman/Haas Racing1:15.439100.404 23 1BRA Gil de FerranTeam Penske1:15.551100.255 34 3BRA Hélio CastronevesTeam Penske1:15.580100.217 45 39USA Michael AndrettiTeam Motorola1:16.10499.527 56 32CAN Patrick CarpentierForsythe Racing1:16.35399.202 67 27SCO Dario FranchittiTeam Green1:16.37599.174 78 22ESP Oriol ServiàSigma Autosport1:16.4499.084 89 40USA Jimmy VasserPatrick Racing1:16.45699.069 910 20BRA Roberto MorenoPatrick Racing1:16.48499.032 1011 7ITA Max PapisTeam Rahal1:16.51298.996 1112 55BRA Tony KanaanMo Nunn Racing1:16.64798.822 1213 33CAN Alex TaglianiForsythe Racing1:16.71698.733 1314 18NZL Scott DixonPacWest Racing1:16.82698.592 1415 26CAN Paul TracyTeam Green1:16.90998.485 1516 11BRA Christian FittipaldiNewman/Haas Racing1:16.93798.449 1617 17BRA Maurício GugelminPacWest Racing1:17.00598.362 1718 77USA Bryan HertaForsythe Racing1:17.13798.194 1819 51MEX Adrian FernándezFernández Racing1:17.27098.025 1920 4BRA Bruno JunqueiraChip Ganassi Racing1:17.50597.728 2021 12FRA Nicolas MinassianChip Ganassi Racing1:17.75097.646 2122 66ITA Alex ZanardiMo Nunn Racing1:17.85197.294 2223 19GER Michael KrummDale Coyne Racing1:17.91497.215 2324 16MEX Michel Jourdain Jr.Bettenhausen Racing1:18.38196.636 2425 5JAP Toranosuke TakagiWalker Racing1:18.99195.889 2526 25BRA Max WilsonArciero Brooke Racing1:19.29495.523 2627 52JAP Shinji NakanoFernández Racing1:19.36295.441 2728 21BRA Luiz Garcia Jr.Dale Coyne Racing1:20.93193.591 28Source:2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez Qualifying Results Championship Auto Racing Teams March 10, 2001 http://www.cart.com:80/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=11 May 31, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20030110142425/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=11 January 10, 2003 dead Warm-up The drivers took to the track on Sunday at 11:00 AM CST (UTC−06:00) for a 30-minute warmup session. Castroneves turned the quickest lap of the session with a time of 1 minute and 16.425 seconds, besting second-fastest driver Bräck by four tenths of a second. Andretti was third, Junqueira fourth, and Kanaan fifth.March 11, 2001 Castroneves Leads Final Practice http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=125 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030321232603/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=125 March 21, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Garcia Jr., Junqueira, and Papis all drove off-course and Jourdain Jr.'s car expelled debris onto the track, although the red flag was not issued until Garcia Jr. spun and stalled in turn one with two minutes remaining, forcing the session to prematurely end.March 11, 2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Sunday Morning Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=126 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114120031/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=126 November 14, 2002 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Race As sunlight remerged above the circuit, weather conditions warmed significantly, with air temperatures reaching 86 F C on and track temperatures measuring around 106 F C on.March 11, 2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Sunday Afternoon Press Notes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=147 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325012725/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=147 March 25, 2003 November 6, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Multiple accidents were expected to occur throughout the race, especially at instances when the field would be bunched together. Mexican businessman José Antonio Fernández Carbajal and Governor of Nuevo León Fernando Canales Clariond commanded the drivers to start their engines and the green flag was waved at 3:06 PM CST to signify the start of the race. Bräck used the pole position to his advantage and pulled ahead of da Matta at the exit of the first corner, while Castroneves passed de Ferran for third.March 11, 2001 Da Matta Christens New Ride With Monterrey Win http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010311b.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010609045412/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010311b.html June 9, 2001 November 7, 2025 SpeedVision Monterrey, Mexico Behind the leaders, Zanardi made slight contact with Minassian and sent Junqueira spinning in the seventh turn.Phillips David March 11, 2001 David Phillips' Sunday Monterrey Notebook http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010311c.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010619035547/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010311c.html June 19, 2001 November 7, 2025 SpeedVision Junqueira stalled and restarted his car with the assistance of track marshals, although he was assessed a drive-through penalty for pulling away while a tow rope was still attached to his car. Junqueira, now two laps behind the leaders, contacted the rear of Minassian's car on lap 6 and received no damage. Bräck's 3.8-second lead was diminished when Wilson crashed into the turn-twelve wall while attempting to pass Minassian on the ninth lap, resulting in the first full-course caution flag of the race.March 13, 2001 Max Wilson Retires Early After A Good Performance http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=166 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020918052419/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=166 September 18, 2002 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Fittipaldi and Zanardi were among the few competitors who made pit stops for fuel. Bräck remained on the track and led the field back up to speed at the restart on lap 14, ahead of da Matta and Castroneves. Eight laps later, Fittipaldi spun at the exit of turn twelve, but quickly restarted his car. Moreno slid into the marbles at the same corner on lap 23 and slammed into the wall, prompting the second caution.March 11, 2001 Jimmy Vasser Has Sucessfuly Debut With Patrick Racing Finishing Sixth At Season Opening Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented By Herdez http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=161 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021217230345/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=161 December 17, 2002 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Many of the leaders, including Bräck, used the caution period to fill up their fuel tanks. A small fire was ignited and extinguished on the right side of Kanaan's car. Dixon, Herta, and Fernández, meanwhile, stayed on the track and inherited the first three positions when the race resumed on lap 28, although Fernández was quickly relegated to seventh place as Bräck improved to third. That same lap, Zanardi collided with Andretti and spun at the exit of turn five. He drove off with the track marshals' assistance. left|thumb|250x250px|Cristiano da Matta (pictured in 2006) led the final 18 laps and earned his second CART victory. Herta gave up the second position to refuel his car on lap 36; he rejoined the race in 22nd.March 15, 2001 Zakspeed/Forsythe Racing Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=168 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121170304/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=168 January 21, 2003 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Two laps later, Dixon made a pit stop for fuel and ceded the lead to Bräck, while Carpentier retired from the race after smoke began spewing from his car.March 11, 2001 Promising Start Turns Into Frustrating Finish for Team Player's http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=141 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121170019/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=141 January 21, 2003 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams On the 40th lap, Zanardi hit the rear of Nakano's car and sent both cars off-course in the fifth corner. While Nakano was able to continue, Zanardi's damage was deemed terminal and he retired from the race. Bräck held a three-second lead over da Matta until his engine briefly stalled on lap 43, allowing da Matta to take the first position. Takagi spun and made no contact while entering pit road on the 48th lap.March 14, 2001 Walker Racing Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=151 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121165230/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=151 January 21, 2003 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Meanwhile, the battle for the lead began to intensify on lap 53 as Bräck overtook da Matta in turn ten, but drove off-course and lost the lead in the next corner. He then closed the gap on da Matta on lap 56 and attempted to pass him in turn six, only to apply the brakes with excessive force and lose more ground. Bräck finally made his stop at the end of that same lap, along with Tracy and Kanaan. Da Matta stayed on-track until the 57th lap, when he, de Ferran, Andretti, and Tagliani made stops for fuel. Franchitti assumed the lead in the meantime and set the fastest lap of the race on lap 59. He made his stop two laps later and rejoined the race in third, behind da Matta and de Ferran, but was handed a drive-through penalty for exceeding the speed limit on pit road and fell to ninth. On lap 64, Bräck drove off-course in turn one and quickly regained control. Da Matta held a 4.3-second lead over de Ferran before Fittipaldi slammed the wall at turn twelve, causing the third full-course caution to be flown. Under the caution period, Kniefel announced that the race would end when it reached a duration of two hours. Herta was the lone driver to make a pit stop for fuel. Dixon was also expected to pit, but stayed on the track due to miscommunication with his team.Phillips David March 14, 2001 Pleasant Surprises Abound in Fundidora Park http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=153 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030325010429/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=153 March 25, 2003 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Da Matta led at the lap-73 restart and held the lead for the remaining five laps to earn his second CART win, 1.982 seconds ahead of de Ferran. Tracy finished third, Andretti fourth, and Bräck fifth.Miller Robin March 12, 2001 Da Matta Wins Tecate Telmex Monterrey GP http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=127 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114115507/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=127 November 14, 2002 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams The top-ten finishers were rounded out by Vasser, Kanaan, Castroneves, Franchitti, and Takagi, while the final classified finishes were Minassian, Papis, Dixon, Servià, Gugelmin, Herta, Jourdain Jr., and Nakano. There were five lead changes among four different drivers and three caution periods throughout the race. Da Matta led on two occasions for 32 laps, more than any other competitor. Post-race The top three drivers appeared on the podium to celebrate their respective finishes, with da Matta earning $100,000 for his win. During a post-race press conference, da Matta expressed gratitude towards his team for their diligence during the offseason: "The biggest thing of all was we worked very, very hard this off-season. The engineers and everybody were very focused on what we were doing, and were very, very methodical. I see now, it paid off."March 11, 2001 CHAMPCAR/CART: Monterrey GP race summary https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-monterrey-gp-race-summary/1865139/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251107214646/https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/champcar-cart-monterrey-gp-race-summary/1865139/ November 7, 2025 November 7, 2025 Motorsport.com Second-placed de Ferran was taken to a local hospital immediately after his podium appearance due to his stomach pains, which were worsened by gastroenteritis.Vettraino J. P. March 11, 2001 Little Big Man: CART's smallest driver wins the inaugural race in a big-hearted country https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2117991/little-big-man-carts-smallest-driver-wins-inaugural-race-big-hearted-country/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20210226062224/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2117991/little-big-man-carts-smallest-driver-wins-inaugural-race-big-hearted-country/ February 26, 2021 November 7, 2025 Autoweek Regarding his illness, he later said: "It was unfortunate that I became sick because I wasn't able to eat anything since Saturday morning and I really was feeling bad. Once I got in the car, all of the enthusiasm from the great fans in Mexico kept me going."March 12, 2001 Marlboro Team Penske Post-Race Quotes http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=140 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114120200/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=140 November 14, 2002 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Tracy was pleased with his third-place result despite his many adversities in the weekend, stating: "We were disappointed with our qualifying yesterday, but we knew we'd have a good car for the race. We're going to have to have about 20 more days like this to win the championship."March 12, 2001 Tracy Third, Franchitti Ninth in Mexico http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=138 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114120429/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=138 November 14, 2002 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Andretti was happy with finishing fourth, although he believed that his best performance of the season was still yet to come.March 12, 2001 Andretti Finishes Fourth At Monterrey http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=148 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021018064350/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=148 October 18, 2002 November 7, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Bräck was conversely disappointed with his fifth-place finish and confused by his engine issues which cost him the victory: "I was coming around one of the turns and "boom" - the engine cut off all of a sudden. It took me half a second to recycle it and turn it back on, but after that we didn't have a problem all race."March 12, 2001 Mexico Post-Race Spin http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010312a.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010619035946/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010312a.html June 19, 2001 November 7, 2025 SpeedVision Fernández explained his decision not to make a pit stop during the final caution period after running out of fuel with three laps remaining: "If we would have stopped, we would have finished at the end of the line and it wasn't worth it. Our only hope was for another yellow to help us finish the race. Sometimes you have to do that, and this time we were a little bit more optimistic than other times."March 12, 2001 Fernandez Racing Report http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=139 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021114120031/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=139 November 14, 2002 November 15, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Zanardi took accountability for his poor outing in his return to CART and admitted that he should have been more patient during the race.March 15, 2001 Mo Nunn Racing Notes, Quotes & Analysis http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=169 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030121165302/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=169 January 21, 2003 November 15, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams With 116,000 spectators attending the race and 318,000 spectators attending the weekend's festivities, the event was considered a massive success for CART's return to Mexico. David Phillips of SpeedVision called the event a "much-needed grand slam for CART," and Autoweek's J. P. Vettraino regarded the race as a "winner," despite issues with the track conditions during the practice sessions. Veteran motorsports journalist Robin Miller praised the fans for acting "enthusiastic, yet respectful" and bringing an "electric atmosphere."Miller Robin March 12, 2001 CART's Return to Mexico Well Worth the Wait http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=146 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20021217224939/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=146 December 17, 2002 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Fernando Canales Clariond was pleased with the event, stating: "We broke a world record for a first-time event. Monterrey is now known all over the world as a place where quality things happen. From my point of view, not only did we pass this first test, we got an 'A', and we'll get better."November 26, 2001 CART Announces Domestic And International Attendance Leaders http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=2510 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030123191618/http://www.cart.com/News/Article.asp?ID=2510 January 23, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams The race's success spurred a second event in Mexico which was held on Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and included on the series' schedule beginning in 2002.September 6, 2001 CART To Race in Mexico City http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010906a.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20011124143721/http://www.speedvision.com/pub/articles/racing/03CART/010906a.html November 24, 2001 November 16, 2025 SpeedVision The result gave da Matta the lead in the Drivers' Championship with 21 points, five more than de Ferran in second and seven more than Tracy in third. Andretti took fourth with 12 points and Bräck was fifth on 11. In the Constructors' Championship, Lola held the first position on 21 points, with Reynard trailing by four points. Toyota earned the lead in the Manufacturers' Championship with 21 points; Honda took second place on 16 points, Ford-Cosworth was third with 11, and Phoenix was left fourth without any points as twenty races remained in the season.April 3, 2001 Tecate Monterrey Grand Prix Race Report - 2001 https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-267db3ef86df78047b25d1004c34c84f-tecate-monterrey-grand-prix-race-report-2001 live November 16, 2025 HondaStandings as of Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez http://www.cart.com/Standings.asp?EventID=1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010610031413/http://www.cart.com/Standings.asp?EventID=1 June 10, 2001 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Race classification Pos PositionNo. Car NumberDriverTeamLapsTime/RetiredGrid Final starting grid positionPts. Points1 6BRA Cristiano da MattaNewman/Haas Racing782:00:44.856 2 211 12 1BRA Gil de FerranTeam Penske78 +1.9823163 26CAN Paul TracyTeam Green78 +2.80215144 39USA Michael AndrettiTeam Motorola78 +4.931 5 125 8SWE Kenny BräckTeam Rahal78 +5.4111112 26 40USA Jimmy VasserPatrick Racing78 +5.71098755BRA Tony KanaanMo Nunn Racing78 +6.37512683BRA Hélio CastronevesTeam Penske78 +7.24445927SCO Dario FranchittiTeam Green78 +7.5807410 5JAP Toranosuke TakagiWalker Racing78 +17.4572531112FRA Nicolas MinassianChip Ganassi Racing78 +24.227212127ITA Max PapisTeam Rahal78 +24.9811111318NZL Scott DixonPacWest Racing78 +31.435141422ESP Oriol ServiàSigma Autosport78 +32.35481517BRA Maurício GugelminPacWest Racing78 +32.733171677USA Bryan HertaForsythe Racing78 +33.745181716MEX Michel Jourdain Jr.Bettenhausen Racing78 +34.376241852JAP Shinji NakanoFernández Racing76 +2 laps271951MEX Adrian FernándezFernández Racing75Out of fuel192011BRA Christian FittipaldiNewman/Haas Racing66Contact162133CAN Alex TaglianiForsythe Racing60Overheating13224BRA Bruno JunqueiraChip Ganassi Racing57Water leak202319GER Michael KrummDale Coyne Racing51Mechanical232466ITA Alex ZanardiMo Nunn Racing39Contact222532CAN Patrick CarpentierForsythe Racing38Electronics62621BRA Luiz Garcia Jr.Dale Coyne Racing37Mechanical282720BRA Roberto MorenoPatrick Racing21Contact102825BRA Max WilsonArciero Brooke Racing7Contact26Sources:2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez Championship Auto Racing Teams March 11, 2001 http://www.cart.com:80/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=13 May 31, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20030110141918/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=13 January 10, 2003 dead March 11, 2001 FedEx Championship Series Race No. 1 http://www.cart.com/Content/PDF/Results/2001/20010311PDFR_0006.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030623135608/http://www.cart.com/Content/PDF/Results/2001/20010311PDFR_0006.pdf June 23, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams2001 Monterrey GP Results http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/motorsports/news/2001/03/11/cart_results_ap/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20020119225328/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/motorsports/news/2001/03/11/cart_results_ap/ January 19, 2002 November 16, 2025 Sports Illustrated2001 Tecate Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Presented by Herdez - Race Results http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=13 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030110141918/http://www.cart.com/Results/SessionResults.asp?ID=13 January 10, 2003 November 16, 2025 Championship Auto Racing Teams Notes 1 1 – Includes one bonus point for leading the most laps.http://pdfsr.com/pdf/cart-2001-rule-book-electronic-version-1 CART FedEx Championship Series - 2001 Rule Book Championship Auto Racing Teams March 2001 https://web.archive.org/web/20160528174124/http://pdfsr.com/pdf/cart-2001-rule-book-electronic-version-1 2016-05-28 bot: unknown 2017-05-22 2 2 – Includes one bonus point for being the fastest qualifier. Standings after the race + Drivers' Championship standings Pos. Position Driver Points10px|alt=Unchanged1BRA Cristiano da Matta2110px|alt=Unchanged2BRA Gil de Ferran16 (–5)10px|alt=Unchanged3CAN Paul Tracy14 (–7)10px|alt=Unchanged4USA Michael Andretti12 (–9)10px|alt=Unchanged5SWE Kenny Bräck11 (–10) Sources: + Constructors' Championship standings Pos. Position Constructor Points 10px 1GBR Lola 21 10px 2GBR Reynard 17 (–4) Source: + Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos. Position Manufacturer Points 10px 1JPN Toyota 21 10px 2JPN Honda 16 (–5) 10px 3GBR Ford-Cosworth 11 (–10) 10px 4GBR Phoenix 0 (–21) Sources: Note: Only the top five positions are included for the drivers' standings. References Tecate/Telmex Grand Prix of Monterrey 2001 2000 Marlboro 500 2001 Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix — 2002 Tecate/Telmex Monterrey Grand Prix Monterrey Grand Prix, 2001 Category:March 2001 sports events in Mexico Category:2001 in Mexican motorsport