Michael Schumacher wins Brazilian Grand Prix

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Germany's Michael Schumacher won the Brazilian Grand Prix Sunday, his second victory of the Formula One season.

Schumacher, who also won the season opener at Melbourne in his Ferrari, completed the 71-lap race on the 2.671-mile Jose Carlos Pace track at an average speed of 124.525 mph.

"The season could not have started better," Schumacher said.

David Coulthard of McLaren finished second, 4.302 seconds behind. Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella of the Benetton team was third, followed by Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Jordan teammate Jano Trulli of Italy.

Pole-sitter Mika Hakkinen, driving a McLaren, burst into the early lead, followed closely by Schumacher, who sped past a slow-starting Coulthard - No.2 on the starting grid. But the defending champion's lead only lasted until the start of the second lap when Schumacher overtook him.

At about the same time, Schumacher's teammate, Rubens Barrichello, sped past Coulthard into third place behind Hakkinen.

Encouraged by close to 70,000 cheering, flag-waving fans, Barrichello, the hometown hero, overtook Hakkinen on the 15th lap.

When Schumacher went in for his first pit stop, after his 20th lap, the crowd went wild as Barrichello surged into the lead followed by Hakkinen.

Barrichello pitted in the 22nd lap and Hakkinen assumed the lead. The Brazilian returned to the track 11 seconds later in fourth place behind Coulthard, who by then had lost his third gear.

Any hopes of Barrichello become the first Brazilian to win the race since Ayrton Senna's victory in 1993, ended in the 27th lap when the Ferrari driver dropped out with problems in his car's hydraulic system.

"I am disappointed with what happened," Barrichello said. "The car was going well and then I felt there was a problem with the hydraulic system, which affected the steering wheel and then spread to the throttle.

"It's a shame I was unable to satisfy the Brazilian fans."

Oil pressure problems forced Hakkinen to abandon the race in the 30th lap, turning over the lead to Schumacher, who retained it until receiving the checkered flag.

"We were quick throughout the weekend, so I'm not happy to leave Brazil without any points," Hakkinen said.

Asked about slowing down near the end of the race, allowing Coulthard to close the gap from 48 seconds to less than seven by the 69th lap, Schumacher said: "The team was not sure if I had a problem so they told me to take it easy. I drove very slowly through some corners, but I could have responded if I had needed."

Coulthard was pleased with finishing second.

"I lost third gear ... and also experienced a problem with the radio, which means I was unable to communicate with the team during the race," he said. "Had the race been trouble-free, I am sure we could have scored more points."

Of the 20 drivers who started the race, 11 finished.

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