2003 San Marino Grand Prix

The 2003 San Marino Grand Prix, officially advertised as the Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003, was the fourth race of the FIA Formula One World Championship, which took place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, on 20 April 2003.'San Marino GP, 2003', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr701.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher kick-start his title defence with a first victory of the season, just hours after himself and brother Ralf lost their mother Elizabeth.
Qualifying had seen the two Schumacher brothers duel for pole position, with Michael emerging ahead in the #1 by 0.014s. Rubens Barrichello was next ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya, while Championship leader Kimi Räikkönen started from sixth behind Mark Webber.
The start of the race saw their fight continue, with the #4 scrambling ahead of the Ferrari to claim the lead. THe rest of the field were led by Barrichello and Montoya, while a software glitch for Webber saw his crawl off the grid, sending the field scattering across the circuit.
The big winner from Webber's issue was David Coulthard, who leapt from twelfth to eighth in the chaos despite having to take to the grass. Fortunately there were no collisions or incidents, with the field making it through the rest of the opening lap without issue.
The early stages of the race was all about the duel for victory between the two Schumachers, with Ralf putting up a ferocious defence from Michael. Indeed, the two were in a league of their own in the early stages, with Barrichello and Montoya left to have a half-hearted fight for third with Räikkönen.
Unfortunately the Schumacher battle would only last until the first round of stops, with Michael stopping two laps later to leap ahead of his brother to claim the lead. With that the #1 Ferrari was away, pulling clear by a second a lap to leave Ralf looking in his mirrors at Barrichello.
Behind there was little action to be had, despite the efforts of Giancarlo Fisichella, who would elbow his way past Cristiano da Matta before setting up a move on Jarno Trulli. Unfortunately, the Italian's lunge at the at Rivazza on lap 34 would end with the pair clattering together, allowing da Matta to sweep back ahead. This would be the only series of on-track overtakes after the opening lap.
Out front, meanwhile, Ralf Schumacher and Barrichello played pit-stop leap-frog, with three-stop strategies for both seeing Barrichello briefly get ahead by stopping later, only for an issue on everyone of his stops to put him behind the Williams. Ultimately, however, it was not to be for either driver, as Räikkönen emerged in second on a superior two-stop strategy, before Barrichello pounced on a Williams blunder in Ralf's second stop to claim third.
With that the race was run, with Michael Schumacher cruising across the line to claim victory ahead of Räikkönen. Barrichello completed a rather sombre podium, which saw no champagne spraying as a mark of respect, with Ralf Schumacher claiming fourth ahead of Coulthard, Fernando Alonso, Montoya and Jenson Button.
==Background==
Kimi Räikkönen extended his Championship lead despite his late demotion in Brazil, leaving São Paulo with 24 points. David Coulthard had likewise retained second, but slipped nine behind his teammate, while Fernando Alonso was up to third, and cleared to race in San Marino. Race winner Giancarlo Fisichella, meanwhile, was the big winner as he leapt up into fourth, with Jarno Trulli completing the top five.
In the Constructors Championship it was who continued to lead the way, holding 39 points after three races in . , meanwhile, had moved into second on 23 points, while had slipped back to third, only ahead of on countback. were next after their rare win, with and the other scorers.
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2002 	 	051 3.0 V10 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2002 	 	051 3.0 V10 	
3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW25 	 	P83 3.0 V10 	
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW25 	 	P83 3.0 V10 	
5 	David Coulthard 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-17D 	 	FO 110P 3.0 V10 	
6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-17D 	 	FO 110P 3.0 V10 	
7 	Jarno Trulli 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R23 	 	RS23 3.0 V10 	
8 	Fernando Alonso 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R23 	 	RS23 3.0 V10 	
9 	Nick Heidfeld 	Sauber Petronas 	 	C22 	 	03A 3.0 V10 	
10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Sauber Petronas 	 	C22 	 	03A 3.0 V10 	
11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	Jordan Ford 	 	EJ13 	 	RS1 3.0 V10 	
12 	Ralph Firman 	Jordan Ford 	 	EJ13 	 	RS1 3.0 V10 	
14 	Mark Webber 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R4 	 	CR-5 3.0 V10 	
15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R4 	 	CR-5 3.0 V10 	
16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	005 	 	RA003E 3.0 V10 	
17 	Jenson Button 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	005 	 	RA003E 3.0 V10 	
18 	Justin Wilson 	European Minardi F1 Team 	 	PS03 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
19 	Jos Verstappen 	European Minardi F1 Team 	 	PS03 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
20 	Olivier Panis 	Panasonic Toyota Racing 	 	TF103 	 	RVX-03 3.0 V10 	
21 	Cristiano da Matta 	Panasonic Toyota Racing 	 	TF103 	 	RVX-03 3.0 V10 	
Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only
34 	Allan McNish 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R23 	 	RS23 3.0 V10 	
39 	Matteo Bobbi 	European Minardi F1 Team 	 	PS03 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
==Pre-Race Testing==
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Gap 	Laps
1 	15 	Antonio Pizzonia 	 	1:23.099 	 	33
2 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:23.239 	+0.140 	31
3 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:23.457 	+0.358 	37
4 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:23.885 	+0.786 	30
5 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:24.003 	+0.904 	25
6 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:24.298 	+1.199 	45
7 	34 	Allan McNish 	 	1:25.264 	+2.165 	20
8 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:25.905 	+2.806 	24
9 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:26.374 	+3.275 	30
10 	39 	Matteo Bobbi 	 	1:29.433 	+6.334 	17
Source:'San Marino 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104023001/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/sanmarino/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104023001/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/sanmarino/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104023001/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/sanmarino/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104023001/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/sanmarino/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104023001/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/sanmarino/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104023001/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/sanmarino/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104023001/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/sanmarino/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Q1 Report===
===Q2 Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Time 	Gap
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Q1 	Q2 	Gap
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:20.628 	1:22.327 	—
2 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:21.193 	1:22.341 	+0.014s
3 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:21.082 	1:22.557 	+0.230s
4 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:21.490 	1:22.789 	+0.462s
5 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:21.669 	1:23.015 	+0.688s
6 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:22.147 	1:23.148 	+0.821s
7 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:21.926 	1:23.160 	+0.833s
8 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:22.809 	1:23.169 	+0.842s
9 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	1:21.891 	1:23.381 	+1.054s
10 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:22.765 	1:23.460 	+1.133s
11 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:22.911 	1:23.700 	+1.373s
12 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:22.326 	1:23.818 	+1.491s
13 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	1:24.854 	1:23.838 	+1.511s
14 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:22.531 	1:23.932 	+1.605s
15 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:22.919 	1:24.147 	+1.820s
16 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:23.100 	1:24.190 	+1.863s
17 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:22.724 	1:24.317 	+1.990s
18 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:25.195 	1:25.826 	+3.499s
19 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:24.360 	1:26.357 	+4.030s
20 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:24.990 	2:01.007 	+38.680s
Source:'San Marino: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Foster's di San Marino 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/740/san-marino/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
** Wilson, Firman and Verstappen all started the race from the pitlane.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	62 	1:28:12.058 	1 	10
2 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	62 	+1.882s 	6 	8
3 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	62 	+2.291s 	3 	6
4 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	62 	+8.803s 	2 	5
5 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	62 	+9.411s 	12 	4
6 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	62 	+43.689s 	8 	3
7 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	62 	+45.271s 	4 	2
8 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	61 	+1 Lap 	9 	1
9 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	61 	+1 Lap 	10 	
10 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	61 	+1 Lap 	11 	
11 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	61 	+1 Lap 	14 	
12 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	61 	+1 Lap 	13 	
13 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	61 	+1 Lap 	16 	
14 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	60 	+2 Laps 	15 	
15* 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	57 	Engine 	17 	
Ret 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	54 	Driveshaft 	5 	
Ret 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	51 	Oil line 	19 	
Ret 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	38 	Electrical 	20 	
Ret 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	23 	Fuel rig 	18 	
Ret 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	19 	Engine 	7 	
Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'San Marino 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Fisichella was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* Michael Schumacher claimed his 65th career victory.'4. San Marino 2003', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/saint-marin.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
* secured their 160th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
==Standings==
Kimi Räikkönen once again extended his early grip on the Championship lead after a second straight second place, leaving San Marino on 32 points. David Coulthard remained in his younger teammate's shadow, slipping thirteen behind, while victory for Michael Schumacher had catapulted the German ace into third, a point behind the Scot. Fernando Alonso was one of those to make way for Schumacher, slipping to fourth, with Rubens Barrichello moving into fifth.
In the Constructors Championship had continued their bid to build a lead, and would leave Italy with nineteen points in hand. had moved up to be the Anglo-German squad's closest challengers, with slipping six behind the Italian squad. also made some minor ground in fourth, with completing the top five.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Kimi Räikkönen 	32 	
2 	David Coulthard 	19 	
3 	Michael Schumacher 	18 	5
4 	Fernando Alonso 	17 	1
5 	Rubens Barrichello 	14 	2
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	13 	3
7 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	10 	3
8 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	10 	2
9 	Jarno Trulli 	9 	4
10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	7 	
11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	3 	
12 	Jenson Button 	3 	
13 	Nick Heidfeld 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	51 	
2 	 	32 	1
3 	 	26 	1
4 	 	23 	
5 	 	10 	
6 	 	8 	
7 	 	6 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:San Marino Grand Prix
Category:2003 Grands Prix
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Formula One races in Italy