2003 Spanish Grand Prix

The 2003 Spanish Grand Prix, officially known as the Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003, was the fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, on 4 May 2003.'Spanish GP, 2003', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr702.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher sweep to a dominant victory for , ahead of home hero Fernando Alonso of .
Qualifying for the race had seen Ferrari run unopposed at the head of the field, with Schumacher claiming pole position ahead of Rubens Barrichello. Alonso, meanwhile, would give the home fans hope by claiming third ahead of his teammate Jarno Trulli, while an awful session for Kimi Räikkönen left the Championship leader in last place.
The start of the race saw Alonso make the best start, although he was unable to exploit it as he got boxed in behind Barrichello. Indeed, the Brazilian ace had also got away smartly to challenge teammate Schumacher into the first corner, although his lunge around the outside of his teammate only resulted in the #2 Ferrari clipping the grass.
The lost momentum for Barrichello let Schumacher sprint clear, leaving the Brazilian racer to fend off Alonso through turn three. Behind, however, there was chaos, as Trulli tried to make up for a poor start, only to slam into David Coulthard and bring out the Safety Car. It was Räikkönen, however, who was the biggest victim, getting wiped out amid the chaos as the field scattered to avoid the collision.
Several teams and drivers would opt to make stops during the early SC laps, hence altering their strategies from three-stops to two-stops. However, none of the lead trio would stop, sticking with their three-stop plan, and would hence sprint clear together with lighter fuel when the race resumed.
Indeed, the fight for the lead quickly became a battle of strategies, with Barrichello dropping back to hold up Alonso, while Schumacher established a five second lead. However, the Spaniard would make an earlier stop than either of the Ferraris, and with clear air would halve Schumacher's lead and jump ahead of Barrichello.
However, Alonso ultimately lacked the pace to challenge Schumacher, with the German ace steadily pulling clear of the Renault during their second and third stints. Alonso himself, meanwhile, was able to keep Barrichello at arm's length, meaning the fight for the podium was effectively over with half of the race to run.
Behind, had used the SC to swap their strategies, and hence ran in fourth and fifth with Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. However, their race would be upset when Schumacher flew off the circuit and damaged his cooling system, allowing Cristiano da Matta in the to close in as Montoya swept past.
Into the closing stages and da Matta was throwing everything at Ralf Schumacher, although the crippled Williams had enough pace in the corners to keep the Toyota at bay. Mark Webber would also briefly join the fight, before fading badly as the final laps were concluded.
With that the race was run, with Michael Schumacher cruising across the line to claim victory, while the home fans were jubilant as Alonso swept to second. Barrichello had a lonely second half of the race to complete the podium, with Montoya, Ralf Schumacher, da Matta, Webber and Ralph Firman the remaining point scorers.
==Background==
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.
===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 	 	F2003-GA 	 	052 3.0 V10 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2003-GA 	 	052 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 	
Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
==Pre-Race Testing==
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Gap 	Laps
1 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:17.706 	 	43
2 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:17.991 	+0.285 	39
3 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:18.048 	+0.342 	37
4 	34 	Allan McNish 	 	1:18.625 	+0.919 	52
5 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:18.699 	+0.993 	44
6 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:18.731 	+1.025 	53
7 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:18.761 	+1.055 	43
8 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:21.036 	+3.330 	31
9 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:21.294 	+3.588 	29
Source:'Spanish 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104025856/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/spain/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Spanish 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104025856/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/spain/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Spanish 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104025856/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/spain/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Spanish 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104025856/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/spain/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Spanish 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104025856/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/spain/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Spanish 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104025856/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/spain/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Spanish 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104025856/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/spain/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 	 	1:17.130 	1:17.762 	—
2 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:17.218 	1:18.020 	+0.258s
3 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:18.100 	1:18.233 	+0.471s
4 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:17.149 	1:18.615 	+0.853s
5 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	1:17.613 	1:18.704 	+0.942s
6 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:17.746 	1:18.881 	+1.049s
7 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:18.409 	1:19.006 	+1.244s
8 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:18.060 	1:19.128 	+1.366s
9 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:18.607 	1:19.377 	+1.615s
10 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:18.909 	1:19.427 	+1.665s
11 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:18.461 	1:19.563 	+1.801s
12 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:17.793 	1:19.615 	+1.853s
13 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	1:17.443 	1:19.623 	+1.861s
14 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:19.050 	1:19.646 	+1.884s
15 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:19.195 	1:20.215 	+2.453s
16 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:18.528 	1:20.308 	+2.546s
17 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:18.879 	1:20.976 	+3.214s
18 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:21.100 	1:22.104 	+4.342s
19 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:20.822 	1:22.237 	+4.475s
20 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:17.862 	1:31.900 	+14.138s
Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Spain 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Spain 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Spain 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Spain 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Spain 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Spain 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Gran Premio Marlboro de España 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/741/spain/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Spain 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/qualification.aspx, (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===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	65 	1:33:46.933 	1 	10
2 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	65 	+5.716s 	3 	8
3 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	65 	+18.001s 	2 	6
4 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	65 	+1:02.022 	9 	5
5 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	64 	+1 Lap 	7 	4
6 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	64 	+1 Lap 	13 	3
7 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	64 	+1 Lap 	12 	2
8 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	63 	+2 Laps 	15 	1
9 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	63 	+2 Laps 	5 	
10 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	63 	+2 Laps 	14 	
11 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	63 	+2 Laps 	18 	
12 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	62 	+3 Laps 	19 	
Ret 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	43 	Engine 	17 	
Ret 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	41 	Gearbox 	6 	
Ret 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	38 	Suspension 	10 	
Ret 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	17 	Collision 	8 	
Ret 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	12 	Electrical 	11 	
Ret 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	0 	Collision 	4 	
Ret 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	0 	Collision 	16 	
Ret 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	0 	Collision 	20 	
Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Spain 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Jarno Trulli made his 100th Grand Prix start.'5. Spain 2003', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/espagne.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
* Michael Schumacher claimed his 66th career victory.
* secured their 161st win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Maiden points finish for Cristiano da Matta and Ralph Firman.
** This was also Firman's only points finish of his career.
* Rubens Barrichello recorded his tenth fastest lap.
==Standings==
A second victory in a row for Michael Schumacher carried the German ace right to the head of the field, leaving him just four off the lead after a slow start. Indeed, a non-score for Kimi Räikkönen had left him looking vulnerable at the head of the pack, with Fernando Alonso also moving within striking distance in third. Elsewhere, David Coulthard had slipped to fifth behind Rubens Barrichello, with sixteen drivers on the scoresheet.
In the Constructors Championship it had been a very strong afternoon for , as they demolished the gap between themselves and early leaders . The double failure to score in Spain had been very costly for the Anglo-German alliance, leaving them just three ahead of the Scuderia as their strong start to the season faded. Behind, had kept at bay, while were left as the only non-scorers.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Kimi Räikkönen 	32 	
2 	Michael Schumacher 	28 	1
3 	Fernando Alonso 	25 	1
4 	Rubens Barrichello 	20 	1
5 	David Coulthard 	19 	3
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	17 	
7 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	15 	1
8 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	10 	1
9 	Jarno Trulli 	9 	
10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	7 	
11 	Jacques Villeneuve 	3 	
12 	Cristiano da Matta 	3 	4
13 	Jenson Button 	3 	1
14 	Mark Webber 	2 	1
15 	Nick Heidfeld 	1 	2
16 	Ralph Firman 	1 	1
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	51 	
2 	 	48 	
3 	 	34 	
4 	 	32 	
5 	 	11 	
6 	 	8 	
7 	 	6 	
8 	 	3 	
9 	 	2 	
10 	 	0 	
Only point scoring drivers are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Spanish Grand Prix
Category:2003 Grands Prix
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Formula One races in Spain