2003 United States Grand Prix

The 2003 United States Grand Prix, officially advertised as the 2003 United States Grand Prix, was the fifteenth and penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, on 28 September 2003.'United States GP, 2003', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr712.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher sweep to victory for , and hence all but secured a record sixth World Championship crown.
Kimi Räikkönen secured pole position in a bid to keep his title hopes alive during qualifying, beating Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari. Olivier Panis was next ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya, the man in second in the Championship, while Schumacher would start from a disappointing seventh.
There were dark skies over Indianapolis on race day that would give the circuit a quick shower, a concern for the Michelin shod teams after their tyres had been retooled after a legal challenge by Bridgestone at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix. As a result their tyres would be less suited to wet conditions, and had less overall grip as a result of a reduced contact patch between the grooves.
Regardless, conditions were dry enough and so the field universally started on dry tyres, with Räikkönen claiming the lead from Panis. Indeed, there was such a disparity between the two sides of the grid that Ralf and Michael Schumacher would climb to third and fourth, while Barrichello slipped to fifth.
Räikkönen quickly built a small lead over the #20 , before rain began to drift across the circuit on lap 2. Fortunately it was light and had very little impact on the race, with Räikkönen extending his lead while Ralf Schumacher pounced on Panis for second.
Behind, Montoya tried to find a way past Barrichello, only for the Brazilian to squeeze the #3 into the first corner. The two touched and the #2 Ferrari was sent spinning, allowing both the s to dart past as the Ferrari recovered in eighth behind Montoya.
The rain proved intermittent during the early stages, but returned with a vengeance during the first round of stops, although all of the title pretenders stayed on dries. However, Montoya, who was the first to stop, was slapped with a drive-through penalty for causing Barrichello's spin, dumping him back down to eleventh.
The changeable conditions suited 's Jenson Button, who would lead the race on lap 28, with most of the field having stopped for wets. Behind, meanwhile, Michael Schumacher caught and passed Räikkönen for third, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen ahead in second. The German racer then became one of the first stoppers for dry tyres to slip back down the field, and would ultimately leap ahead of both Frentzen and Button.
Button's hopes of a maiden podium finish were eventually written off by an engine failure in the closing stages, leaving Frentzen in second ahead of Räikkönen. The Finn duly caught and passed the #10 with a handful of laps to go to secure second, and hence keep his title hopes alive.
With that the race was effectively over, with Schumacher cruising through the final stages to claim victory and a huge nine point lead in the Championship. Räikkönen claimed second to move into second in the title hunt, but would now have to win the season finale in Japan, with Schumacher failing to score. Third went the way of Frentzen ahead of Jarno Trulli, with Nick Heidfeld, Montoya, Giancarlo Fisichella and Justin Wilson claiming the remaining points.
==Background==
Victory for Michael Schumacher saw the German ace leave Italy with an enhanced lead in the Championship, and with the potential to claim a record sixth title if he won in Indianapolis. However, second place for Juan Pablo Montoya in Monza ensured that he remained just three points behind the German, and hence could still entertain hopes of taking the crown in the US. Likewise, Kimi Räikkönen had just kept pace with the title fight, leaving Italy seven off the lead, with those three the only title contenders left in the fight.
In the Constructors Championship had cut the gap to leaders in half after a double podium on home soil, although they remained four behind. Hence, Williams could win their first Constructors crown since with a one-two in the United Stats, if Ferrari failed to score more than four points. Behind, had almost dropped out of the fight, needing two perfect scores in the remaining two rounds to challenge.
===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 	 	R23B 	 	RS23 3.0 V10 	
8 	Fernando Alonso 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R23B 	 	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 	Justin Wilson 	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 	Nicolas Kiesa 	Trust Minardi Cosworth 	 	PS03 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
19 	Jos Verstappen 	Trust Minardi Cosworth 	 	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 Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions
34 	Allan McNish 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R23B 	 	RS23 3.0 V10 	
36 	Björn Wirdheim 	Jordan Ford 	 	EJ13 	 	RS1 3.0 V10 	
39 	Gianmaria Bruni 	Trust Minardi Cosworth 	 	PS03 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'USA 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)
==Pre-Race Testing==
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Gap 	Laps
1 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:10.986 	 	43
2 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:10.987 	+0.001 	50
3 	34 	Allan McNish 	 	1:11.253 	+0.267 	47
4 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:11.586 	+0.600 	49
5 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:12.142 	+1.156 	55
6 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:12.263 	+1.277 	17
7 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:12.762 	+1.776 	46
8 	39 	Gianmaria Bruni 	 	1:13.129 	+2.143 	33
9 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:13.196 	+2.210 	23
10 	18 	Nicolas Kiesa 	 	1:13.655 	+2.669 	39
11 	36 	Björn Wirdheim 	 	1:13.678 	+2.692 	44
Source:'USA 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071118/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/usa/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'USA 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071118/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/usa/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'USA 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071118/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/usa/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'USA 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071118/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/usa/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'USA 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071118/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/usa/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'USA 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071118/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/usa/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'USA 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071118/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/usa/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 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:10.756 	1:11.670 	—
2 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:09.835 	1:11.794 	+0.124s
3 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:17.666 	1:11.940 	+0.270s
4 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:10.372 	1:11.948 	+0.278s
5 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:10.736 	1:12.078 	+0.408s
6 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:10.556 	1:12.087 	+0.417s
7 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:10.736 	1:12.194 	+0.524s
8 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:10.450 	1:12.297 	+0.627s
9 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	1:11.949 	1:12.326 	+0.656s
10 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:09.566 	1:12.566 	+0.896s
11 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	1:11.847 	1:12.695 	+1.025s
12 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:18.547 	1:13.050 	+1.380s
13 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:17.768 	1:13.083 	+1.413s
14 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:10.081 	1:13.269 	+1.599s
15 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:13.541 	1:13.447 	+1.777s
16 	15 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:19.491 	1:13.585 	+1.915s
17 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:12.227 	1:13.798 	+2.128s
18 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:19.383 	1:14.027 	+2.357s
19 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	— 	1:15.360 	+3.690s
20 	18 	Nicolas Kiesa 	 	1:21.973 	1:15.644 	+3.974s
Source:'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'USA 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'USA 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'USA 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'USA 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'USA 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'USA 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)	Source:'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'2003 United States Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/751/united-states/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 13/12/2019)'USA 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)
*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 	 	73 	1:33:35.997 	7 	10
2 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	73 	+18.258s 	1 	8
3 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	 	73 	+37.964s 	15 	6
4 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	73 	+48.329s 	10 	5
5 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	73 	+56.403s 	13 	4
6 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	72 	+1 Lap 	4 	3
7 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	72 	+1 Lap 	17 	2
8 	15 	Justin Wilson 	 	71 	+2 Laps 	16 	1
9 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	71 	+2 Laps 	9 	
10 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	69 	+4 Laps 	19 	
11 	18 	Nicolas Kiesa 	 	69 	+4 Laps 	20 	
Ret 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	63 	Engine 	12 	
Ret 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	48 	Spun off 	18 	
Ret 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	45 	Gearbox 	8 	
Ret 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	44 	Engine 	6 	
Ret 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	41 	Engine 	11 	
Ret 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	27 	Accident 	3 	
Ret 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	21 	Accident 	14 	
Ret 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	21 	Accident 	5 	
Ret 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	2 	Collision 	2 	
Source:	Source:	Source: 	Source: 	Source:	Source: 	Source:	Source:
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Kimi Räikkönen claimed the 50th pole position for a car with #6 as its race number.'2003 United States GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2003&gp=United%20States%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 13/12/2019)
* 70th career victory for Michael Schumacher.'15. USA 2003', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/etats-unis.aspx, (Accessed 13/12/2019)
* secured their 166th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Eighteenth and final podium finish for Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
** Frentzen also scored his final Championship points.
* led a Grand Prix for the first time.
** claimed their fourth and final podium as an engine supplier.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher would leave the US Grand Prix of 2003 with one hand on his sixth World Championship crown after claiming victory, with 92 points to his name. That left Kimi Räikkönen as the only man who could deny the German ace, although with a nine point deficit to overcome in Japan, the Finn faced an near impossible climb, needing to win with Schumacher failing to score. Juan Pablo Montoya, meanwhile, was out of the fight in third, with the Colombian ace only able to match Schumacher's tally at best, but would lose the title on countback.
In the Constructors Championship it would be who held an advantage into the final day in Japan, leaving Indianapolis with 147 points. That left them three ahead of in second, setting up an intriguing duel for the crown at the season finale. Indeed, were now too far back to overhaul the Scuderia, but could claim the runner-up spot if they had a perfect weekend in Suzuka.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	92 	
2 	Kimi Räikkönen 	83 	1
3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	82 	1
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	58 	
5 	Rubens Barrichello 	55 	
6 	Fernando Alonso 	55 	
7 	David Coulthard 	45 	
8 	Jarno Trulli 	29 	
9 	Mark Webber 	17 	
10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	13 	3
11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	12 	
12 	Jenson Button 	12 	2
13 	Cristiano da Matta 	8 	1
14 	Nick Heidfeld 	6 	3
15 	Olivier Panis 	6 	1
16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	6 	1
17 	Marc Gené 	4 	1
18 	Ralph Firman 	1 	
19 	Justin Wilson 	1 	2
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	147 	1
2 	 	144 	1
3 	 	128 	
4 	 	84 	
5 	 	19 	4
6 	 	18 	1
7 	 	18 	1
8 	 	14 	1
9 	 	13 	1
10 	 	0 	
Only point scoring drivers are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:2003 Grands Prix
Category:United States Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in the United States