2003 Japanese Grand Prix

The 2003 Japanese Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the 2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix, (XXIX フジテレビ日本グランプリ in Japanese) was the sixteenth and final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan, on 12 October 2003.'Japanese GP, 2003', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr713.html, (Accessed 15/12/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher secure a record sixth World Championship title, as major rival Kimi Räikkönen failed to get the result he needed to overcome the German ace on the final day.
Indeed, with a nine point advantage arriving in Japan it was Schumacher's title to lose, and when Räikkönen could only grab eighth in qualifying the German ace was all the more certain to win the crown. Yet, Schumacher himself would only manage to claim fourteenth, as teammate Rubens Barrichello beat Juan Pablo Montoya to pole position.
Suzuka's first corner had a reputation for deciding World Championships, although that was not the case in 2003, as a clean start throughout the field saw no major issues. Indeed, Barrichello and Montoya would jostle for the lead, the Brazilian emerging ahead, while Fernando Alonso got away superbly to claim third for .
Behind, Räikkönen would pick up two spots as Olivier Panis was barged down the order by Alonso, although attention quickly swapping back to the two leaders. Indeed, Montoya lunged at Barrichello at the hairpin and failed, only for an error from the Brazilian exiting the hairpin allowing the Colombian ace to edge ahead into the Spoon Curve.
The second lap saw Ralf Schumacher spin out of the lead group, while Michael Schumacher had his front win removed when he launched an optimistic lunge at home hero Takuma Sato in the #16 . Out front, meanwhile, Montoya maintained Williams' hopes of securing the Constructors title, until a hydraulic failure on lap ten left him on the sidelines.
Barrichello inherited the lead, although with Alonso swarming all over his tail until the Renault's electronics failed. Coulthard hence emerged in second but was already fifteen seconds down, and duly failed to challenge the Brazilian through to the first and second round of stops.
In terms of the Championship battle, meanwhile, Räikkönen would jump ahead of teammate Coulthard using a two-stop strategy, while Schumacher was recovering after an early collision. That recovery was not aided by his brother Ralf, with the Schumacher's coming together when battling with Cristiano da Matta of , costing Ralf his front wing.
Michael, meanwhile, would use that incident to break into the top eight and hence gain the point he needed to deny Räikkönen the crown. However, he had trashed his tyres when avoiding da Matta, and hence would spend the remaining laps with a bad vibration on his car.
Out front, Barrichello was able to keep Räikkönen at arm's length, and duly crossed the line to claim victory and the Constructors Championship for Ferrari. Räikkönen and Coulthard completed the podium, which was not enough for Räikkönen to claim the crown, meaning eighth was enough for Schumacher.
Schumacher hence claimed his record sixth World Championship by two points, and was the first time that he had won the title without finishing on the podium in the same race. Furthermore, Ferrari secured their fifth Constructors Championship in a row, and their thirteenth overall.
==Background==
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.
===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 	Takuma Sato 	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 	Satoshi Motoyama 	Jordan Ford 	 	EJ13 	 	RS1 3.0 V10 	
39 	Gianmaria Bruni 	Trust Minardi Cosworth 	 	PS03 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)
==Pre-Race Testing==
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Gap 	Laps
1 	34 	Allan McNish 	 	1:32.170 	 	38
2 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:32.367 	+0.197 	45
3 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:32.891 	+0.721 	24
4 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:33.497 	+1.327 	35
5 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:33.897 	+1.727 	40
6 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:34.054 	+1.884 	40
7 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:34.297 	+2.127 	41
8 	36 	Satoshi Motoyama 	 	1:35.044 	+2.874 	40
8 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:35.579 	+3.409 	24
9 	39 	Gianmaria Bruni 	 	1:35.695 	+3.525 	27
10 	18 	Nicolas Kiesa 	 	1:36.558 	+4.388 	32
Source:'Japan 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071727/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/japan/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Japan 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071727/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/japan/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Japan 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071727/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/japan/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Japan 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071727/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/japan/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Japan 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071727/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/japan/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Japan 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071727/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/japan/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Japan 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104071727/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/japan/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 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:30.758 	1:31.713 	—
2 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:31.201 	1:32.412 	+0.699s
3 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	1:32.256 	1:32.419 	+0.706s
4 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:31.908 	1:32.862 	+1.149s
5 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:30.624 	1:33.044 	+1.331s
6 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:31.305 	1:33.106 	+1.393s
7 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:30.482 	1:33.137 	+1.424s
8 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:30.558 	1:33.272 	+1.559s
9 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	1:32.374 	1:33.474 	+1.761s
10 	15 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:32.291 	1:33.558 	+1.845s
11 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:31.783 	1:33.632 	+1.919s
12 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:31.892 	1:33.896 	+2.183s
13 	16 	Takuma Sato 	 	1:31.832 	1:33.924 	+2.211s
14 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:30.464 	1:34.302 	+2.589s
15 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:33.057 	1:34.771 	+3.058s
16 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:33.313 	1:34.912 	+3.199s
17 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:34.836 	1:34.975 	+3.262s
18 	18 	Nicolas Kiesa 	 	1:36.181 	1:37.226 	+5.513s
NC 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:30.343 	— 	—
NC 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:30.281 	— 	—
Source:'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'Japan 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'Japan 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'Japan 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'Japan 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'Japan 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'Japan 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/752/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 16/12/2019)'Japan 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)
*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===
** Verstappen 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 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	53 	1:25:11.743 	1 	10
2 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	53 	+11.085s 	8 	8
3 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	53 	+11.614s 	7 	6
4 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	53 	+33.106s 	9 	5
5 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	53 	+34.269s 	20 	4
6 	16 	Takuma Sato 	 	53 	+51.692s 	13 	3
7 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	53 	+56.794s 	3 	2
8 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	53 	+59.487s 	14 	1
9 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	53 	+1:00.159 	11 	
10 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	53 	+1:01.844 	4 	
11 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	53 	+1:11.005 	6 	
12 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	19 	
13 	15 	Justin Wilson 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	10 	
14 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	15 	
15 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	17 	
16 	18 	Nicolas Kiesa 	 	50 	+3 Laps 	18 	
Ret 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	33 	Out of fuel 	16 	
Ret 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	17 	Engine 	5 	
Ret 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	9 	Engine 	12 	
Ret 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	9 	Hydraulics 	2 	
Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Michael Schumacher declared as the FIA Formula One World Championship Champion.
** Schumacher secured a record sixth World Championship crown.'16. Japan 2003', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/japon.aspx, (Accessed 16/12/2019)
* claimed the 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship for Constructors title.
** This was the Scuderia's thirteenth Constructors title and fifth in a row.
* Heinz-Harald Frentzen made his 156th and final Grand Prix start.
* 50th Grand Prix start for Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Räikkönen.
* Seventh career victory for Rubens Barrichello.
* Ferrari claimed their 167th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* David Coulthard claimed his 60th podium finish.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher would end the FIA Formula One World Championship as the Champion, overhauling Juan Manuel Fangio by claiming his sixth Championship crown. Kimi Räikkönen, meanwhile, would fall two points shy of his maiden crown, despite only having one win to the German ace's six across the campaign. Juan Pablo Montoya completed the top three ahead of Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher, with twenty drivers having scored across the campaign.
In the Constructors Championship it was who had ended the season as the Champions, their fifth title in a row and thirteenth in total. claimed second by just two points, with having just fallen shy of the runner-up spot on the final day. Behind, were in fourth ahead of , with every team bar having scored points in 2003.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	93 	
2 	Kimi Räikkönen 	91 	
3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	82 	
4 	Rubens Barrichello 	65 	1
5 	Ralf Schumacher 	58 	1
6 	Fernando Alonso 	55 	
7 	David Coulthard 	51 	
8 	Jarno Trulli 	33 	
9 	Jenson Button 	17 	3
10 	Mark Webber 	17 	1
11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	13 	1
12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	12 	1
13 	Cristiano da Matta 	10 	
14 	Nick Heidfeld 	6 	
15 	Olivier Panis 	6 	
16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	6 	
17 	Marc Gené 	4 	
18 	Takuma Sato 	3 	6
19 	Ralph Firman 	1 	1
20 	Justin Wilson 	1 	1
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	158 	
2 	 	144 	
3 	 	142 	
4 	 	88 	
5 	 	26 	1
6 	 	19 	1
7 	 	18 	
8 	 	16 	
9 	 	13 	
10 	 	0 	
Only point scoring drivers are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:2003 Grands Prix
Category:Japanese Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Japan