2003 Monaco Grand Prix

The 2003 Monaco Grand Prix, formally known as the Grand Prix de Monaco 2003, was the seventh round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 1 June 2003.'Monaco GP, 2003', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr704.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019) The race would be infamous as the first ever Grand Prix not to feature an on-track overtake, despite at late race truel for victory.
The star of qualifying had been Ralf Schumacher, who claimed pole position by 0.036s from Kimi Räikkönen of . Juan Pablo Montoya was next in the second ahead of Jarno Trulli, while Michael Schumacher led the challenge from fifth.
During the qualifying session there would be a scary crash for Jenson Button, with the #17 smashing itself into the barriers on the run to the Nouvelle Chicane. Button was sent to hospital for checks, but was only found to have bruising to his legs, although the Brit opted to withdraw from the race.
The start of the race saw Ralf Schumacher make a clean getaway to claim an early lead, while Montoya squeezed past Räikkönen to claim second. Other changes saw the two Ferraris beaten off the the line by the two Renaults, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen was an early casualty as he crashed all on his own in the second sector.
With bits of littering the circuit the race was brought under the safety car's control, which stayed out until the end of lap four. Ralf Schumacher duly aced the restart to claim an early lead from Montoya, while Räikkönen went with them to leave Trulli at the head of a train of cars.
The race soon settled into a familiar Monegasque procession, meaning attention was focused on how the various strategies would play out. Unsurprisingly Ralf Schumacher would be the first to stop on lap 21, just as Montoya began to eat away at his two second lead, rejoining down in eighth.
Montoya stopped two laps later after delivering two brilliant laps and claimed the de facto lead, leaving Ralf in a frustrated third behind Räikkönen. However, the two Ferraris and Renaults, as well as David Coulthard, had stayed out on higher fuel loads, and would begin their stops on laps 27 through 31.
The Ferrari ploy of heavy fuel loads at the start paid off beautifully, for Michael Schumacher would emerge in third place, ahead of his brother and Trulli whom he had been trailing. However, there was still no real on-track fighting of note, meaning it was down to the second round of stops to settle the order.
Ralf Schumacher was the first to stop again, although his stop would have no impact on the overall order, as Montoya and Räikkönen stopped without issue. That left the #1 Ferrari of Michael Schumacher in the lead with apprehension that he had enough fuel to make it without stopping again.
Ultimately, however, Ferrari had dropped the ball during their first stop, and hence the German ace had to stop again, rejoining in third. However, as the final laps ticked away the #1 Ferrari would steadily close onto the back of Räikkönen, with the Finn himself latching onto the back of Montoya.
The trio ran nose-to-tail through to the chequered flag, with Montoya just hanging on to claim victory, and announce himself as a title contender. Räikkönen was next and managed to extend his title lead, with Michael Schumacher completing the podium.
==Background==
Kimi Räikkönen just held onto his Championship lead after the battle of Austria, albeit with his advantage now cut to just two points. Indeed, a third win in succession for Michael Schumacher had left the German ace just behind the Finn at the head of the field, with clear air between themselves and third placed Rubens Barrichello. Behind, Fernando Alonso had lost ground after his non-score, as had David Coulthard in fifth.
In the Constructors Championship had finally taken the lead in the title hunt, moving a point ahead of former leaders . The Anglo-German squad remained optimistic, however, given that they were still racing a modified version of their car, and had a lot of ground in-hand between themselves and third placed . The French manufacturer themselves were level on 35 points with , while remained at the foot of the table as the only pointless team.
===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 	Trust Minardi F1 Team 	 	PS03 	 	CR-3 3.0 V10 	
19 	Jos Verstappen 	Trust 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 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 	 	R23 	 	RS23 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
==Pre-Race Testing==
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Gap 	Laps
1 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:16.888 	 	35
2 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:17.569 	+0.681 	44
3 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:18.420 	+1.532 	36
4 	34 	Allan McNish 	 	1:18.438 	+1.550 	51
5 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:18.600 	+1.712 	29
6 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:18.714 	+1.826 	50
7 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:19.521 	+2.633 	43
8 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:19.923 	+3.035 	40
9 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:19.978 	+3.090 	30
Source:'Monaco 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104030218/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/monaco/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104030218/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/monaco/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104030218/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/monaco/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104030218/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/monaco/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104030218/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/monaco/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104030218/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/monaco/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104030218/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/monaco/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)
==Practice Overview==
===Free Practice 1===
===Free Practice 2===
===Warm-Up===
===Practice Results===
The full practice results for the are outline below:
No.	Driver 	Constructor	FP1 	 	FP2 	 	Warm-Up 	
No.	Driver 	Constructor	Time 	Pos.	Time 	Pos.	Time 	Pos.
1 	Michael Schumacher	 	1:16.915	6 	1:15.255	3 	1:16.127	5
==Qualifying==
===Thursday Qualifying===
===Saturday Qualifying===
===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 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:17.063 	1:15.259 	—
2 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:17.926 	1:15.295 	+0.036s
3 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:17.108 	1:15.415 	+0.156s
4 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:16.905 	1:15.500 	+0.241s
5 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:16.305 	1:15.644 	+0.385s
6 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:17.059 	1:15.700 	+0.441s
7 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:16.636 	1:15.820 	+0.561s
8 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:18.370 	1:15.884 	+0.625s
9 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:17.637 	1:16.237 	+0.978s
10 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	1:20.374 	1:16.744 	+0.978s
11 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:18.109 	1:16.755 	+1.496s
12 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:17.080 	1:16.967 	+1.708s
13 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:18.967 	1:17.103 	+1.844s
14 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:17.912 	1:17.176 	+1.917s
15 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	— 	1:17.402 	+2.143s
16 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:18.286 	1:17.452 	+2.193s
17 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:19.903 	1:17.464 	+2.205s
18 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:19.421 	1:18.706 	+3.447s
19 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:19.680 	1:20.063 	+4.804s
NC* 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	1:16.895 	— 	—
Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Monaco 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Monaco 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Monaco 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Monaco 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Monaco 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Monaco 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Grand Prix de Monaco 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/743/monaco/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Monaco 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/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.
** Button was withdrawn from the race after crashing heavily during qualifying.
===Grid===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	78 	1:42:19.010 	3 	10
2 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	78 	+0.602s 	2 	8
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	78 	+1.720s 	5 	6
4 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	78 	+28.518s 	1 	5
5 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	78 	+36.251s 	8 	4
6 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	78 	+40.972s 	4 	3
7 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	78 	+41.227s 	6 	2
8 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	78 	+53.266s 	7 	1
9 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	77 	+1 Lap 	10 	
10 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	77 	+1 Lap 	12 	
11 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	76 	+2 Laps 	14 	
12 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	76 	+2 Laps 	16 	
13 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	74 	+4 Laps 	17 	
Ret 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	63 	Engine 	11 	
Ret 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	29 	Fuel system 	19 	
Ret 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	28 	Fuel system 	18 	
Ret 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	16 	Hydraulics 	9 	
Ret 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	10 	Electrical 	13 	
Ret 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	0 	Accident 	15 	
WD 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Monaco 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 550th Grand Prix start for as a constructor.'7. Monaco 2003', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/monaco.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
* Ralf Schumacher claimed the 120th pole position for a chassis.
* Second career victory for Juan Pablo Montoya.
* Williams secured their 109th win as a constructor.
** Fifteenth win for a engine.
* Kimi Räikkönen scored his tenth podium finish.
** also secured their 120th podium as an engine supplier.
==Standings==
Kimi Räikkönen managed to extend his tight Championship lead as a result of his second place finish in Monaco, leaving the Principality on 48 points. Michael Schumacher was still a major threat in second, however, and was sat just four points behind as the halfway point in the season rapidly approached. Behind, Fernando Alonso had moved back ahead of Rubens Barrichello, while race winner Juan Pablo Montoya completed the top five at the head of a trio of drivers on 25 points.
In the Constructors Championship had once again gained the high-ground, although they had only re-established a two point lead. hence remained in serious contention to retain their crown, while had gained on both after Montoya's triumph. They were still 21 points behind, however, and had in close attendance.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Kimi Räikkönen 	48 	
2 	Michael Schumacher 	44 	
3 	Fernando Alonso 	29 	1
4 	Rubens Barrichello 	27 	1
5 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	25 	2
6 	David Coulthard 	25 	1
7 	Ralf Schumacher 	25 	1
8 	Jarno Trulli 	13 	1
9 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	10 	1
10 	Jenson Button 	8 	
11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	7 	
12 	Mark Webber 	4 	
13 	Jacques Villeneuve 	3 	
14 	Cristiano da Matta 	3 	
15 	Nick Heidfeld 	1 	
16 	Ralph Firman 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	73 	1
2 	 	71 	1
3 	 	50 	1
4 	 	42 	1
5 	 	11 	
6 	 	11 	
7 	 	8 	
8 	 	4 	
9 	 	3 	
10 	 	0 	
Only point scoring drivers are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:2003 Grands Prix
Category:Monaco Grand Prix