2003 Austrian Grand Prix

The 2003 Austrian Grand Prix, officially known as the A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003, was the sixth race of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the A1 Ring on 18 May 2003.'Austrian GP, 2003', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr703.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019) The race was won by Michael Schumacher in dominant fashion, despite having a brief fire scare in the pits during one of his stops.
Qualifying had caused confusion as no clear picture emerged, with Bridgestone and Michelin tyres performing differently on each car, while the weather remained unpredictable ahead of the race. Ultimately, it was Schumacher who emerged on pole position ahead of title rival Kimi Räikkönen, while Juan Pablo Montoya and Nick Heidfeld shared the second row.
The weather remained stable on race morning, although a threat of rain would prompt Fernando Alonso and to swap to their spare car, at the cost of starting from the pitlane. There was late drama for Räikkönen too, the squad getting permission to change his engine, before two starts were aborted due to an electrical issue for Cristiano da Matta.
At the third attempt the race would start, despite the fact that Jos Verstappen suffered a launch control issue and stalled, leaving him stranded as the rest of the field streaked away. Out front, meanwhile, Schumacher would sprint clear to claim an early lead, while Montoya slid inside Räikkönen to secure second.
With Verstappen stuck the safety car was called, staying out for four laps as the was dragged away. When the race resumed Schumacher would immediately break away, leaving Montoya to fend off Räikkönen as the skies in the Styrian mountains began to darken.
Indeed, by lap eleven the first spots of rain would fall onto the circuit, catching out Jarno Trulli who completed a pirouette at turn one. However, there was no where near enough water to require the use of wet tyres, with Rubens Barrichello beginning the first pitstop phase on lap 22.
An issue for the Brazilian saw have to swap to their spare fuel rig, with Schumacher stopping a lap later. This time some errant fuel was sprayed onto the #1 Ferrari's rear bodywork as the car was refuelled, which immediately ignited. Fortunately the fire was small and extinguished quickly, although Schumacher lost valuable seconds and had question marks over how much fuel he had received.
The German ace duly rejoined in third behind Räikkönen and Montoya on heavy fuel loads, although it was not long before the #1 Ferrari reclaimed second from the #6 McLaren. Indeed, Räikkönen's pace was steadily deteriorating as his Mercedes engine began to lose power, while Montoya's race was ended when his engine failed.
Schumacher was hence left on his own out front, while Räikkönen had to doggedly defend second from Barrichello. Ultimately, however, there would be no late changes to the order, leaving Schumacher the victor, Räikkönen two points ahead in the Championship, and Barrichello completing the podium.
This would be the last Austrian Grand Prix to be held until F1 returned to the renamed Red Bull Ring in 2014.
==Background==
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.
===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:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/engages.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
==Pre-Race Testing==
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Gap 	Laps
1 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:09.781 	 	37
2 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:09.907 	+0.126 	50
3 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:10.036 	+0.255 	39
4 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:10.338 	+0.557 	49
5 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:10.380 	+0.599 	64
6 	34 	Allan McNish 	 	1:10.395 	+0.614 	59
7 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:10.763 	+0.982 	35
8 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:11.280 	+1.499 	31
9 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:11.717 	+1.936 	36
Source:'Austria 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104031533/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/austria/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Austria 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104031533/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/austria/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Austria 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104031533/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/austria/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Austria 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104031533/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/austria/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Austria 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104031533/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/austria/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Austria 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104031533/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/austria/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'Austria 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104031533/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/austria/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 	 	1:07.908 	1:09.150 	—
2 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:08.978 	1:09.189 	+0.039s
3 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:08.839 	1:09.391 	+0.241s
4 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:09.479 	1:09.725 	+0.575s
5 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:08.187 	1:09.784 	+0.634s
6 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:09.450 	1:09.890 	+0.740s
7 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	1:08.831 	1:09.935 	+0.785s
8 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:09.024 	1:10.045 	+0.895s
9 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:09.281 	1:10.105 	+0.955s
10 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	— 	1:10.279 	+1.129s
11 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:09.764 	1:10.402 	+1.252s
12 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:08.680 	1:10.618 	+1.468s
13 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	1:10.370 	1:10.834 	+1.684s
14 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:08.947 	1:10.893 	+1.743s
15 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:10.055 	1:11.307 	+2.157s
16 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:11.171 	1:11.505 	+2.355s
17 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:08.512 	1:11.662 	+2.512s
18 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:11.056 	1:14.508 	+5.358s
19 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:09.860 	1:20.113 	+10.963s
NC 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:10.894 	— 	—
Source:'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Austria 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Austria 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Austria 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Austria 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Austria 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Austria 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'A1 Grand Prix von Österreich 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/742/austria/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 10/12/2019)'Austria 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/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===
** da Matta started the race from the back of the grid after stalling on the second formation lap.
*† Frentzen was unable to start after stalling on the third formation lap.
*‡ Webber and Alonso started the race from the pit lane.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	69 	1:24:04.888 	1 	10
2 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	69 	+3.362s 	2 	8
3 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	69 	+3.951s 	5 	6
4 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	69 	+42.243s 	7 	5
5 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	69 	+59.740s 	14 	4
6 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	10 	3
7 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	PL 	2
8 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	6 	1
9 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	8 	
10 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	13 	
11 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	16 	
12 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	68 	+1 Lap 	12 	
13 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	67 	+2 Laps 	18 	
Ret 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	60 	Fuel system 	9 	
Ret 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	46 	Engine 	4 	
Ret 	8T 	Fernando Alonso 	 	44 	Engine 	PL 	
Ret 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	32 	Engine 	3 	
Ret 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	6 	Suspension 	11 	
Ret 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	0 	Clutch 	20 	
DNS* 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)	Source:'Austria 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche/classement.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Frentzen was unable to start after stalling on the third formation lap.
==Milestones==
* 67th career victory for Michael Schumacher.'6. Austria 2003', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/autriche.aspx, (Accessed 10/12/2019)
* scored their 162nd win as a constructor and engine supplier.
==Standings==
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.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Kimi Räikkönen 	40 	
2 	Michael Schumacher 	38 	
3 	Rubens Barrichello 	26 	1
4 	Fernando Alonso 	25 	1
5 	David Coulthard 	23 	
6 	Ralf Schumacher 	20 	
7 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	15 	
8 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	10 	
9 	Jarno Trulli 	10 	
10 	Jenson Button 	8 	3
11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	7 	1
12 	Mark Webber 	4 	2
13 	Jacques Villeneuve 	3 	2
14 	Cristiano da Matta 	3 	2
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 	 	64 	1
2 	 	63 	1
3 	 	35 	
4 	 	35 	
5 	 	11 	
6 	 	11 	1
7 	 	8 	1
8 	 	4 	1
9 	 	3 	1
10 	 	0 	
Only point scoring drivers are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
es:Gran Premio de Austria de 2003
Category:Austrian Grand Prix
Category:2003 Grands Prix
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Formula One races in Austria