2003 French Grand Prix

The 2003 French Grand Prix, officially advertised as the Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003, was the tenth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in Magny-Cours, France, on 6 July 2003.'French GP, 2003', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr707.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019) The race would see Ralf Schumacher and claim their second victory and one-two in a week, courtesy of their superior Michelin tyres.
Indeed, the Michelin shod cars had been the teams to beat during qualifying, with Ralf Schumacher grabbing pole position ahead of teammate Juan Pablo Montoya. Championship leader Michael Schumacher was the lone Bridgestone runner in the top eight after claiming third, with main title rival Kimi Räikkönen claiming fourth.
Michelin's magic would continue through the start, with the two Williams-BMWs immediately streaking off to claim an early lead, while Schumacher just edged out the two . They were joined in their harassment of the #1 by the two s, before Räikkönen slipped past to secure third.
The two Williams soon checked out at the head of the field, while Räikkönen broke clear of Schumacher to run in an increasingly lonely third. Schumacher himself would hence find himself fending off repeated attacks from David Coulthard, Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso, although none of the quartet could make a move stick.
High tyre wear at Magny-Cours meant that several pitstops would be required, with the majority of the field opting for a three-stop plan. In the first round it was McLaren who gained, Räikkönen getting closer to the Williams while Coulthard jumped Schumacher, with the field then remaining stable through the second round.
Into the third round of stops and Montoya tried to undercut his teammate, demolishing the majority of Ralf's lead by pitting a lap earlier than originally planned. Ralf responded and pitted the very next lap, and would have just enough speed to keep the Colombian at bay as the jostled on the brakes into Adelaide.
Behind, McLaren's good day was unravelled, first by Räikkönen getting caught in traffic after he rejoined, before Coulthard had more serious dramas. Indeed, an issue with the refuelling rig forced McLaren to switch to their spare set-up, only for the lollipop man to signal for the Scot to go. Refueller Steve Morrow was knocked over as Coulthard sprinted away and then stopped, although Morrow was quick to confirm that he was alright.
Those two issues for McLaren cost both Räikkönen and Coulthard a handful of seconds, and hence gifted Michael Schumacher third when he stopped five laps later. They were fortunate not to slip further down as Räikkönen picked up a brake issue late on, for the two Renaults had dropped out with engine dramas, almost at the same time.
Out front, meanwhile, Ralf Schumacher would run unopposed through the remaining laps to claim victory, and close the gap to the lead of Championship to just eleven points. Montoya and Michael Schumacher completed the podium ahead of a limping Räikkönen, with Coulthard, Mark Webber, Rubens Barrichello and Olivier Panis completing the points scorers.
==Background==
With Kimi Räikkönen failing to score it was advantage Michael Schumacher in the Championship hunt after F1's first trip to Germany in , with the German ace leaving the Nürburgring with 58 points. Räikkönen had therefore slipped seven off the lead, while Ralf Schumacher had closed in on both, moving onto 43 points for the campaign with his victory. Juan Pablo Montoya and Fernando Alonso were also in touching distance, tied on 39 points, with seventeen drivers having registered points.
, meanwhile, had surprisingly managed to extend their lead in the Constructors Championship, despite lacking the outright pace in Germany. Indeed, what had started as a strong afternoon for had ended miserably, meaning they dropped to third behind after their one-two. The latter partnership hence left Germany thirteen behind the leaders, while McLaren were a further six behind.
===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 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
44 	Franck Montagny 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R23 	 	RS23 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Europe 2003: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)
==Pre-Race Testing==
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	Time 	Gap 	Laps
1 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:16.709 	 	38
2 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:17.017 	+0.308 	23
3 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:17.323 	+0.614 	50
4 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:17.946 	+1.237 	23
5 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:18.771 	+2.062 	26
6 	44 	Franck Montagny 	 	1:18.823 	+2.114 	28
7 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:19.289 	+2.580 	24
8 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	1:19.636 	+2.927 	16
9 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:20.259 	+3.550 	35
Source:'French 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042202/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/france/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'French 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042202/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/france/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'French 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042202/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/france/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'French 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042202/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/france/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'French 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042202/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/france/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'French 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042202/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/france/times/fri_test.html, (Accessed 04/11/2021)	Source:'French 2003: Friday Testing', pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2003), https://web.archive.org/web/20211104042202/https://www.pitpass.com/src/seasons/2003/gp/france/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 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:29.327 	1:15.019 	—
2 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:28.988 	1:15.136 	+0.117s
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:27.929 	1:15.480 	+0.461
4 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:29.120 	1:15.533 	+0.514s
5 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:28.937 	1:15.628 	+0.609s
6 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:29.024 	1:15.967 	+0.948s
7 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:29.455 	1:16.087 	+1.068s
8 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:27.095 	1:16.166 	+1.147s
9 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:25.178 	1:16.308 	+1.289s
10 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:24.175 	1:16.345 	+1.326s
11 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	1:24.642 	1:16.965 	+1.946s
12 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:24.651 	1:16.990 	+1.971s
13 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	1:26.975 	1:17.068 	+2.049s
14 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	1:30.371 	1:17.077 	+2.058s
15 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:24.042 	1:17.445 	+2.426s
16 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:26.151 	1:17.562 	+2.543s
17 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:28.502 	1:18.431 	+3.412s
18 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	1:23.496 	1:18.514 	+3.495s
19 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:20.817 	1:18.709 	+3.690s
20 	18 	Justin Wilson 	 	— 	1:19.619 	+4.600
Source:'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'France 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'France 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'France 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'France 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'France 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'France 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 2003 - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2003/races/746/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 11/12/2019)'France 2003: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)
*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===
** Wilson would start 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 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	70 	1:30:49.213 	1 	10
2 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	70 	+13.813s 	2 	8
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	70 	+19.568s 	3 	6
4 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	70 	+38.047s 	4 	5
5 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	70 	+40.289s 	5 	4
6 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	70 	+1:06.380 	9 	3
7 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	69 	+1 Lap 	8 	2
8 	20 	Olivier Panis 	 	69 	+1 Lap 	10 	1
9 	16 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	69 	+1 Lap 	12 	
10 	15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	 	69 	+1 Lap 	11 	
11 	21 	Cristiano da Matta 	 	69 	+1 Lap 	13 	
12 	10 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	68 	+2 Laps 	16 	
13 	9 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	68 	+2 Laps 	15 	
14 	8 	Justin Wilson 	 	67 	+3 Laps 	20 	
15 	12 	Ralph Firman 	 	67 	+3 Laps 	18 	
16 	19 	Jos Verstappen 	 	66 	+4 Laps 	19 	
Ret 	7 	Jarno Trulli 	 	45 	Engine 	6 	
Ret 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	43 	Engine 	7 	
Ret 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	42 	Engine 	17 	
Ret 	17 	Jenson Button 	 	23 	Out of fuel 	14 	
Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)	Source:'France 2003: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* made their 150th Grand Prix appearance as a constructor.'10. France 2003', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/france.aspx, (Accessed 11/12/2019)
* Heinz-Harald Frentzen made his 150th Grand Prix start.
* Tenth race entry for Cristiano da Matta, Ralph Firman, Antônio Pizzonia and Justin Wilson.'2003 French GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2003&gp=French%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 11/12/2019)
* Sixth and final career victory for Ralf Schumacher.
* scored their 111th win as a constructor.
** secured their 17th win as an engine supplier.
* Michael Schumacher registered his 120th podium finish.
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher saw his Championship lead grow to eight points as a result of the French Grand Prix, although in truth the title fight was more open than it had been in recent memory. Indeed, while Kimi Räikkönen had lost ground in France, Ralf Schumacher's second successive win had carried the German into title contention, leaving Magny-Cours just eleven off the lead. Juan Pablo Montoya was a further six behind in fourth, while Fernando Alonso and Rubens Barrichello were tied for fifth on 39 points.
Likewise, the Constructors Championship seemed to be getting more exciting as the season wore on, with just three points separating the top two teams. still led the way, but the second straight one-two for had left the Anglo-German effort well within striking range of the Scuderia. Behind, were still a major threat and had made a little ground, with seemingly out of the fight in fourth with almost half the points of Ferrari.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	64 	
2 	Kimi Räikkönen 	56 	
3 	Ralf Schumacher 	53 	
4 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	47 	
5 	Fernando Alonso 	39 	
6 	Rubens Barrichello 	39 	
7 	David Coulthard 	29 	
8 	Jarno Trulli 	13 	
9 	Mark Webber 	12 	2
10 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	10 	1
11 	Jenson Button 	10 	1
12 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	7 	
13 	Jacques Villeneuve 	3 	
14 	Cristiano da Matta 	3 	
15 	Olivier Panis 	2 	1
16 	Nick Heidfeld 	2 	1
17 	Ralph Firman 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	103 	
2 	 	100 	
3 	 	85 	
4 	 	52 	
5 	 	13 	
6 	 	12 	2
7 	 	11 	1
8 	 	9 	1
9 	 	5 	
10 	 	0 	
Only point scoring drivers are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:French Grand Prix
Category:2003 Grands Prix
Category:Formula One races in France