2003 British Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Rubens Barrichello delivered a brilliant attacking drive to win an eventful British Grand Prix. Juan Pablo Montoya finished second ahead of Kimi Räikkönen after repeated changes of fortune, including a dangerous track invasion that brought out the Safety Car.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
Pole time	1:21.209
Fastest lap	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:22.236 on lap 38
First	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
Second	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams
Third	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
18 July 2003	Optional private testing (participating teams)	08:30–10:30
18 July 2003	Practice 1	11:00
18 July 2003	First qualifying	14:00
19 July 2003	Practice 2	09:00
19 July 2003	Practice 3	10:15
19 July 2003	Warm-up	13:30
19 July 2003	Final qualifying	14:00
20 July 2003	Race	13:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Michael Schumacher arrived at round 11 leading the 2003 F1 World Championship on 64 points, with Kimi Räikkönen on 56. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 103 points.

Race entries

The regular drivers remained in place for Silverstone. David Coulthard and Jenson Button raced in front of their home supporters, alongside rookies Justin Wilson and Ralph Firman, while Williams sought a third consecutive victory.

Renault, Jaguar, Jordan and Minardi could use the additional morning testing period under the restricted-testing agreement. This was separate from the official free-practice sessions and was not available to the whole field.

Friday practice

David Coulthard delighted the home crowd with a late lap that put him ahead of Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso in Friday practice. Rubens Barrichello stopped on track with ten minutes remaining and missed the final improvements. Ralph Firman spun in the complex and Jarno Trulli lost control leaving Abbey, although the Renault continued.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2003 British Grand Prix FP1, 18 July 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:20.039	21
2	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+0.307s	17
3	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.446s	17
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.565s	22
5	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+0.654s	20
6	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.819s	19
7	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+0.894s	23
8	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+0.927s	14
9	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.953s	27
10	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+0.988s	23
11	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.990s	23
12	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.143s	26
13	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.207s	24
14	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.368s	21
15	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+1.930s	20
16	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+1.989s	14
17	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+2.096s	18
18	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+3.137s	15
19	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+3.251s	25
20	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+4.047s	9

First qualifying

Michael Schumacher headed Friday qualifying ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya. Rubens Barrichello slid off in the damp conditions and would have to run near the beginning of Saturday’s session, giving the Brazilian a difficult route back into contention.

First Qualifying Classification

2003 British Grand Prix First Qualifying, 18 July 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:19.474	3
2	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:19.749	3
3	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:19.788	3
4	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:19.907	3
5	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:19.959	3
6	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:19.963	3
7	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:19.968	3
8	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	1:20.171	3
9	17	Jenson Button	BAR	1:20.569	3
10	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	1:20.765	3
11	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	1:20.877	3
12	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:21.065	3
13	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:21.084	3
14	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	1:21.211	3
15	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	1:21.363	3
16	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	1:21.500	3
17	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	1:22.335	3
18	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	1:23.418	3
19	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	No time	2
20	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	No time	1

Saturday practice

Kimi Räikkönen displaced the Ferraris late in the first Saturday session, narrowly beating Rubens Barrichello. Jacques Villeneuve was trying a new aerodynamic package when his Honda engine failed near the end. Fernando Alonso also spun after the chequered flag but recovered to return to the pits before the next session.

Free Practice 2 Classification

2003 British Grand Prix FP2, 19 July 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:22.263	11
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.134s	14
3	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.396s	21
4	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.878s	12
5	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.053s	11
6	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.328s	15
7	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.333s	15
8	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.346s	17
9	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+1.625s	16
10	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+1.639s	19
11	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.662s	17
12	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+1.676s	17
13	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+2.221s	14
14	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+2.269s	15
15	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+2.310s	13
16	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+2.679s	15
17	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+2.781s	15
18	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+2.851s	15
19	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+3.545s	17
20	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+3.999s	11

Juan Pablo Montoya headed the second Saturday session ahead of both Ferraris. Michael Schumacher went through the gravel at Copse without damage, while Giancarlo Fisichella recovered from a full spin leaving Stowe. Jacques Villeneuve suffered another engine failure and Antonio Pizzonia stopped at the pit-lane exit, adding reliability concerns to the final preparations.

Free Practice 3 Classification

2003 British Grand Prix FP3, 19 July 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:21.415	12
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.172s	18
3	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.193s	15
4	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.296s	13
5	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+0.842s	17
6	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.902s	15
7	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.917s	23
8	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.985s	15
9	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.047s	16
10	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+1.199s	18
11	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+1.495s	20
12	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.911s	4
13	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.040s	21
14	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+2.205s	19
15	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+2.288s	14
16	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+2.529s	16
17	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+2.530s	20
18	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+2.566s	16
19	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+4.269s	13
20	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+4.491s	14

Warm-up

Rubens Barrichello led the warm-up by a clear margin from Kimi Räikkönen and Michael Schumacher. It was a timely boost after his problems on Friday, when a qualifying mistake had left him an early running slot for the decisive session. His pace suggested that the poor opening day need not define his weekend.

Warm-up Classification

2003 British Grand Prix Warm-up, 19 July 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:21.094	6
2	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.777s	4
3	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.980s	6
4	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+1.335s	6
5	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.363s	6
6	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.404s	6
7	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+1.536s	6
8	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+1.628s	5
9	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+1.979s	7
10	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.141s	8
11	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+2.282s	5
12	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+2.368s	5
13	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+2.698s	4
14	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+3.201s	5
15	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+3.598s	6
16	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+4.637s	4
17	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+4.844s	4
18	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+13.842s	5
19	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	No time	2
20	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	No time	3

Final qualifying

Rubens Barrichello responded superbly by taking pole ahead of Jarno Trulli and Kimi Räikkönen. Ralf Schumacher qualified fourth, with Michael Schumacher fifth. Jenson Button failed to set a time, leaving the home driver facing a race through the field.

Final Qualifying Classification

2003 British Grand Prix Final Qualifying, 19 July 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:21.209	3
2	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:21.381	3
3	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:21.695	3
4	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:21.727	3
5	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:21.867	3
6	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	1:22.081	3
7	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:22.214	3
8	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:22.404	3
9	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:22.591	3
10	15	Antônio Pizzonia	Jaguar	1:22.634	3
11	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	1:22.647	3
12	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:22.811	3
13	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:23.042	3
14	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	1:23.187	3
15	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	1:23.574	3
16	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	1:23.844	3
17	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	1:24.385	3
18	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	1:25.468	3
19	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	1:25.759	3
20	17	Jenson Button	BAR	No time	2

Rubens Barrichello was left without a time in Q1 after driving off the track at turn 15.

Justin Wilson was left without a time in Q1 due to technical problems.

Jenson Button was left without a time in Q2 after hitting the curb at the wrong angle and damaging his left front suspension.

What happened in the 2003 British Grand Prix?

Rubens Barrichello lost places to Jarno Trulli and Kimi Räikkönen at the start. David Coulthard’s detached headrest caused an early Safety Car period, and another followed when a spectator entered the circuit. Most of the field pitted, forcing several team-mates to queue and shuffling the order dramatically. The Toyotas stayed out and emerged first and second.

Kimi Räikkönen worked his way through to challenge da Cristiano da Matta, while Rubens Barrichello recovered with decisive overtaking moves. Once the Toyota stopped, the McLaren led, but Rubens Barrichello kept closing. After the final stops, the Ferrari pressured Kimi Räikkönen into a mistake and swept ahead.

Rubens Barrichello completed an outstanding victory, while a further error from Kimi Räikkönen allowed Juan Pablo Montoya into second. Michael Schumacher recovered to fourth ahead of David Coulthard, Jarno Trulli and da Cristiano da Matta. Jenson Button’s climb from the back brought the final point, rounding off a race packed with overtaking and changing fortunes.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 69 points, followed by Kimi Räikkönen on 62. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 118, with Williams on 108.

2003 British Grand Prix race results

The 2003 British Grand Prix was held on 20 July 2003, with a scheduled start of 13:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	60	1:28:37.554	10
2	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	60	+5.462	8
3	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	60	+10.656	6
4	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	60	+25.648	5
5	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	60	+36.827	4
6	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	60	+43.067	3
7	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	60	+45.085	2
8	17	Jenson Button	BAR	60	+45.478	1
9	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	60	+58.032	0
10	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	60	+1:03.569	0
11	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	60	+1:05.207	0
12	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	60	+1:05.564	0
13	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	59	+1 Lap	0
14	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	59	+1 Lap	0
15	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	58	+2 Laps	0
16	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	58	+2 Laps	0
17	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	58	+2 Laps	0
Ret	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	52	Gearbox	0
Ret	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	44	Suspension	0
Ret	15	Antônio Pizzonia	Jaguar	32	Engine	0

2003 British Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	38	1:22.236	225.054
2	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	60	1:22.692	223.813
3	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	9	1:22.797	223.529
4	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	37	1:22.819	223.470
5	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	9	1:22.911	223.222
6	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	33	1:22.938	223.149
7	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	10	1:22.943	223.136
8	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	10	1:23.024	222.918
9	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	9	1:23.158	222.559
10	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	47	1:23.463	221.746
11	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	32	1:23.528	221.573
12	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	57	1:23.705	221.105
13	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	28	1:23.833	220.767
14	17	Jenson Button	BAR	53	1:23.912	220.559
15	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	58	1:23.933	220.504
16	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	9	1:24.537	218.928
17	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	40	1:24.823	218.190
18	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	33	1:25.087	217.513
19	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	9	1:25.859	215.558
20	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	2	1:27.021	212.679

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2003 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2003 British Grand Prix.

2003 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	69
2	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	62
3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	Williams	55
4	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	53
5	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	49
6	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	39
7	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	33
8	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Renault	16
9	Mark Webber	Australian	Jaguar	12
10	Jenson Button	British	BAR	11
11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Jordan	10
12	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	German	Sauber	7
13	Cristiano da Matta	Brazilian	Toyota	5
14	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BAR	3
15	Olivier Panis	French	Toyota	2
16	Nick Heidfeld	German	Sauber	2
17	Ralph Firman	Irish	Jordan	1
18	Antônio Pizzonia	Brazilian	Jaguar	0
19	Jos Verstappen	Dutch	Minardi	0
20	Justin Wilson	British	Minardi	0

2003 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	118
2	Williams	108
3	McLaren	95
4	Renault	55
5	BAR	14
6	Jaguar	12
7	Jordan	11
8	Sauber	9
9	Toyota	7
10	Minardi	0

2003 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2003 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	9 March
2	2003 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	23 March
3	2003 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	6 April
4	2003 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	20 April
5	2003 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	4 May
6	2003 Austrian Grand Prix	A1-Ring, Spielberg	18 May
7	2003 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	1 June
8	2003 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	15 June
9	2003 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	29 June
10	2003 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	6 July
11	2003 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	20 July
12	2003 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	3 August
13	2003 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	24 August
14	2003 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	14 September
15	2003 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	28 September
16	2003 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	12 October