2003 European Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Ralf Schumacher led a Williams one-two at the European Grand Prix after Kimi Räikkönen’s bid for victory ended in engine failure. Juan Pablo Montoya’s bold move on Michael Schumacher helped secure second, with Rubens Barrichello completing the podium.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Pole time	1:31.523
Fastest lap	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Fastest-lap time	1:32.621 on lap 14
First	Ralf Schumacher	Williams
Second	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams
Third	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari

Weekend Schedule

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

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 9 leading the 2003 F1 World Championship on 54 points, with Kimi Räikkönen on 51. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 85 points.

Race entries

The ten teams retained their usual drivers. Toyota arrived at the Nürburgring looking to impress close to its Cologne base, while Williams aimed to turn its recent qualifying strength into a first victory of the season.

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

Olivier Panis gave Toyota an encouraging start by narrowly beating Mark Webber and Kimi Räikkönen in Friday practice. Nick Heidfeld damaged his front wing on a marker at the chicane, bringing out a red flag, and Rubens Barrichello struck the same obstacle late in the session. Mark Webber twice spun at the first corner but still finished within three hundredths of the fastest time.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2003 European Grand Prix FP1, 27 June 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:31.197	22
2	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+0.027s	19
3	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.063s	19
4	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.316s	22
5	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.553s	18
6	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+0.597s	18
7	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.721s	22
8	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.973s	22
9	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+1.295s	26
10	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.363s	24
11	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.393s	22
12	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.410s	17
13	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+1.495s	16
14	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+1.595s	20
15	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.644s	23
16	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+1.704s	18
17	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.405s	21
18	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+2.446s	17
19	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+3.750s	9
20	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+4.328s	14

First qualifying

Kimi Räikkönen headed Friday qualifying ahead of Michael Schumacher, securing the final running slot for Saturday. McLaren’s pace suggested a strong opportunity to respond after Schumacher had taken the championship lead in Canada.

First Qualifying Classification

2003 European Grand Prix First Qualifying, 27 June 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:29.989	3
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:30.353	3
3	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:30.378	3
4	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:30.522	3
5	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:30.842	3
6	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:30.903	3
7	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:31.143	3
8	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:31.533	3
9	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	1:32.196	3
10	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	1:32.201	3
11	17	Jenson Button	BAR	1:32.479	3
12	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	1:35.972	3
13	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	1:52.300	3
14	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	1:53.893	3
15	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	1:54.546	3
16	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	1:55.921	3
17	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:57.327	4
18	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	1:57.435	3
19	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	No time	2
20	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	No time	2

Saturday practice

Olivier Panis again led the first Saturday session, this time with a substantial advantage over Rubens Barrichello. Toyota’s pace offered genuine encouragement at its local event, although the morning was not trouble-free: da Cristiano da Matta ran across the gravel under braking at Turn 1. Juan Pablo Montoya and Nick Heidfeld also had excursions before continuing.

Free Practice 2 Classification

2003 European Grand Prix FP2, 28 June 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:31.181	19
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.858s	15
3	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+1.290s	14
4	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.296s	17
5	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.622s	17
6	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.671s	17
7	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.710s	18
8	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+1.946s	15
9	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+1.959s	19
10	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+2.526s	15
11	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.946s	18
12	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+2.998s	17
13	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+3.383s	15
14	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+3.401s	13
15	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+3.594s	13
16	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+3.603s	14
17	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+3.786s	14
18	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+4.151s	13
19	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+5.664s	9
20	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+5.820s	13

Ralf Schumacher headed a Williams one-two in the second Saturday session, narrowly beating Juan Pablo Montoya, with Olivier Panis third. Rubens Barrichello went off at Turn 7, while Mark Webber stopped near the end of the lap and had to walk back. From this weekend, the two Saturday sessions received separate classifications rather than a combined morning result.

Free Practice 3 Classification

2003 European Grand Prix FP3, 28 June 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:31.305	11
2	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.061s	15
3	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+0.185s	18
4	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.303s	16
5	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.716s	13
6	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+0.752s	22
7	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.051s	20
8	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.086s	18
9	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+1.347s	21
10	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.705s	16
11	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+1.771s	18
12	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+1.909s	20
13	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.169s	12
14	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+2.330s	18
15	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	+2.393s	22
16	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.780s	13
17	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+3.522s	4
18	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	+3.635s	20
19	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+4.721s	10
20	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+5.076s	9

Warm-up

Michael Schumacher led Rubens Barrichello in the short warm-up, with David Coulthard close behind. Ferrari’s improvement after its quieter final practice gave the team encouragement before qualifying. The brief session was the last chance to settle the cars before each driver’s single timed lap.

Warm-up Classification

2003 European Grand Prix Warm-up, 28 June 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:31.981	6
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.116s	6
3	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.133s	4
4	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.271s	6
5	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.404s	5
6	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+0.564s	6
7	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.566s	6
8	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.048s	4
9	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.087s	6
10	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+1.325s	6
11	17	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.799s	7
12	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	+2.133s	6
13	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+2.183s	4
14	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	+2.248s	4
15	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	+2.392s	7
16	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	+2.765s	5
17	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	+4.578s	6
18	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	+5.200s	5
19	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	No time	5
20	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	No time	4

Final qualifying

Kimi Räikkönen claimed his first Formula 1 pole by just 0.032 seconds from Michael Schumacher. Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya occupied the second row, leaving the two Williams drivers well placed to challenge if the front-row contenders faltered.

Final Qualifying Classification

2003 European Grand Prix Final Qualifying, 28 June 2003

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:31.523	3
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:31.555	3
3	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:31.619	3
4	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:31.765	3
5	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:31.780	3
6	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:31.976	3
7	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:32.350	3
8	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:32.424	3
9	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:32.742	3
10	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	1:32.949	3
11	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	1:33.066	3
12	17	Jenson Button	BAR	1:33.395	3
13	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	1:33.553	3
14	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	1:33.827	3
15	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	1:34.000	3
16	15	Antônio Pizzonia	Jaguar	1:34.159	3
17	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	1:34.596	3
18	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	1:36.318	3
19	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	1:36.485	3
20	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	No time	2

Cristiano da Matta was left without time in Q1 after spinning off the track and abandoning the attempt.

Jacques Villeneuve was left without a time in Q1 after driving off the track.

Nick Heidfeld was left without a time in Q2 after spinning in the first corner.

What happened in the 2003 European Grand Prix?

Kimi Räikkönen made an excellent start to his first race from pole and pulled clear of Ralf Schumacher. Even after stopping earlier than the Williams, he regained the lead and appeared in control. His race ended abruptly when the Mercedes engine failed, handing Ralf Schumacher the advantage.

Juan Pablo Montoya caught Michael Schumacher and attacked around the outside at the Dunlop hairpin. The cars touched and Schumacher spun into the gravel; marshals pushed the Ferrari clear of its dangerous position and he continued. Juan Pablo Montoya escaped to second, and the stewards took no action after investigating the clash.

Ralf Schumacher secured his first win of the year ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barrichello. Fernando Alonso finished fourth after a late incident in which David Coulthard swerved behind him and retired; the subsequent investigation produced no penalty. Michael Schumacher recovered to fifth, extending his championship advantage despite a difficult afternoon.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 58 points, followed by Kimi Räikkönen on 51. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 95, with Williams on 82.

2003 European Grand Prix race results

The 2003 European Grand Prix was held on 29 June 2003, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	60	1:34:43.622	10
2	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	60	+16.821	8
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	60	+39.673	6
4	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	60	+1:05.731	5
5	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	60	+1:06.162	4
6	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	59	+1 Lap	3
7	17	Jenson Button	BAR	59	+1 Lap	2
8	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	59	+1 Lap	1
9	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	59	+1 Lap	0
10	15	Antônio Pizzonia	Jaguar	59	+1 Lap	0
11	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	58	+2 Laps	0
12	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	58	+2 Laps	0
13	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	58	+2 Laps	0
14	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	57	+3 Laps	0
15	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	56	Spun off	0
Ret	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	53	Engine	0
Ret	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	51	Gearbox	0
Ret	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	37	Fuel pressure	0
Ret	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	37	Brakes	0
Ret	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	25	Engine	0

Nick Heidfeld started the race from the pitlane.

2003 European Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	14	1:32.621	200.092
2	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	34	1:32.826	199.650
3	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	34	1:32.904	199.483
4	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	59	1:33.094	199.076
5	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	15	1:33.200	198.849
6	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	12	1:33.236	198.773
7	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	17	1:33.307	198.621
8	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	13	1:33.348	198.534
9	21	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	15	1:33.398	198.428
10	20	Olivier Panis	Toyota	8	1:33.583	198.035
11	10	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Sauber	33	1:33.994	197.170
12	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	37	1:34.191	196.757
13	17	Jenson Button	BAR	14	1:34.208	196.722
14	9	Nick Heidfeld	Sauber	23	1:34.541	196.029
15	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Jordan	29	1:34.656	195.791
16	15	Antonio Pizzonia	Jaguar	47	1:34.915	195.256
17	16	Jacques Villeneuve	BAR	45	1:35.100	194.876
18	12	Ralph Firman	Jordan	29	1:35.328	194.410
19	18	Justin Wilson	Minardi	19	1:36.709	191.634
20	19	Jos Verstappen	Minardi	3	1:37.365	190.343

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 European Grand Prix.

2003 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	58
2	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	51
3	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	43
4	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	Williams	39
5	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	39
6	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	37
7	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	25
8	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Renault	13
9	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Jordan	10
10	Jenson Button	British	BAR	10
11	Mark Webber	Australian	Jaguar	9
12	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	German	Sauber	7
13	Cristiano da Matta	Brazilian	Toyota	3
14	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BAR	3
15	Nick Heidfeld	German	Sauber	2
16	Olivier Panis	French	Toyota	1
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	95
2	Williams	82
3	McLaren	76
4	Renault	52
5	BAR	13
6	Jordan	11
7	Sauber	9
8	Jaguar	9
9	Toyota	4
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