2003 Brazilian Grand Prix

Formula One motor race held in 2003 January 2021 F1 Brazil Brazilian 2003 Brazilian GP – XXXII Grande Prêmio Marlboro do Brasil http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2003&gp=Brazilian%20GP Chicane F1 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20071209222645/http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=2003&gp=Brazilian%20GP 9 December 2007 deadGrand Prix Results: Brazilian GP, 2003 http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr700.html GrandPrix.com 6 April 2003 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20031206150358/http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr700.html 6 December 2003 live 6 April 2003 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix 2003 San Marino Grand Prix 3 16 Autódromo José Carlos Pace (AKA Interlagos) track map.svg Grande Prêmio do Brasil 2003 Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo, Brazil Permanent Racing Facility 2.677 4.309 54 144.566 232.656 71 190.083 305.909 Rainy: 20 °C °F Rubens Barrichello Brazil Ferrari 1:13.807 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1:22.032 46 Brazil Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Jordan-Ford Kimi Räikkönen Finland McLaren-Mercedes Fernando AlonsoThe podium ceremony featured Räikkönen in first place, Fisichella in second and no-one in third, as Alonso was receiving medical attention at the time. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile later reversed first and second place due to a timekeeping error. note Spain Renault BRA The 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix (formally the Grande Prêmio do Brasil 2003)https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2003/races/739/brazil/race-result Brazilian Formula1.com 27 July 2025 was a Formula One motor race held on 6 April 2003 at Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos). It was the third round of the 2003 Formula One World Championship, the 32nd Brazilian Grand Prix and the 700th Formula One World Championship race. The race was scheduled to run for 71 laps, but was stopped on lap 56 after two major crashes blocked the circuit. Due to confusion about the timing of the red flag, which was initially believed to have been thrown during lap 55, the win was initially awarded to Kimi Räikkönen of McLaren, with Giancarlo Fisichella of Jordan in second and Fernando Alonso of Renault in third. However, following a post-race appeal by the Jordan team, eventually heard in court, it was established that the red flag had been thrown during lap 56 and Fisichella was leading at the end of lap 54 when the race results were declared, and he was awarded the win with Räikkönen demoted to second. Alonso remained in third place; he had missed the podium ceremony at the time as he was receiving medical attention. It was attended by 120,000 spectators. The race was Fisichella's first Grand Prix victory. It was also Jordan's fourth and final victory, and the team's 200th Grand Prix.200th race for Jordan http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2003/4/179.html formula1.com Formula One Administration 26 December 2015 3 April 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20111223223703/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2003/4/179.html 23 December 2011 This was the first victory for a Ford engine since the 1999 European Grand Prix, and the first victory for an Italian driver since Riccardo Patrese won the 1992 Japanese Grand Prix. Prior to the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, this Grand Prix marked the last victory for a Ford-powered car to date. This marked the last time the Brazilian Grand Prix was held during the opening rounds of a Formula One season. Although he did not win the race, Räikkönen scored more points than Coulthard, increasing his lead to nine points. Alonso improved from fifth to third with a ten point deficit over Räikkönen, while Fisichella's victory gave him his first points of the season in order to make a huge step in the championship by moving from sixteenth to fourth. In the Constructors' Championship, McLaren maintained their lead, while extending it to 16 points over Renault, that claimed second following the failure of both Ferraris to finish. Fisichella's win gave Jordan their first points as well, elevating the Irish team to fifth in the standings, six behind Ferrari and Williams. Background left|thumb|The Autódromo José Carlos Pace (pictured in 2006), where the race was held. The 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix was the third of sixteen scheduled single seater motor races of the 2003 Formula One World Championship, the 32nd edition of the event and the 700th Formula One World Championship round. It took place at the 15-turn 4.309 km mi on Autódromo José Carlos Pace in the Brazilian city of São Paulo on 6 April 2003. The bumpy track placed a large amount of strain and g-force onto a driver.Northen Richard Brazilian GP Preview http://www.itv-f1.com/features/features_story/14812 ITV-F1 2 April 2003 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20030402170659/http://www.itv-f1.com/features/features_story/14812 2 April 2003 dead To compensate for cars being driven over its bumpy surface, teams employed a computer programme fed into a chassis to reconstruct every movement under undulation.https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/03/formulaone.alanhenry Cars that stay at home and do circuit training for bumps Henry Alan 3 April 2003 The Guardian 11 October 2019 live https://web.archive.org/web/20140911000521/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/03/formulaone.alanhenry 11 September 2014 Alan Henry Under a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA; Formula One's governing body) regulation mandating Formula One's two tyre suppliers Bridgestone and Michelin to bring a single wet-weather tyre compound to each race to lower operating costs:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399131/Formula-One-Heavy-rain-makes-qualifying-a-lottery.html Formula One: Heavy rain makes qualifying a lottery Emmerson Gary 5 April 2003 The Daily Telegraph 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011094511/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399131/Formula-One-Heavy-rain-makes-qualifying-a-lottery.html live Michelin brought the full wets and Bridgestone the intermediates.https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/07/formulaone.formulaone2003 Raikkonen and McLaren sitting pretty after demolition derby Henry Alan 6 April 2003 The Guardian 13 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20140911000613/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/07/formulaone.formulaone2003 11 September 2014 After winning the Malaysian Grand Prix two weeks earlier, McLaren driver Kimi Räikkönen led the World Drivers' Championship with 16 points, six ahead of his teammate David Coulthard in second. Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams, Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello and Fernando Alonso for Renault tied for third with eight points each.Jones Bruce The Official ITV Sport Guide: 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship Final Tables 2003 https://archive.org/details/formulaonegrandp0000jone_i0o1/ 2004 Carlton Books 100–101 1-84442-811-7 Internet Archive registration In the World Constructors' Championship, McLaren led with 26 points; Ferrari and Renault were tied for second position with 16 points. Williams were a further two points behind in fourth and Sauber in fifth had four points. Following the 2002 edition, race organisers invested $1.7 million in resurfacing 1 km mi on of track surface in an attempt to reduce its bumpiness, rebuilt its drainage system and introduced run-off areas in the first seven turns.http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/937 More News from the Paddock – Brazilian GP 5 April 2003 Atlas F1 13 October 2019 13 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191013101902/http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/937 dead In preparation for the race, the majority of teams conducted in-season test sessions at the Circuit de Catalunya (now called the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya) in Spain from 25 to 28 March 2003 and worked to alter the aerodynamic performance of their cars. Sauber and Williams evaluated revised chassis components and both teams assessed their selection of tyre compounds from the Malaysian Grand Prix, optimising the setup of their vehicles to better suit it.http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2003/3/165.html Teams prepare for Brazil 28 March 2003 Formula One dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071018141558/http://formula1.com/news/headlines/2003/3/165.html 18 October 2007 11 October 2019 A lap of 1:17.288 topped the time sheets for the Williams test driver Marc Gené on the first day.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22340 Barcelona day 1: Progress for Williams 25 March 2003 Autosport 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011094515/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22340 live Pedro de la Rosa, the McLaren test driver, set the second day's fastest time, a 1:15.506. Williams's Ralf Schumacher set the quickest lap on the third day, lowering the overall best time to a 1:15.352.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-03-28/ralf-fastest-in-barcelona-testing/1825524 Ralf fastest in Barcelona testing 28 March 2003 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20161027000422/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-03-28/ralf-fastest-in-barcelona-testing/1825524 27 October 2016 ABC News On the final day (held in heavy rain in the morning and sunshine for most of the afternoon) Ralf Schumacher remained fastest overall with a lap of 1:17.591.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22367 Barcelona day 4: Ralf in the rain 28 March 2003 Autosport 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011100427/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22367 live Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta drove a Toyota TF102B for three days at the Circuit Paul Ricard evaluating its tyres. The defending World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher of Ferrari was criticised by the German and Italian press for a sub-par beginning to the season. Schumacher said he expected criticism and thought Ferrari would have an advantage on circuits that suited his team better than others,http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14799 Michael Shrugs Off Criticism 31 March 2003 ITV-F1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030416010542/http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14799 16 April 2003 11 October 2019 "The first two races are not too good. Still, we got eight points out of these not very good races for us and our time will come again."http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2003/04/05/0000200990 Schumacher bites back at jibes 5 April 2003 Taipei Times 11 October 2019 live https://web.archive.org/web/20191011174044/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2003/04/05/0000200990 11 October 2019 Reuters 20 Räikkönen, the Drivers Championship leader, said he would approach the race in the same method as he did in the preceding Malaysian Grand Prix,http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9991/.html Victory Hasn't Changed Me, Says Raikkonen 3 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011185014/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9991/.html dead as Giancarlo Fisichella was eager to score for the Jordan team in its 200th Formula One race, "I trained and prepared hard for Sepang but unfortunately I did not get off the mark. So my target for the Brazilian Grand Prix is to take the chequered flag and bring points to the team and looking at the way the car ran strongly with Ralph in Malaysia, I know I can get both jobs done."https://www.crash.net/f1/news/45212/1/brazilian-gp-preview-jordan-ford Brazilian GP preview – Jordan Ford Wilkins Robert 2 April 2003 Crash live https://web.archive.org/web/20191011182024/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/45212/1/brazilian-gp-preview-jordan-ford 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 thumb|Justin Wilson (pictured in 2007) was deemed fit to compete in Brazil after his arms were temporarily paralysed by a loose HANS device at the preceding Malaysian Grand Prix. Two weeks before the Grand Prix, the FIA announced drivers would no longer be granted dispensation to compete in Formula One races without wearing a HANS device. It stated any competitor who could not wear a HANS device for medical reasons would be barred from driving in future events.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99181772/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=458dd41c Motor Racing: Safety rule enforced Rafferty Peter 26 March 2003 The Independent 11 October 2019 29 Gale General OneFile subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090448/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99181772&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=458dd41c live This stance was ratified at a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 2 April.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9981/.html WMSC Ratifies FIA's Stance on HANS 2 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011143545/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9981/.html dead Minardi driver Justin Wilson was passed fit by the FIA medical delegate Sid Watkins to take part in the event.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9999/.html Medical Chief Clears Wilson to Race Baldwin Alan 4 April 2003 Atlas F1 11 October 2019 Reuters subscription 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011143548/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9999/.html dead At the previous race, Wilson suffered from pain in his shoulders which was caused by a loose HANS device and seat belt, causing him to move about freely in his car's cockpit and pinching a nerve that paralysed both his arms. Wilson visited the team's headquarters in Faenza, Italy to test a twin seat belt system installed in his car to prevent a similar occurrence.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A184542987/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=d20b6851 Wilson ready to drive through pain barrier 2 April 2003 Sheffield Star 11 October 2019 Gale OneFile: News subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090413/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA184542987&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=d20b6851 live Barrichello, who had a minor hernia and received dispensation from the stewards not to wear a HANS device for medical reasons, was at risk of being dropped for the race in the event a solution to his discomfort was not found.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2398616/Formula-One-Barrichellos-place-in-doubt.html Formula One: Barrichello's place in doubt Gray Will 26 March 2003 The Daily Telegraph 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011185014/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2398616/Formula-One-Barrichellos-place-in-doubt.html live He tested a new HANS device during free practice and reported no discomfort,http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10044/.html Barrichello: HANS Not a Problem this Time 5 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011185012/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10044/.html dead leaving the services of the Ferrari reserve driver Felipe Massa unneeded.Ferrari's nominated reserve driver Luca Badoer was injured in two high-speed accidents. notehttp://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/930 Barrichello May Be Replaced for Brazilian GP 26 March 2003 Atlas F1 11 October 2019 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011185011/http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/930 dead A total of ten teams (each represented by a different constructor) entered two race drivers each for the race with no changes from the season entry list.2003 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix: Event Info https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2003-brazilian-grand-prix live 8 September 2021 Motorsport Stats 8 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210908164508/https://results.motorsportstats.com/results/2003-brazilian-grand-prix Some teams made changes to their vehicles for the event.Piola Giorgio Giorgio Piola 8–14 April 2003 La sfida vola sulle ali The challenge flies on the wings Autosprint it 18–21 14 Williams installed a revised gearbox unit and rear suspension bracket designed specially for the FW25. The team also fitted a revised specification of front wing, modified a terminal section of the car's bodywork and rectified a rear wing issue. The Ferrari and Renault teams introduced new specifications of rear wing: Ferrari's wing changes featured semi-circular holes in the outer part of its main profile to limit vortex and was used solely by Barrichello. Renault adopted a rear wing characterised by a sinuous shape of its profiles, which was stood up sharply in the bulkheads section. Private test session On Friday morning, a two-hour test session took place for teams who opted for limited testing during the season.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2788129.stm F1 loses Sunday warm-up 21 February 2003 BBC Sport live https://web.archive.org/web/20030408094106/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2788129.stm 8 April 2003 12 October 2019 In variable weather conditions that saw rain fell 90 minutes in,http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2003/4/181.html Promise for Renault and Jaguar 4 April 2003 Formula One dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080413021257/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2003/4/181.html 13 April 2008 12 October 2019 Renault driver Jarno Trulli set the session's fastest lap, a 1:14.262. Antônio Pizzonia was second in a Jaguar and his teammate Mark Webber third. Alonso, Fisichella, Allan McNish, the Renault test driver, Minardi's Jos Verstappen, Ralph Firman for Jordan and Wilson made up positions four to nine.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9998/.html Trulli Quickest in Friday Test Session - Brazil Emmerson Gary 4 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012104115/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/9998/.html dead During the session, Pizzonia drove the spare Jaguar after a mechanical fault stopped his race car at the Subida dos Boxes corner.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22430 Testing: Trulli beats the showers 4 April 2003 Autosport 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012104116/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22430 live With 36 minutes remaining, Firman abandoned his car in the pit lane with a drive shaft problem. Alonso subsequently spun on the Reta Oposta straight and was beached in a gravel trap at the Descida do Lago turn. His Renault was undamaged. Practice and warm-up sessions There were three practice sessions preceding Sunday's race: one 60-minute session on Friday morning and two 45-minute sessions on Saturday morning.Domenjoz Luc Formula 1 Yearbook 2003–04 Sporting regulations https://archive.org/details/formula1yearbook0000unse_x6v8 2003 Parragon Bath, Somerset 220–221 978-1-4054-2089-1 Internet Archive registration In the first practice session, held in torrential weather conditions and saw four drivers record no lap times,http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10001/.html Friday Free Practice – Brazilian GP Emmerson Gary 4 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012104116/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10001/.html deadhttp://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=118999 Schumacher leads rain soaked Brazilian GP Friday practice Reynolds Nikki 4 April 2003 motorsport.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041026054003/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=118999 26 October 2004 12 October 2019 Michael Schumacher was quickest with a lap of 1:28.060, followed by Coulthard, British American Racing (BAR) driver Jenson Button, Trulli, Montoya, Barrichello, the Toyota pair of Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta, Fisichella and Heinz-Harald Frentzen of Sauber. Seconds after Räikkönen exited the pit lane, he lost control of his vehicle into the Reta Oposta straight and spun onto some grass.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22431 Practice 1: Schuey shines in the rain 4 April 2003 Autosport 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012104115/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22431 live He narrowly avoided a collision with a barrier to his left. With 15 minutes to go, Pizzonia crashed heavily leaving the Curva do Sol turn and struck the barriers on both sides of the circuit on his first timed lap, temporarily stopping the session so that his Jaguar car could be removed from the track. After the session restarted, Alonso slid on the wet track and made minor contact against a wall at the Senna S chicane. The circuit was sodden for the beginning of the second practice session and dried as it progressed to provide every driver with dry track acclimatisation.http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/10028/ Practice 2: Barrichello sets pace 5 April 2003 Autosport 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012155041/http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/10028/ dead Barrichello set the pace with a 1:14.071 lap. Ralf Schumacher, Montoya, Michael Schumacher, Alonso, Räikkönen, Pizzonia, Webber, Coulthard and Heidfeld made up positions two to ten.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10025/.html Saturday First Free Practice – Brazilian GP Emmerson Gary 5 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012155039/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10025/.html dead In warm weather conditions, the final practice session was led by Panis who recorded a time of 1:13.457, ahead of Michael Schumacher, Trulli, Coulthard, Montoya, Räikkönen, Barrichello, Webber, Ralf Schumacher and Alonso. Several competitors spun during the session; none sustained damage to their cars.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10028/.html Saturday Second Free Practice – Brazilian GP Emmerson Gary 5 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012155045/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10028/.html dead Räikkönen paced a 15-minute warm-up session that took place before the second qualifying session with a lap of 1:13.886. Barrichello, Michael Schumacher, Coulthard, Montoya, Webber, Button, Ralf Schumacher, Villeneuve and Heidfeld were second to tenth.http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700wuresults.html Brazilian GP – Saturday – Warmup Results 5 April 2003 GrandPrix.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030407111106/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700wuresults.html 7 April 2003 12 October 2019 Qualifying The torrential rain observed in practice prompted several drivers to express concerns they would lose control of their vehicles and crash.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10002/.html Drivers Pushing for Friday Qualifying Cancellation 4 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012104117/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10002/.html dead Around 20 minutes before the first qualifying session,http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22433 Petition to scrap first qualifying 4 April 2003 Autosport 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012104115/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22433 live Coulthard, a senior member of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, Trulli and Michael Schumacher wrote a petition mandating the FIA cancel the session if there was no improvement in the track conditions.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10003/.html Qualifying Goes Ahead Despite Drivers' Petition 4 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012104115/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10003/.html dead The petition was signed by a majority of drivers;https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/formula/button-wet-track-a-joke-94341.html Button: Wet track a 'joke' 5 April 2003 Irish Examiner 12 October 2019 live https://web.archive.org/web/20191012100220/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/formula/button-wet-track-a-joke-94341.html 12 October 2019 it was later disregarded after it was unable to be sent to everyone in time and race officials had deemed the circuit safe to drive on after the rain tapered off before qualifying commenced.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2918947.stm Webber fastest in the rain 4 April 2003 BBC Sport live https://web.archive.org/web/20031217110816/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2918947.stm 17 December 2003 12 October 2019https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99655108/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=94980f77 Motor Racing: Jaguar make a splash in the rain Tremayne David 5 April 2003 The Independent 12 October 2019 12 David Tremayne Gale General OneFile subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090411/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99655108&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=94980f77 live BAR's Jacques Villeneuve said the petition was detrimental to Formula One, "What would it bring to Formula One for us not to go and qualify? People would think that we are just a bunch of sissies. We can't do that. We are paid a whole lot of money and it would be an insult to the fans."https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/f1-grand-prix/rivals-a-bunch-of-sissies-villeneuve-524567 Rivals a 'bunch of sissies' – Villeneuve 5 April 2003 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012143413/https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/f1-grand-prix/rivals-a-bunch-of-sissies-villeneuve-524567 12 October 2019 Independent Online Sapa-AFP left|thumb|Mark Webber (pictured in 2005 while driving for Williams) took provisional pole position in the first qualifying session There were two one-hour qualifying sessions, one on both Friday and Saturday afternoons. The World Drivers' Championship standings set the first session's running order (first to last) with the second run in reverse of the first session times (slowest to fastest). Each competitor recorded one timed lap in each session and the starting order was determined by the second session's quickest laps. The level of standing water fluctuated during the session. Webber took provisional pole position on a drying track with a 1:23.249 lap. He was 0.138 seconds faster than Barrichello in second, who had pole until Webber's lap.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22434 First qualifying: Webber fastest! 4 April 2003 Autosport 12 October 2019 12 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191012141650/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22434 live Räikkönen, the first driver to set a lap, was third and his teammate Coulthard, fourth, made a driver error at Bico de Pato corner. Michael Schumacher aquaplaned shortly after leaving the pit lane and took fifth. Panis's Toyota was not setup for the wet-weather conditions and took sixth.http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700fqreport.html Brazilian GP – Friday – Qualifying Report – Webber wows them! 4 April 2003 GrandPrix.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20031004011737/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700fqreport.html 4 October 2003 12 October 2019 Villeneuve was seventh; Pizzonia, eighth, drove the spare Jaguar and aquaplaned on the start/finish straight.http://www.fia.com/PRESSE/F1-GP-2003/bresil/news1.htm Bulletin No1 - Free Practice and Qualifying 4 April 2003 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030507035750/http://www.fia.com/PRESSE/F1-GP-2003/bresil/news1.htm 7 May 2003 12 October 2019 Alonso, ninth, was circumspect, as Frentzen, tenth. reported an adequate car balance. An incorrect setup put Da Matta 11th. The wet-weather conditions restricted Trulli to 12th and an unbalanced car in slow speed corners left Ralf Schumacher in 13th. An oversteer and lack of grip restricted Fisichella to 14th as Verstappen extracted additional performance from his car to finish in 15th. Heidfeld was circumspect through the Arquibancdas turn en route to 16th. Montoya in 17th lost control of the rear of his Williams under braking and went onto a concrete run-off area at Ferradura corner. Firman in 18th drove with the rear of Jordan's spare car attached to his race vehicle. Wilson avoided a spin on the start/finish straight and was 19th. Button was the only driver not to set a lap time: he had a sudden oversteer when he ran onto a damp white line denoting the track boundaries,https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99658050/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=82c583d8 Aussie goes one up in practice in rain-swept Sao Paulo McMillan James 5 April 2003 The Scotsman 12 October 2019 10 Gale OneFile: News subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090416/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99658050&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=82c583d8 live and aquaplaned at almost 145 mph km/h on.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99679819/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=b522d957 Heavy rain causes drivers to demand safety-first approach; Motor racing: Brazilian Grand Prix Eason Kevin 5 April 2003 The Times 12 October 2019 37 Gale Academic OneFile subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090416/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99679819&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=b522d957 live Button went through two polystyrene boards, removed his car's rear wing and abandoned the attempt. The session was temporarily stopped to clear on-track debris. thumb|right|upright|Rubens Barrichello (pictured in 2002) took the seventh pole position of his career in the second qualifying session The second qualifying session was held in warm and dry weather conditions.http://www.fia.com/PRESSE/F1-GP-2003/bresil/news3.htm Bulletin No 3 – Qualifying 5 April 2003 Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030507035906/http://www.fia.com/PRESSE/F1-GP-2003/bresil/news3.htm 7 May 2003 13 October 2019 Barrichello had the lap time display on his steering wheel switched off so he could be focused.http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700sqreport.html Brazilian GP – Saturday – Qualifying Report 5 April 2003 GrandPrix.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030407113720/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700sqreport.html 7 April 2003 13 October 2019 This earned him pole position, the first for a Brazilian driver at the track since Ayrton Senna in the 1994 event, his first since the 2002 Hungarian Grand Prix and the seventh of his career with a 1:13.807 lap.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-04-06/barrichello-takes-brazil-pole-webber-third/1831432 Barrichello takes Brazil pole, Webber third 5 April 2003 13 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20161027031457/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-04-06/barrichello-takes-brazil-pole-webber-third/1831432 27 October 2016 ABC News Barrichello was joined on the grid's front row by Coulthard who was 0.11 seconds slower after McLaren changed his car's balance. Webber was set to take pole position until a driver error at Pinheirinho demoted him to third.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99738606/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=91d24aef Barrichello sends Brazilian fans wild; Motor racing Rae Richard 6 April 2003 The Sunday Times 13 October 2019 25 Gale Academic OneFile subscription A driver error at the same turn and a loose car left Räikkönen in fourth as Trulli moved to fifth.http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22450 Brazilian GP qualifying: Rubens takes pole on home soil 5 April 2003 Autosport 13 October 2019 13 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191013101847/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22450 live Excessive oversteer and circumspect braking restricted Ralf Schumacher to sixth. Michael Schumacher made a minor error at the Senna S chicane and was seventh, his lowest starting position since qualifying ninth for the 1998 German Grand Prix. Fisichella qualified eighth, Montoya had an oversteer that put him ninth and Alonso was tenth. Button set the 11th-fastest lap, with his teammate Villeneuve 13th after an intermittent loss of power in the Senna S chicane; Heidfeld in 12th separated the pair. Frentzen took 14th and Panis (who made a driver error) 15th. Firman changed his car's setup and qualified 16th due to a driver error, ahead of Pizzonia in 17th, who had brake problems and an unbalanced car. An tight handling car and an unsuccessful fix to the problems left Da Matta in 18th. The Minardi cars were equipped with a hard compound tyre and completed the starting order in 19th and 20th (Verstappen ahead of Wilson). Qualifying classification Pos Position No. Car number Driver Constructor Q1 Time Q2 Time Gap Gap to the fastest driver in seconds Grid Final grid position 1 2 BRA Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1:23.249 1:13.807 —1 2 5 GBR David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.655 1:13.818 +0.0112 3 14 AUS Mark Webber Jaguar-Cosworth 1:23.111 1:13.851 +0.0443 4 6 FIN Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.607 1:13.866 +0.0594 5 7 ITA Jarno Trulli Renault 1:26.557 1:13.953 +0.1465 6 4 DEU Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1:26.709 1:14.124 +0.3176 7 1 DEU Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:25.585 1:14.130 +0.3237 8 11 ITA Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Ford 1:26.726 1:14.191 +0.3848 9 3 COL Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1:27.961 1:14.223 +0.4169 10 8 ESP Fernando Alonso Renault 1:26.203 1:14.384 +0.57710 11 17 GBR Jenson Button BAR-Honda No time1 1 1:14.504 +0.69711 12 9 DEU Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas 1:27.111 1:14.631 +0.82412 13 16 CAN Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda 1:25.672 1:14.668 +0.86113 14 10 DEU Heinz-Harald Frentzen Sauber-Petronas 1:26.375 1:14.8392 2 +1.03214 15 20 FRA Olivier Panis Toyota 1:25.614 1:14.8392 2 +1.03215 16 12 IRE Ralph Firman Jordan-Ford 1:28.083 1:15.240 +1.43316 17 15 BRA Antônio Pizzonia Jaguar-Cosworth 1:25.764 1:15.317 +1.51017 18 21 BRA Cristiano da Matta Toyota 1:26.554 1:15.641 +1.83418 19 19 NED Jos Verstappen Minardi-Cosworth 1:26.886 1:16.542 +2.73519 20 18 GBR Justin Wilson Minardi-Cosworth 1:28.317 1:16.586 +2.77920Source:Brazilian GP Friday qualifying http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=119102 motorsport.com 4 April 2003 15 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20050218102144/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=119009 18 February 2005 deadBrazilian GP Saturday qualifying http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=119102 motorsport.com 5 April 2003 15 October 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050318153742/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=119102 18 March 2005 Notes 1 1 – Jenson Button was left without a time in Q1 because he drove off the track and stopped the attempt. 2 2 – Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Olivier Panis set identical lap times in Q2. Since Frentzen set the time ahead of Panis, he was ranked ahead of him. Race On the morning of 6 April, McLaren sought permission from the FIA to change Räikkönen's engine after a crack in its casting was detected via telemetry. The FIA authorised the engine switch after it analysed data proving the engine was damaged. Telemetry from BAR also detected damage to Villeneuve's engine and were also allowed to change it.http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14882 Teams Have Power To Change Engines 6 April 2003 ITV-F1 live https://web.archive.org/web/20030407114624/http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14882 7 April 2003 13 October 2019 Rain was forecast for the race; at the start the track was flooded because of a torrential downpour that fell from at 11:00 Brasilia Time (UTC−02:00).http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22469 Monsoon conditions at Interlagos 6 April 2003 Autosport 13 October 2019 13 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191013111329/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22469 dead 120,000 spectators attended the Grand Prix.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99786231/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=6ba8614b Schumacher finds traffic growing ahead; Motor racing Eason Kevin 8 April 2003 The Times 14 October 2019 36 Gale Academic OneFile subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090416/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99786231&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=6ba8614b live It was due to commence at 14:00 local time, before the FIA race director Charlie Whiting delayed it for 15 minutes,Brazilian GP as it happened https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2922515.stm BBC Sport 6 April 2003 11 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20030406222925/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2922515.stm 6 April 2003 live to enable standing water to be drained from the circuit.http://www.f1racing.net/news.php?ID=55807 Cool Kimi plucks victory from madness 6 April 2003 F1Racing.net dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030420211942/http://www.f1racing.net/news.php?ID=55807 20 April 2003 11 October 2019 Event organisers permitted teams to alter the setup of their cars to run on a sodden track, specially the wings and ride heights.http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10054/.html Teams Allowed to Change Cars Set-Up 6 April 2003 Atlas F1 subscription 13 October 2019 13 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191013111331/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10054/.html dead The standing water caused heavy spray and impaired visibility, and all vehicles used wet-weather tyre compounds. The track's deficient drainage caused a large amount of water to cascade from a slope onto the tarmac surface at the inside of the bottom of Curva do Sol corner and made it susceptible for cars to aquaplane.http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14883 Kimi Emerges From Brazilian Chaos 6 April 2003 ITV-F1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030407115402/http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14883 7 April 2003 13 October 2019Hamilton Maurice May 2023 Two become one https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/racing/2023/05.pdf GP Racing 62–68 6 April 2026 Porsche Cars History The race began behind the safety car,Elizalde Pablo The 2003 Brazilian GP Review http://www.atlasf1.com/2003/bra/elizalde.html AtlasF1 9 15 9 April 2003 13 December 2021 https://archive.today/20211213073420/http://www.atlasf1.com/2003/bra/elizalde.html 13 December 2021 live with no formation lap; notwithstanding the slow speed drivers struggled for grip on the flooded track surface.http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=119217 Raikkonen declared winner of chaotic Brazilian GP Reynolds Nikki 6 April 2003 motorsport.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050218102349/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=119217 18 February 2005 11 October 2019 Some drivers (including Verstappen, Frentzen, Pizzonia, Panis, Fisichella and Firman) elected to make pit stops for fuel under safety car conditions in an attempt to avoid having to make a second pit stop later in the race. After the rain had stopped, the safety car drove into the pit lane at the end of lap eight, and cars were allowed to overtake. Barrichello bunched up the field on the approach to the start/finish line;http://crash.net/f1/racereports_others.asp?feature_id=2797&language_id=1&championship_id=1 Brazilian GP 2003 – Raikkonen the Rainman 6 April 2003 Crash dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030605002826/http://crash.net/f1/racereports_others.asp?feature_id=2797&language_id=1&championship_id=1 5 June 2003 11 October 2019 the manoeuvre failed to work and Coulthard passed him for the lead under braking for the Senna S chicane. Barrichello was circumspect for the rest of the lap as Webber and Räikkönen pressured him. Further down the order, Montoya moved from ninth to fifth. Heidfeld became the Grand Prix's first retirement on lap nine when his engineers informed him over the radio of an oil feed problem that cut out his engine. He pulled off to the side of the track to ensure that no oil was deposited on the racing line.http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700racenotes.html Brazilian GP – Sunday – Race Notes 7 April 2003 GrandPrix.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030407104718/http://www.grandprix.com/race/r700racenotes.html 7 April 2003 13 October 2019 upright|thumb|left|Kimi Räikkönen (pictured in 2002) was initially declared the winner of the race due to a timekeeping error. On lap ten, Räikkönen overtook Barrichello for second at the Senna S chicane and lost third when Montoya passed him later that lap. There were overtakes further down the field on that lap. Ralf Schumacher moved past Trulli for sixth and Pizzonia passed Verstappen for fifteenth. On the 11th lap, Räikkönen closed up to his teammate Coulthard and passed him to take the lead on the approach to the Senna S chicane. Not long after Montoya overtook Coulthard for third at the end of the Reta Oposta straight that leads to the Descida do Lago corner. That same lap, Ralf Schumacher and Trulli made contact, causing the former to spin. Webber then overtook Barrichello for fourth and Michael Schumacher did the same on his teammate soon after for fifth. Ralf Schumacher began to recover lost positions with an overtake on Villeneuve for tenth on the 12th lap. At the front of the field, Räikkönen had increased his lead over Montoya to five seconds by lap 14. On the same lap, Montoya reported a loss of rear tyre grip to his team over the radio and ran wide leaving Junção turn. Coulthard overtook Montoya for second. As the circuit began to dry, except for turn three which continued to have water stream across it, Coulthard began to close up to his teammate Räikkönen, as Michael Schumacher overtook Webber on the inside for fourth on lap 15 leaving Arquibancdas turn. On the 16th lap, Michael Schumacher moved into third position with a pass on the slower Montoya around the outside at the Bico de Pato corner. Wilson drove through a river at the Curva do Sol turn and aquaplaned off another on the following lap. He retired after he was unable to restart his car. Coulthard drew close enough to his teammate Räikkönen by the 18th lap, just as Barrichello moved past Webber for fifth place. That same lap, Firman's right-front suspension system failed going into the braking area on the start/finish straight,Henry Alan https://archive.org/details/jensonbutton0000henr Jenson Button: A World Champion's Story Haynes Publishing 2009 978-1-84425-936-6 Sparkford, England 82–83 registration Alan Henry causing him to lose control of his car and his flailing right-front wheel narrowly avoided striking its cockpit. He narrowly avoided a collision with his teammate Fisichella,https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/24651626 My greatest race: Giancarlo Fisichella – The 2003 Brazilian GP Barretto Lawrence 24 November 2013 BBC Sport live https://web.archive.org/web/20191013183439/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/24651626 13 October 2019 13 October 2019 struck the rear of Panis's car at almost 190 mph km/h on.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99737599/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=36a7369c Raikkonen weathers storm to triumph amid the wreckage; Motor racing Eason Kevin 7 April 2003 The Times 13 October 2019 36 Gale Academic OneFile subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090414/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99737599&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=36a7369c live Panis's rear wing was removed and the front of Firman's car sustained damage. The safety car was deployed for the second time for debris clearing. Several drivers took the opportunity to make pit stops for fuel and tyres. Montoya avoided a collision with Trulli and Alonso stopped twice since he had the incorrect tyres installed on his car. The safety car was withdrawn at the end of lap 22 and Räikkönen closed the field up to maintain the lead from Coulthard, Michael Schumacher and the yet-to-stop Da Matta. On the Reta Oposta straight, Barrichello overtook Da Matta for fourth on lap 23, as a driver error dropped Frentzen from eighth to sixteenth and Ralf Schumacher passed Verstappen for eleventh. Montoya overtook Da Matta for fifth and Ralf Schumacher moved past Button for ninth during lap 24. On the 25th lap, Montoya aquaplaned at the Curva do Sol and crashed into a right-hand side barrier. Pizzonia hit the water stream flowing across the circuit at the same corner and aquaplaned. He collided with the wall, ricocheted off it and struck Montoya's car. The accidents elevated Da Matta to fifth and Webber to sixth. By lap 26, Alonso had passed Villeneuve and Fisichella to move to tenth. thumb|upright|Michael Schumacher (pictured in 2007) was one of six drivers to be caught out by a stream of water at the Curva do Sol corner Lap 27 saw the third safety car deployment: Michael Schumacher aquaplaned off the stream of water at the Curva do Sol turn and avoided hitting a recovery crane extricating Montoya and Pizzonia's vehicles from the side of the track. He stopped on a run-off area and failed to finish a race for the first time since the 2001 German Grand Prix. Räikkönen and Da Matta made their pit stops for fuel under safety car conditions. Coulthard took the lead and maintained it at the lap 30 restart. Räikkönen overtook Fisichella and Verstappen to return to seventh position and Da Matta passed Frentzen. On the 31st lap, Verstappen aquaplaned on the stream of water at the Curva do Sol corner and retired. The water caught out Button on lap 33: he lost control of his vehicle and crashed heavily against the barrier. Button was unhurt. The accident necessitated the safety car's fourth deployment. In the meantime, his teammate Villeneuve spun and fell behind Frentzen and Trulli. During the safety car period, Da Matta made a pit stop to correct a technical problem. At the lap 37 restart, Da Matta and Webber passed Villeneuve. Räikkönen overtook Alonso on the start/finish straight into the Senna S chicane for fourth on the 38th lap. Further round the lap, he passed Ralf Schumacher on the outside line going into the Descida do Lago corner. Frentzen in eighth was overtaken by Webber and Villeneuve re-passed Da Matta for tenth during the same lap. On lap 40, Alonso steered to the inside to extract additional grip and passed Ralf Schumacher at Mergulho turn for fourth position. As Barrichello gained on race leader Coulthard, the stewards informed Renault on the 42nd lap that Alonso had been issued a drive-through penalty because he was deemed to have overtaken Ralf Schumacher under yellow flag conditions. He took the penalty on the same lap and fell from fourth to ninth. On the 44th lap, Webber lost control of the rear of his car at the Curva do Sol corner and spun through 360 degrees. He avoided contact with the barrier and merged onto the track after Frentzen, Alonso and Villeneuve passed him. At the front of the field, Coulthard (on worn tyres) ran wide on the approach to the Senna S chicane and Barrichello used the driver error to pass him for first position on lap 45. Barrichello began to pull away from Coulthard, extending his lead to 4.2 seconds by lap 46's conclusion, who in turn, was 15 seconds ahead of his teammate Räikkönen. On lap 47, Barrichello pulled off at the side of the circuit to retire from the event for the ninth consecutive year, causing the first Ferrari's double withdrawal since the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix. A fuel feed problem was suspected to have caused Barrichello's retirement until it was traced to a malfunctioning in-car computer calculating it had 12 l on more fuel than normal and an error with Ferrari's telemetry did not inform the team he had run out of fuel.http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14897 Rubens Ran Out Of Fuel 6 April 2003 ITV-F1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030810013837/http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14897 10 August 2003 14 October 2019 Coulthard returned to the lead, eighteen seconds ahead of his teammate Räikkönen in second and Fisichella third. By the 48th lap, drivers became concerned over fuel. Ralf Schumacher made a pit stop and rejoined in ninth. Alonso and Frentzen overtook Trulli and demoted him to sixth during laps 49 and 50. left|thumb|upright|Fernando Alonso (pictured in 2004) sustained a major accident that contributed to a premature conclusion to the Grand Prix.On the 52nd lap, Coulthard made a pit stop for tyres after a minor loss of car control through Junção corner and the start/finish straight. He rejoined the race in fourth position. Räikkönen retook the lead with the faster Fisichella second and Alonso third. On lap 54, a lack of tyre grip caused Räikkönen to understeer on the approach to the Mergulho turn and Fisichella passed him for the lead. Both drivers were borderline on fuel and it appeared Coulthard would return to the lead and win the event. At Arquibancadas corner, Webber attempted to prevent his worn intermediate tyres from overheating wherever possible and lost car grip on the crest to the pit lane straight on lap 54.Aussie Grit: My Formula One Journey Webber Mark 2015 Pan Macmillan Australia 978-1-5098-1353-7 Sydney, Australia 166–167 Mark Webber (racing driver) He struck the concrete barriers on both sides of the circuit before the start/finish straight at 240 km/h mph on.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99695650/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=5ee870d5 Crashed Webber still earns points Young Byron 8 April 2003 Herald Sun 14 October 2019 070 Gale OneFile: News subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090419/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99695650&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=5ee870d5 live Debris from Webber's car and three of its tyres were strewn across the track and causing the safety car's fifth deployment. Webber clambered from his car unhurt. Fisichella and Räikkönen negotiated their way through the debris and the latter entered the pit lane to stop for fuel. Alonso did not notice the waved yellow flags informing him of a hazard, because he was discussing whether to use dry or wet tyres with Renault over the radio.https://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/formula-1/2015-11-13/fernando-alonso-renault-gp-brasil-interlagos-2003_1094613/ Brasil 2003: el día en que Fernando Alonso pudo hacerse daño de verdad 13 November 2015 El Confidencial 14 October 2019 es Brazil 2003: the day Fernando Alonso could really hurt himself 14 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014094458/https://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/formula-1/2015-11-13/fernando-alonso-renault-gp-brasil-interlagos-2003_1094613/ live He hit one of Webber's detached rear wheels at around 270 km/h mph on in an impact measured at 4.5 g0 on. Alonso veered left and struck a tyre wall at 35 g0 on lateral and longitudinal. The car was launched broadside across the circuit and into a concrete barrier at 60 g0 on. Alonso sustained a bruised left elbow, knee and thigh,https://www.crash.net/f1/news/45315/1/alonso-discharged Alonso discharged Wilkins Robert 8 April 2003 Crash 14 October 2019 14 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014094509/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/45315/1/alonso-discharged live a group of medical personnel placed him on a stretcher for transport by ambulance to the Saint Louis Hospital in São Paulo for observation.https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alonso-speaks-about-brazil-crash/119402/ Alonso speaks about Brazil crash 9 April 2003 Renault motorsport.com 14 October 2019 14 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014100001/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/alonso-speaks-about-brazil-crash/119402/ live Because of a large amount of debris, personnel tending to Alonso, and 75% of the race distance covered, race continuation behind the safety car was impossible. The race ended early with a red flag after leader Fisichella finished lap 55, and all cars subsequently returned to the pit lane. Fisichella's car overheated because the safety car was slow and fire emerged from the engine bay at the rear of the car as he stopped in parc fermé, The sporting regulations stated that the race would be "deemed to have finished when the leading car crossed the line at the end of the lap two laps prior to that lap during which the signal to stop was given" in the event more than 75% of it was completed. The official timekeeping screens first showed that Fisichella had begun his 56th lap; then this status briefly disappeared and displayed it as on his 55th. The race stewards based their decision on the belief Fisichella was still on his 55th lap.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2937339.stm Fisichella awarded Brazil win 11 April 2003 BBC Sport live https://web.archive.org/web/20030421210905/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2937339.stm 21 April 2003 14 October 2019 Fisichella celebrated with the Jordan team in the belief he had won before they were informed Räikkönen had won;https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399392/Brazil-Grand-Prix-under-review.html Brazil Grand Prix under review 9 April 2003 The Daily Telegraph 14 October 2019 14 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014124244/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399392/Brazil-Grand-Prix-under-review.html live Räikkönen was informed while being weighed. Alonso was third, Coulthard fourth, the non-stopping Frentzen fifth, Villeneuve sixth, Webber seventh (notwithstanding his crash) and Trulli eighth. Ralf Schumacher and Da Matta (who had oversteer) were the final provisional finishers. Post-race Because Alonso was in hospital, Räikkönen and Fisichella appeared on the podium to collect their trophies and spoke to the media in a later press conference. Räikkönen believed he was lucky to be awarded the victory: "I think that it came so quickly that we didn't make the decision quickly enough but in the end it was the right decision, so thanks to the team. It was a difficult race because the conditions were so bad and the safety car was out so often, but I'm pretty happy." Fisichella said he was disappointed with the race's situation: "first of all for Fernando, I hope that he's alright and then also because I won the race but the rules say that when there is a red flag, the result is taken from one lap before (two laps in fact) so I am very sorry about that but I never thought I would finish in second position so it's a great day anyway." Alonso received messages of well-being from the public and rally driver Carlos Sainz. He was discharged from hospital after 12 hours,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2923287.stm Alonso released from hospital 7 April 2003 BBC Sport live https://web.archive.org/web/20031206180811/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2923287.stm 6 December 2003 14 October 2019 and returned to Madrid on the morning of 8 April to begin physical therapy for the following 2003 San Marino. Alonso commented on the accident: "I thought my race was going pretty well. But then I came round the final corner to find debris everywhere and I had nowhere to go. I think I hit a wheel, and the next thing I knew I was headed for the barriers." He attributed the HANS device for preventing him from sustaining more serious injuries. Webber was not required to take a medical test and performed 60 push-ups to persuade his physiotherapist he had suffered no long-term complications from his crash. He called it "the biggest accident I've had in a Formula One car" and revealed his neck and knees took most of the force from the impact: "I haven't been in a race that crazy before and it's the most damage I've done to a Formula One car. I've knocked two corners off before but nothing like this." After their crashes, Schumacher and Alonso were reported to the FIA by an observer within the governing body; the stewards could not question Alonso in Brazil as he was in hospital. Schumacher was interviewed by Whiting at the San Marino Grand Prix pre-event drivers' meeting on 17 April.Henry Alan Schumacher in dock for ignoring safety flag https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/18/formulaone.formulaone2003 The Guardian 17 April 2003 14 October 2019 14 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014195355/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/18/formulaone.formulaone2003 liveEason Kevin Schumacher to face questions about crash; Motor racing https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A100261180/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=407ce698 The Times 18 April 2003 14 October 2019 47 Gale Academic OneFile subscription Two days later, Alonso and Schumacher met with Whiting individually; he cautioned the two over their future driving standards and did not further reprimand them.Schumacher, Alonso Escape FIA Reprimand http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10207/.html Atlas F1 19 April 2003 14 October 2019 subscription 14 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014195355/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2003/apr/report.php/id/10207/.html dead Villeneuve said he felt the drivers and not the track conditions contributed to unsafe racing: "It is down to the drivers to be less crazy in those conditions and there was some crazy driving out there. Some drivers were overtaking under the yellow flags, halfway through the race I saw Alonso overtake under the flags. I think that is the kind of driving that leads to big accidents."http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14898 JV Criticises 'Crazy' Drivers 6 April 2003 ITV-F1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20030407121237/http://www.itv-f1.com/news/news_story/14898 7 April 2003 14 October 2019 After his first race retirement since the 2001 German Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher stated he was unworried over the possibility of him winning his sixth World Drivers' Championship: "In terms of the championship, obviously it would have been better for us if Fisichella had won the race in Brazil instead of Raikkonen, especially as Giancarlo drove a good race anyway. But the gap to the championship leader is not so big, given there are still 13 races, so there is no need to be concerned about it." Barrichello said he would continue to strive to win the Brazilian Grand Prix and was frustrated to learn a fuel problem caused his retirement: "I feel an enormous disappointment but I am not losing hope. I will not stop racing until I win in this country."http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22495 Rubens won't quit until he wins at home 8 April 2003 Autosport 14 October 2019 14 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014175934/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/22495 live Coulthard said he was annoyed with himself for making a pit stop before the red flags were shown because he believed he could have won the race had he not done so: "I am going away from here without a Grand Prix win that I worked hard for. I believe I have more claim on that victory than other people. I'd done my final stop of the race and I know the three guys in front of me all had to come in again if the race had not been stopped."https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99693830/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=58e185c2 Formula One: Coulthard infuriated after victory denied by pit-stop error Gordon Ian 7 April 2003 Birmingham Post 14 October 2019 17 Gale OneFile: News subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090421/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99693830&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=58e185c2 live Frentzen lauded Sauber's decision to change its strategy that saw him start the event in the team's spare car: "At the end of the day it turned out to be the right decision. It was not easy to run with a full tank and I had a lot of aquaplaning which made me spin once. But we finished fifth and scored four points, so I am very happy about this result." Paul Stoddart, the Minardi team owner, claimed they could have taken victory had both its cars been running: "Today saw possibly the first time ever that Minardi was potentially in a genuine, race-winning position. Many people may laugh, but only those of us within the team will ever know the truth. We had the strategy, but not the luck." Timekeeping error The Jordan team and Whiting discussed the discrepancy with the official timekeeping by timekeepers TAG Heuer and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) concluded that this was sufficient to warrant an investigation.Noble Jon 5 November 2025 An unlikely F1 victory was nearly derailed by hire car mistake https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/unlikely-f1-win-fisichella-brazil-jordan-nearly-derailed-hire-car-mistake/ 6 November 2025 The Race Whiting flew to London from Brazil on the morning of 8 April and launched the internal investigation into the result of the race.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A99897009/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=ad78e897 Fisichella may be granted victory on a countback; Motor racing Eason Kevin 10 April 2003 The Times 15 October 2019 61 Gale Academic OneFile subscription 14 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211214090444/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA99897009&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=ad78e897 live He was concerned about a possible timekeeping error and asked representatives from TAG Heuer and the three race stewards for the Brazilian Grand Prix, to attend a meeting at the FIA headquarters in Paris on the morning of 11 April as part of compliance with Article 179 (b) of the International Sporting Code. Oral arguments as well as timing and video evidence gathered by Jordan were presented to a FIA court in Paris, which, on 11 April, awarded victory to Fisichella. McLaren declined to file an appeal. This was Fisichella's first Formula One win and the Jordan team's last. An unofficial ceremony was arranged for during the next race weekend at Imola, where Räikkönen and Ron Dennis handed over the winning driver's and constructor's trophies to Fisichella and Eddie Jordan.Brazil 2003: Result overturned - Fisichella gets winners trophy at Imola https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfa1TNF0AHQ en 10 August 2019 20 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201120060343/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfa1TNF0AHQ live Race classification Pos Position No. Car number Driver Constructor Tyre Laps Laps competed Time/Retired Grid Final grid position Points 1 11 ITA Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Ford Bridgestone 54 1:31:17.748 8 10 2 6 FIN Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes Michelin 54 +0.945 4 8 3 8 ESP Fernando Alonso Renault Michelin 54 +6.348 10 6 4 5 GBR David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes Michelin 54 +8.096 2 5 5 10 DEU Heinz-Harald Frentzen Sauber-Petronas Bridgestone 54 +8.642 PL Pit lane3 3 4 6 16 CAN Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda Bridgestone 54 +16.054 13 3 7 4 DEU Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW Michelin 54 +38.526 6 2 8 7 ITA Jarno Trulli Renault Michelin 54 +45.927 5 1 9 14 AUS Mark Webber Jaguar-Cosworth Michelin 53 Accident 3   10 21 BRA Cristiano da Matta Toyota Michelin 53 +1 lap 18   Ret Retired 2 BRA Rubens Barrichello Ferrari Bridgestone 46 Out of fuel 1   Ret Retired 17 GBR Jenson Button BAR-Honda Bridgestone 32 Accident 11   Ret Retired 19 NED Jos Verstappen Minardi-Cosworth Bridgestone 30 Spin PL Pit lane3 3   Ret Retired 1 DEU Michael Schumacher Ferrari Bridgestone 26 Accident 7   Ret Retired 3 COL Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW Michelin 24 Accident 9   Ret Retired 15 BRA Antônio Pizzonia Jaguar-Cosworth Michelin 24 Accident PL Pit lane3 3   Ret Retired 20 FRA Olivier Panis Toyota Michelin 17 Collision 15   Ret Retired 12 IRL Ralph Firman Jordan-Ford Bridgestone 17 Suspension/collision PL Pit lane3 3   Ret Retired 18 GBR Justin Wilson Minardi-Cosworth Bridgestone 15 Spin 20   Ret Retired 9 DEU Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas Bridgestone 8 Engine 12  Source:2003 Brazilian Grand Prix – Race http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2003/4/ Formula One 26 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150111092242/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2003/4/ 11 January 2015 Notes 3 3 — Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Ralph Firman, Antônio Pizzonia and Jos Verstappen started from the pit lane. Championship standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings +/– Pos Position Driver Points 10px 1 FIN Kimi Räikkönen 24 10px 2 GBR David Coulthard 15 10px 2 3 ESP Fernando Alonso 14 10px 12 4 ITA Giancarlo Fisichella 10 10px 2 5 ITA Jarno Trulli 9Source:https://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/bresil/championnat.aspx Brazil 2003 – Championship StatsF1 13 March 2019 17 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171117095738/http://www.statsf1.com/en/2003/bresil/championnat.aspx live Constructors' Championship standings +/– Pos Position Constructor Points 10px 1 GBR McLaren-Mercedes 39 10px 1 2 FRA Renault 23 10px 1 3 ITA Ferrari 16 10px 4 GBR Williams-BMW 16 10px 2 5 IRL Jordan-Ford 10Source: Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings. Notes note References External links Brazilian Grand Prix 2003 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix 2003 San Marino Grand Prix 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix 23 42 13 S 46 41 59 W source:kolossus-nowiki title Brazilian Grand Prix Category:Brazilian Grand Prix Grand Prix Brazilian Grand Prix Category:Formula One controversies