2003 Austrian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Räikkönen leads with 32 points, ahead of Michael Schumacher on 28 and Alonso on 25. Barrichello is fourth on 20 points; Coulthard a close fifth on 19. McLaren lead the Constructors’ on 51 points, three ahead of Ferrari. Renault and Williams contest fourth place.

Previous race

In Spain, Michael Schumacher won from pole — his second consecutive victory — leading home Alonso and Barrichello. The updated Ferrari F2003-GA, debuted at the Circuit de Catalunya, proved quick on the front row. Räikkönen retired after hitting the stalled Jaguar of Antônio Pizzonia at the start; Coulthard’s race ended with a second collision after an earlier incident with Trulli. McLaren’s first double DNF since Malaysia 2002 elevated Schumacher to second in the championship and closed Ferrari’s gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ to three points.

Milestones

It was announced in January 2003 that the Austrian Grand Prix will be dropped from the Formula One calendar in 2004, three years before the contract was due to expire. An exit clause was triggered by the European Union’s push to advance the tobacco advertising ban to October 2005. This is therefore the final Austrian Grand Prix until the circuit is eventually renamed and the race returns.