2003 German Grand Prix

Championship standings

Michael Schumacher leads with 69 points, seven ahead of Räikkönen in second and fourteen ahead of Montoya in third. Ferrari lead the Constructors’ on 118 points, Williams second on 108, McLaren third on 95.

Previous race

At Silverstone, Barrichello won from pole after a race disrupted twice by the safety car. On lap 11, a track invader — Neil Horan, wearing a saffron kilt and waving religious banners — ran down the Hangar Straight towards oncoming cars at 170 mph, forcing drivers to swerve. A marshal tackled him and pulled him off the track; Horan was later charged with aggravated trespass. The majority of the field pitted under the resulting safety car, which shuffled Schumacher, Alonso and Montoya outside the top ten. Räikkönen led before Barrichello pressured him into a mistake and took the win. A further Räikkönen error handed Montoya second.

Entrants

After a string of disappointing results, Jaguar drops Antônio Pizzonia and hires Justin Wilson from Minardi to replace him from this race onwards. Pizzonia is offered a test role with the team but declines. Wilson’s Minardi seat is taken by Danish Formula 3000 driver Nicolas Kiesa, making his Formula One debut.

Practice

David Coulthard leads the first session, ahead of the Renaults of Trulli and Alonso. Montoya leads the second session ahead of Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher. Ralf Schumacher leads the third, in the order Schumacher–Barrichello–Montoya.