2003 Malaysian Grand Prix

Championship standings

David Coulthard leads the championship after Australia with ten points, two ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya and four ahead of Räikkönen. McLaren lead the Constructors’ with 16 points, seven clear of Williams.

Previous race

At Albert Park, Coulthard took his 13th career victory after starting eleventh. The race featured heavy early-race rain, a safety car restart, and Barrichello jumping the start and crashing on lap six. Michael Schumacher was handed a black-and-orange flag for damaged bodywork after riding a kerb stone, dropping him to fourth. Montoya led before spinning on lap 48, handing Coulthard the win.

Between-race developments

In the three days following Australia, BAR, McLaren, Toyota and Williams tested at Circuito de Jerez. Toyota’s Cristiano da Matta set the pace on the first two days; BAR test driver Takuma Sato led on the final day. Ferrari test driver Felipe Massa spent four days evaluating Bridgestone tyres at Fiorano.

The American-led invasion of Iraq began four days before this race, raising security concerns. Malaysian junior finance minister Jamaluddin Jarjis confirmed the race will proceed. Minardi owner Paul Stoddart secured FIA and Bernie Ecclestone’s permission to carry anti-war messages on the team’s cars.

Michael Schumacher lost the championship lead in Australia for the first time since September 2000. He stated he remained confident of his chances: “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.”

Practice

The first practice session runs in dry, warm conditions with Coulthard fastest, 0.129 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso. Antônio Pizzonia’s Jaguar loses its front wing after running into a gravel trap; Heinz-Harald Frentzen stops at turn seven with a faulty electrical connector and is towed to the pit lane. Ralph Firman’s front-left suspension fails under braking for turn 15.

Saturday morning practice: Michael Schumacher loses control at 270 km/h leaving turn 12, going backwards into the gravel and damaging the undertray. Coulthard runs off into gravel traps twice, without damage both times. Justin Wilson’s left-rear wheel comes off on his first lap.

Räikkönen goes fastest in the final session. Coulthard spins at the final corner. Wilson’s car is recovered after the wheel detachment from the second session had not been fully resolved.