Barrichello wins Japan; Jos 15thMichael Schumacher Worldchampion

Published on 12 October 2003 by Huub Rothengatter

In the last Grand Prix of this season Michael Schumacher did what everyone expected; get the one point he needed and win the World Championship 2003. It will be his sixth, one more than the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. Rubens Barrichello made it happen that Ferrari won both titles, by coming first in this Grand Prix.

Rubens Barrichello wins in Suzuka

Before the race everyone had studies various scenarios. The surprising qualifying result made the Italians rethink their strategy. Luckily for Michael Schumacher and Ferrari Rubens Barrichello had a good day and went from pole to victory. Kimi Raikkonen needed 10 points to pass Michael in the Drivers' Championship, so a long as Rubens would win the Grand Prix Kimi wouldn't win the championship.
No problems when the race started. Rubens Barrichello went up front but was soon overtaken by Montoya who had more speed. Behind them Takuma Sato overtook Justin Wilson which startled Ralf Schumacher that he spin yet again. Again he had to start from the back of the field and make his way forward.


Ralf Schumacher not at his best in Suzuka

In lap 6 Michael Schumacher tried to overtake Sato but the Japanese driver kept his line and the two touched. Result: Michael Schumacher had to go into the pits for a new nose. When M. Schumacher rejoins the race at the back of the field Montoya retired with hydraulical problems. Heinz Harald Frentzen and Fernando Alonso follow suit in 9th and 16th lap respectively. Both Honda powered BAR cars were the top two for a short while.

From that moment it looks that the race has led its course. No more change of positions, other than the odd one due to pitstops. The 2 year old McLaren cars cannot keep up with Rubens Barrichello's F2003-GA, Ron Dennis could only hope for both to break down. Coulthard and Raikkonen did their best to get closer to Barrichello, but this circuit is definately designed for Bridgestone tyres and their performance does show compared to the Michelins.
It was getting clearer that both titles would go to the Italians yet again. Montoya's retirement and Ralf Schumacher's bad performance the Constructors' Championship stays out of reach of BMW Williams. Later in a fight over 7th and 8th position between Da Matta and both Schumachers maybe something Ron Dennis had hoped for could have happened. In an effort to overtake Da Matta Michael Schumacher made a wrong judgement and had to go off his line, this made Ralf Schumacher to veer aside and both Schumachers went off track with smoking tyres. Ralf was the one worst off, he lost his front wing. Yet again Ralf lost his chance and had to start all over again. Michael Schumacher is safe and his only concern is to finish the race in 8th position.


Michael Schumacher

Rubens Barrichello was doing the same thing and did what was expected of him. He finished first with Raikkonen in second and Coulthard third.
Both Minardi's proved to be very reliable. Jos finished in 15th well in front of his team mate Nicolas Kiesa. We will report later about Jos's findings later when we have spoken with him.