2003 French Grand Prix
The 2003 French Grand Prix (formally the LXXXIX Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France) was a Formula One motor race held on 6 July 2003 at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. It was the tenth race of the 2003 Formula One season. The 70-lap race was won by Ralf Schumacher driving for the Williams team after starting from pole position, which would turn out to be his last race win in Formula One. Juan Pablo Montoya finished second in the other Williams car, with Michael Schumacher third driving for Ferrari. Ralf Schumacher's victory was his second consecutive win of the season having won the preceding European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.
| 2003 French Grand Prix | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Race 10 of 16 in the 2003 Formula One World Championship
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| Race details | |||||
| Date | 6 July 2003 | ||||
| Official name | LXXXIX Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France | ||||
| Location | Magny-Cours, France | ||||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||||
| Course length | 4.411 km (2.741 miles) | ||||
| Distance | 70 laps, 308.586 km (191.746 miles) | ||||
| Weather | Cloudy, Air: 26 °C (79 °F), Track 35 °C (95 °F) | ||||
| Attendance | 101,537 | ||||
| Pole position | |||||
| Driver | Williams-BMW | ||||
| Time | 1:15.019 | ||||
| Fastest lap | |||||
| Driver | Juan Pablo Montoya | Williams-BMW | |||
| Time | 1:15.512 on lap 36 | ||||
| Podium | |||||
| First | Williams-BMW | ||||
| Second | Williams-BMW | ||||
| Third | Ferrari | ||||
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Lap leaders | |||||
As a consequence of the race, Michael Schumacher extended his lead in the World Drivers' Championship to eight points over Kimi Räikkönen, with Ralf Schumacher a further three points behind. In the World Constructors' Championship, Williams reduced the gap to Ferrari from thirteen points to three points.
This was the first French Grand Prix held at the upgraded version of Magny-Cours, having made Château d'Eau a sharper right hand corner, and a complete modification of the Lycée section, becoming a very sharp right hand turn after the back straight which then leads to a difficult final chicane next to the pit entrance. The pit lane was also significantly shortened as a result of the upgrades.
As of 2023, this is the last 1–2 finish for Williams.