The 2003 Formula 1 season was the 54th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on 9 March 2003 and ended on 12 October 2003 after sixteen races. Michael Schumacher won his sixth World Drivers' Championship, driving for Ferrari, while Ferrari won the Constructors' Championship. The season introduced a new points system and a revised qualifying format.
The 2003 season began with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. David Coulthard won the race for McLaren, marking the first race under the new points system (10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1) which awarded points to the top eight finishers.
The 2003 season introduced a radically revised points system, awarding points to the top eight finishers (10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1) instead of the top six. A new single-lap qualifying format was also introduced, replacing the traditional 12-lap system. These changes were designed to increase competition and reduce Ferrari's dominance.
Kimi Raikkonen claimed his first Formula 1 victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, driving for McLaren-Mercedes. He would go on to become Schumacher's closest title rival throughout the season.
The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos was a rain-soaked, chaotic race marked by numerous crashes and red-flag stoppages. Giancarlo Fisichella was initially declared the winner in a Jordan, but the result was later corrected, awarding him his first F1 victory. It was Jordan's final Grand Prix win.
Michael Schumacher won the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1-Ring. This would be the last Austrian Grand Prix until 2014, as the circuit underwent major redevelopment. The race was also notable for a fiery crash involving Kimi Raikkonen.
Ralf Schumacher won the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, leading a Williams-BMW 1-2 with teammate Juan Pablo Montoya in second. This was part of a mid-season surge by Williams that made them competitive with Ferrari and McLaren.
Fernando Alonso won the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, becoming the youngest race winner in Formula 1 history at 22 years and 26 days old. Driving for Renault, Alonso's victory was a landmark moment for Spanish motorsport.
Michael Schumacher secured his record sixth World Drivers' Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing eighth in a chaotic race won by Rubens Barrichello. Schumacher clinched the title by just two points over Kimi Raikkonen, making it one of the closest championship battles of the era.
