May 2003

Monaco GP Saturday second qualifying session times:

1. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'15"259 159.768 Km/h 2. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'15"295 +0'00"036 3. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'15"415 +0'00"156 4. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'15"500 +0'00"241 5. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'15"644 +0'00"385 6. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'15"700 +0'00"441 7. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'15"820 +0'00"561 8. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'15"884 +0'00"625 9. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'16"237 +0'00"978 10. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'16"744 +0'01"485 11. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'16"755 +0'01"496 12. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'16"967 +0'01"708 13. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'17"103 +0'01"844 14. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'17"176 +0'01"917 15. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'17"402 +0'02"143 16. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'17"452 +0'02"193 17. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'17"464 +0'02"205 18. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'18"706 +0'03"447 19. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'20"063 +0'04"804

31 May 2003 The BAR cars are at risk of being seized after the GP at Monaco tomorrow. The threat comes from a dipute involving one of the team's sponsors, Teleglobe, that was forced into liquidation several years ago but never transferred its funds to third party PPGI. Now PPGI has obtained a judgement from a Monaco judge that the cars can be taken as payment for the missing three million dollars. Team boss Dave Richard is trying to reach a solution before the GP.

31 May 2003 Jenson Button suffered a serious crash during the second free practice session at Montecarlo today. The young Briton lost control of his BAR after exiting the tunnel, hit the barrier and was sent careering into the wall. The session was stopped and the emergency team had to cut Button out of the wreck of his car before taking him to hospital for check ups. Button has no broken bones, but he will miss the second qualifying session in the afternoon. It will be up to Prof. Sid Watkins to decide whether he will be allowed to race or not tomorrow. Coulthard clocked the fastest time in front of Montoya and the two Schumacher brothers.

Monaco GP Saturday second free practice session times:

1. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'14"747 160.863 Km/h 24 laps 2. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'15"098 +0'00"351 29 laps 3. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'15"255 +0'00"508 25 laps 4. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'15"303 +0'00"556 35 laps 5. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'15"517 +0'00"770 31 laps 6. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'15"604 +0'00"857 32 laps 7. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'15"861 +0'01"114 30 laps 8. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'15"886 +0'01"139 39 laps 9. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'16"311 +0'01"564 27 laps 10. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'16"810 +0'02"063 34 laps 11. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'16"895 +0'02"148 27 laps 12. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'17"113 +0'02"366 39 laps 13. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'17"232 +0'02"485 38 laps 14. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'17"290 +0'02"543 21 laps 15. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'17"686 +0'02"939 38 laps 16. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'17"986 +0'03"239 28 laps 17. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'18"101 +0'03"354 25 laps 18. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'18"167 +0'03"420 29 laps 19. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'18"425 +0'03"678 32 laps 20. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'18"606 +0'03"859 29 laps

31 May 2003 Räikkönen clocked the fastest time in the Saturday first free practice session for the Monaco GP. The Finn was faster than Montoya, Webber and M. Schumacher.

Monaco GP Saturday first qualifying session times:

1. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'15"752 158.728 Km/h 18 laps 2. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'16"612 +0'00"860 14 laps 3. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'16"615 +0'00"863 23 laps 4. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'16"687 +0'00"935 10 laps 5. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'16"724 +0'00"972 15 laps 6. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'16"886 +0'01"134 14 laps 7. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'16"895 +0'01"143 25 laps 8. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'16"938 +0'01"186 20 laps 9. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'16"988 +0'01"236 14 laps 10. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'16"991 +0'01"239 18 laps 11. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'17"232 +0'01"480 21 laps 12. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'17"490 +0'01"738 13 laps 13. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'17"747 +0'01"995 21 laps 14. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'18"010 +0'02"258 16 laps 15. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'18"101 +0'02"349 14 laps 16. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'18"308 +0'02"556 21 laps 17. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'18"370 +0'02"618 9 laps 18. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'19"342 +0'03"590 21 laps 19. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'19"529 +0'03"777 17 laps 20. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'20"574 +0'04"822 12 laps

29 May 2003 The first qualifying session for the Monaco GP was one where being amongst the first out gave an advantage. Räikkönen's best time was swiftly beaten by M. Schumacher, who lapped over a second and a half faster than the Finn. Barrichello was not far off the mark, barely three hundreds of a second behind his team mate. Coulthard and the Williams drivers also managed to complete their flying laps before Frentzen went out on track, suffered a blown up engine and caused the session to be red-flagged for 22 minutes. When the session restarted the track conditions had changed, putting the late qualifiers at a disadvantage. The big surprise of the afternoon was without doubt the two Minardi managing to finish ahead of the two Toyota.

Monaco GP Thursday first qualifying session times:

1. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'16"305 157.578 Km/h 2. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'16"636 +0'00"331 3. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'16"895 +0'00"590 4. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'16"905 +0'00"600 5. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'17"059 +0'00"754 6. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'17"063 +0'00"758 7. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'17"080 +0'00"775 8. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'17"108 +0'00"803 9. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'17"637 +0'01"332 10. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'17"912 +0'01"607 11. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'17"926 +0'01"621 12. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'18"109 +0'01"804 13. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'18"286 +0'01"981 14. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'18"370 +0'02"065 15. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'18"967 +0'02"662 16. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'19"421 +0'03"116 17. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'19"680 +0'03"375 18. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'19"903 +0'03"598 19. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'20"374 +0'04"069 20. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'34"110 +0'17"805

29 May 2003 Webber and Button topped the times table in the first free practice session for the Monaco GP. Coulthard, Alonso, Trulli and M. Schumacher followed.

Monaco GP Thursday free practice times:

1. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'16"373 157.438 Km/h 21 laps 2. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'16"476 +0'00"103 25 laps 3. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'16"505 +0'00"132 25 laps 4. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'16"578 +0'00"205 17 laps 5. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'16"800 +0'00"427 14 laps 6. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'16"915 +0'00"542 33 laps 7. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'16"930 +0'00"557 20 laps 8. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'17"173 +0'00"800 22 laps 9. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'17"218 +0'00"845 22 laps 10. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'17"372 +0'00"999 31 laps 11. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'17"550 +0'01"177 27 laps 12. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'17"710 +0'01"337 25 laps 13. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'17"811 +0'01"438 21 laps 14. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'17"913 +0'01"540 15 laps 15. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'18"039 +0'01"666 26 laps 16. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'18"133 +0'01"760 21 laps 17. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'18"660 +0'02"287 24 laps 18. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'18"952 +0'02"579 19 laps 19. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'19"026 +0'02"653 21 laps 20. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'19"956 +0'03"583 29 laps

28 May 2003 Renault's Jean-Jacques His will join the Ferrari-Maserati group in June as head the Granturismo Engine Department for the development of engines destined to the road-going cars. His will leave his role as Renault’s director of development at the end of May.

27 May 2003 Renault are going to ditch their revolutionary wide angle 111 degrees engine in order to concentrate on producing a more conventional 90 degrees V angle V10 for 2004. The more conventional approach will make it easier to produce an engine that lasts a whole weekend. Jean-Jacques His, who was in charge of the wide angle engine project, announced that he is leaving the team a month ago.

27 May 2003 German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport claimed that Ferrari suspect some former employees of leaking technical information about the F2002 to the competition. The main suspect is an unnamed technician who worked briefly for Ferrari, Renault and McLaren. Confidential data was supposedly found in his computer. The information was allegedly exchanged for a seven-digit figure and it was also allegedly offered to the Jaguar team, that refused it. Ove Andersson, questioned by the magazine about the similarity between the latest Toyota F1 car and the F2002 denied that the team was ever offered the data. Ferrari spokesperson Luca Colajanni said that the magazine allegations are completely stupid.

26 May 2003 Malaysian driver Alex Yoong, who failed to impress in Formula 1 last year, has been asked to step down from the Dale Coyne Racing seat after four Champ Car races with the team. Yoong said that he has been unable to find enough funding to allow him to continue racing because of lack of interest for the Champ Car series in Malaysia. Yoong did do considerably better in this series than in Formula 1.

26 May 2003 The Gulf Daily News reports that the Bahrain Formula 1 facility will be completed on time for the 2004 season and that the GP has been allocated a provisional date for the fourth of April. The circuit is due to be completed on the fourth of March. The original speculative date towards the end of the 2004 season had to be changed because of clashed with the Ramadan.

26 May 2003 Eddie Jordan has called for the elective free Friday testing to be moved to Sunday morning. The move would allow Friday to become a media day, while four practice sessions would be run on Saturday, attracting more spectators.

25 May 2003 Willi Weber, personal manager of the Schumacher brothers, said that Ralf would be more than open to offers from McLaren, were they interested in making him a drive.

24 May 2003 Coulthard could be driving the new MP4-18 at the European GP. McLaren managing director, Martin Whitmarsh, has confirmed the Scot’s opirnion, though a final decision will be made closer to the date.

22 May 2003 Trust International has increased its backing of the Minardi team and become its main sponsor. As a consequence, Minardi will be racing with a new colour scheme at the Monaco GP.

22 May 2003 The Autosport magazine claimed that Toyota have approached Renault's Mike Gascoyne. The rumour has been denied by Toyota, while Briatore rushed to say that Gascoyne is staying at Renault.

21 May 2003 McLaren's 2003 car, the MP4-18 will test for the first time today at Paul Ricard in France. Alex Wurz will drive the car in a three-days testing session.

20 May 2003 Cosworth is unhappy about Max Mosley's desire to force companies to supply customer engines for 10 millionUS dollars. Cosworth will have to consider its position in Formula 1, if such a regulation is passed. BMW and Honda have expressed similar feelings.

19 May 2003 The Ferrari team, that suffered a pit fire during refuelling yesterday, does not want refuelling banned on the ground of safety. Ross Brawn pointed out that the whole Formula 1 car is a whole technical exercise and the refuelling rig is part of it. Jean Todt commented that the main priority is to find out what had happened to make sure that a similar occurrence does not take place again.

18 May 2003 The teams said good bye to the Austrian GP with a race to remember. The start had to be aborted twice, in both cases because of Da Matta stalling his Toyota on the start line. After the first formation lap Webber and Alonso elected to start from the pit lane while Frentzen, who had stalled on the second formation lap, failed to start the race altogether. M. Schumacher took an early lead and held on to it until his first pit stop when the fuel rig, that had already given Barrichello problems, malfunctioned and spilled fuel on the car body, ignating. In a few franctic moments the mechanics brought the flames under control and sent M. Schumacher, who had sat calmly at the wheel during the fracas, out in third place. The German took full advantage of the F2003-GA speed and the unvoluntary low fuel load to catch up with Montoya and Räikkönen. Race leader Montoya was not to be the winner, despite a strong drive up to that point. His BMW engine blew up and the Colombian drove back to the pits and retired. Räikkönen, who was not far behind the Williams, was momentarily put off by the plume of smoke in front of him and M. Schumacher took advantage of the situation to take the lead from him. The next round of pit stops did not really change the racing order, despite an attempt from Barrichello to take second place from the Finn. M. Schumacher went on to win the last Austrian GP in front of Räikkönen, Barrichello, Button, Coulthard, R. Schumacher, Webber and Trulli.

Austrian GP finishing times:

1. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1h24'04"888 213.003 Km/h 2. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M + 0'03"362 212.862 Km/h 3. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B + 0'03"951 212.837 Km/h 4. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B + 0'42"243 211.235 Km/h 5. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M + 0'59"740 210.511 Km/h 6. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1 lap 7. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1 lap 8. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1 lap 9. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1 lap 10. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1 lap 11. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1 lap 12. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1 lap 13. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 2 laps 14. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 9 laps 15. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 23 laps 16. 8 ALONSO Renault M 25 laps 17. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 37 laps 18. 20 PANIS Toyota M 63 laps 19. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 69 laps 20. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 69 lap(s)

17 May 2003 M. Schumacher came out of the pit lane last to take away, despite a little wobble on sector one, the pole position from Räikkönen, who had held on to it up to that point. Barrichello had previously failed to do just that, settling for fifth place behind Montoya and Heidfeld. Trulli managed to get into sixth place ahead of Button and Pizzonia, while David Coulthard had to settle for an unsatisfactory 14th place on the grid. Verstappen failed to set a time after his car decided to stop of its own volition during the Dutchman's flying lap. He will start last on the grid just behind Fernando Alonso, who took a trip on the gravel trap and set a time 10 seconds off the pace.

Austrian GP second qualifying session times (starting grid):

1. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'09"150 225.215 Km/h 2. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'09"189 + 0'00"039 3. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'09"391 + 0'00"241 4. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'09"725 + 0'00"575 5. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'09"784 + 0'00"634 6. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'09"890 + 0'00"740 7. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'09"935 + 0'00"785 8. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'10"045 + 0'00"895 9. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'10"105 + 0'00"955 10. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'10"279 + 0'01"129 11. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'10"402 + 0'01"252 12. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'10"618 + 0'01"468 13. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'10"834 + 0'01"684 14. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'10"893 + 0'01"743 15. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'11"307 + 0'02"157 16. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'11"505 + 0'02"355 17. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'11"662 + 0'02"512 18. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'14"508 + 0'05"358 19. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'20"113 + 0'10"963 20. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'59"100 + 0'49"950

16 May 2003 The Schumacher brothers will be the first and last out in tomorrow's second qualifying session. M. Schumacher clocked the fastest lap time in front of team mate Barrichello, but his younger brother Ralf span his Williams out of his flying lap and will be the first one out tomorrow. It must be something to do with the name of a driver as the other Ralph, Firman, also sent his car out into the barrier. He will be the second driver out in tomorrow's qualifying session. Back to the top of the times table, the two Ferrari today were followed by the Jaguar of Webber and the the two BAR of Villeneuve and Button. Montoya and the two McLaren of Coulthard and Räikkönen followed.

Austrian GP first qualifying session times:

1. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'07"908 229.334 Km/h 2. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'08"187 +0'00"279 3. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'08"512 +0'00"604 4. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'08"680 +0'00"772 5. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'08"831 +0'00"923 6. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'08"839 +0'00"931 7. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'08"947 +0'01"039 8. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'08"978 +0'01"070 9. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'09"024 +0'01"116 10. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'09"281 +0'01"373 11. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'09"450 +0'01"542 12. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'09"479 +0'01"571 13. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'09"680 +0'01"772 14. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'09"764 +0'01"856 15. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'10"055 +0'02"147 16. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'10"370 +0'02"462 17. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'10"894 +0'02"986 18. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'11"056 +0'03"148 19. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'11"171 +0'03"263 20. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 2'00"000 +0'52"092

16 May 2003 The Austrian GP first free practice session saw Caoulthard come out on top, leading Trulli, Pizzonia, M. Schumacher, Webber and Alonso.

Austrian GP first free practice session times:

1. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'08"836 226.242 Km/h 22 laps 2. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'08"944 +0'00"108 28 laps 3. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'08"961 +0'00"125 17 laps 4. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'08"968 +0'00"132 33 laps 5. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'09"023 +0'00"187 26 laps 6. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'09"071 +0'00"235 25 laps 7. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'09"374 +0'00"538 28 laps 8. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'09"374 +0'00"538 26 laps 9. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'09"429 +0'00"593 23 laps 10. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'09"530 +0'00"694 28 laps 11. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'09"800 +0'00"964 26 laps 12. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'09"826 +0'00"990 31 laps 13. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'09"961 +0'01"125 24 laps 14. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'10"019 +0'01"183 28 laps 15. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'10"089 +0'01"253 20 laps 16. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'10"296 +0'01"460 24 laps 17. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'10"494 +0'01"658 28 laps 18. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'10"504 +0'01"668 21 laps 19. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'10"903 +0'02"067 14 laps 20. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'11"060 +0'02"224 16 laps

15 May 2003 The Jordan team has signed two new test drivers. They are Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner and Chzech Jaroslav Janis. Baumgartner, who already drove a Jordan last year in one of the support events in the Hungarian GP, will start working for the team from tomorrow, while 19 year old Janis will join the team towards the end of the current season. Both drivers come from the F3000 series.

14 May 2003 Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has handed a 31 December deadline to avoid the formation of a rival Championship. If an agreement is not reached by then, Montezemolo warned, the plan to set up the GPWC series will go ahead. Ferrari, Renault, Mercedes, Ford and BMW have been getting ready for the new series since last year, but will only agree to it if Ecclestone does not accept their demands by the end of the year. Currently the teams receive no revenues from trackside advertising and ticket sales and are entitled to only 47% of TV broadcast rights. the situation is made even more complex by the fact that three banks, Bayerische Landesbank, Lehman Brothers and JP Morgan, together own 75% of SLEC, F1’s commercial rights holder. Montezemolo has warned Ecclestone and the banksthat their shares in SLEC would be worthless if the breakaway series went ahead. Ecclestone is currentl working on a new deal to present to the team, who agreed last month to cooperate with the GPWC.

14 May 2003 German newspaper Kronenzeitung quotes Bernie Ecclestone as saying that the Austrian GP, missing from the 2004 calender, could be reinstated in the following years, if the teams agree to hold more races.

14 May 2003 In the Austrain GP the Renault team will introduce a new specification of the RS23 engine, with improved injection and lubrification systems.

13 May 2003 Mark Webber has admitted that team mate Antonio Pizzonia has been a little bit of a burden to the team. Pizzonia's struggle with the car created an unhealty atmosphere in the team, but now they were on the other side of it and hopefully things will get better, Webber said.

13 May 2003 Niki Lauda and 1-Ring managing director Hans Geist have accused the Austrian government of losing the Austrain GP. The contract was usually signed by sports minister Susanne Riess-Passer but, once she retired, nobody looked after the deal any more.

12 May 2003 Jun Pablo Montoya has been stopped for speeding and has lost his licence. The Colombian was clocked doing 204 km/h in Southern France between Les Arcs and Le Muy. He is facing a two-months driving ban in France, but this will not affect his ability to partecipate in the French GP.

11 May 2003 Alessandro Zanardi, the former Formula 1 driver who lost both legs in an Indy 500 accident at Lausitz EuroSpeedway in September 2001, has gone back to the circuit and completed the 13 laps that he never was able to do on that day. The emotional return was made possible thanks to a specially modified hand-operated Ford-Reynard. His fans in the crowd cheered him on as he completed the 26 miles. Afterwards he ruled out a return to professional racing, saying that he wants to be sure to be able to go back home to his wife and his young son every day.

11 May 2003 Bridgestone have unveiled a new compound for the Austrian GP. The new "extreme-weather" tyres are an answer to FIA's call to team to have available a compound that can be used in exceptional weather conditions.

9 May 2003 Mark Webber has extended his contract with Jaguar until the end of 2005.

8 May 2003 The Italian region of Sicily is entering the world of Formula 1 as the new sponsor of the Jordan team. The terms of the sponsorship deal will be made public next Saturday at 11.30am Italian time.

8 May 2003 German paper Bild has revelaed that M. Schuamcher is bringing in around 51 million euros a year in personal sponsorship.

8 May 2003 Max Mosley believes that at least two manufacturers are set to drop out of Formula 1 before the end of the current Concorde agreement in 2007. In the interview with the F1 Racing magazine Mosley refused to name the manufacturers, but they are believed to be Mercedes and BMW.

6 May 2003 The Director of Development at Renault F1 Team's Engine Division in Viry-Châtillon, Jean-Jacques His, is leaving Renault at the end of the month. His has been at Renault for almost 20 years, but has now decided that it is time for a change of career.

4 May 2003 Today's Spanish GP saw the racing debut of the F2003-GA. The new Ferrari was not so fast as expected, but also not so unreliable as expected either, and it carried M. Schumacher to his second win this season. Barrichello was denied the second place finisher by local hero Fernando Alonso, who drove a first class race in front of an ecstatic public to finish on the second step of the podium, having given Ferrari a hard time. R. Schumacher had to put up with an problematic car that forced him to lock his brakes continuously on bends letting other drivers through, but managed to finish in fifth place all the same, behind team mate Montoya in fourth. McLaren will probably want to forget today's race. Räikkönen started from the back of the grid after aborting the qualifying lap yesterday, but went straight into the back of Pizzonia's Jaguar, stalled on the track thanks to a launch control failure. Coulthard came together with Trulli at the start, but the safety car brought out to remove Pizzonia's and Räikkönen's cars allowed him to go back to the pits for quick repairs and new tyres. He eventually came together with Button and retired from the race, allowing Ferrari to close the gap in the Constructors Championship. Da Matta, Webber and Firman also finished in the points. Full race report will follow.

Spanish GP finishing times:

1. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1h33'46"933 196.620 Km/h 2. 8 ALONSO Renault M +0'05"716 196.420 Km/h 3. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B +0'18"001 195.993 Km/h 4. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M +1'02"022 194.476 Km/h 5. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M +1 lap 6. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M +1 lap 7. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M +1 lap 8. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B +2 laps 9. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B +2 laps 10. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B +2 laps 11. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B +2 laps 12. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B +3 laps

3 May 2003 So, things are back the way they used to be before the new rules and the freak weather of the first three races. The new Ferrari F2003-GA took the front front row for tomorrow's Spanish GP, with M. Schumacher in pole position, and made it look easy to boot. The second row is a all-Renault affair, with Alonso, who held pole position until Barrichello came on the scene, in front of team mate Trulli. Button and Panis will line up on the third row. Next are R. Schumacher, Coulthard and Montoya and this is probably where Räikkönen should also hanve been, had the Finn not gone wide on his flying lap and decided to abort the qualifying run. Because of the new rules introduced following Minardi's shenanigans in the first GP of the season, Kimi's McLaren will still be put in parc fermé and the team will not be able to replace any part that might have been damaged in Räikkönen's trip on the gravel. Coulthard too has reasons not to be happy with his qualifying. His engine failed just before his turn and he quickly had to change to the spare car. The same thing had happened earlier to Fisichella, who suffered the double setback of having both the race car and the spare car's engines fail. Luckily he was due out immediately after one of the breaks carefully scheduled into the qualifying session to allow for adverts in the TV broadcast and the Jordan mechanics had the time to get the spare car's engine going again. The winner of the Brazilian GP only managed to qualify in 17th place though.

Spanish GP second qualifying session times (grid positions):

1. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'17"762 218.976 Km/h 2. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B +0'00"258 3. 8 ALONSO Renault M +0'00"471 4. 7 TRULLI Renault M +0'00"853 5. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B +0'00"942 6. 20 PANIS Toyota M +0'01"049 7. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M +0'01"244 8. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M +0'01"366 9. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M +0'01"615 10. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B +0'01"665 11. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B +0'01"801 12. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M +0'01"853 13. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M +0'01"861 14. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B +0'01"884 15. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B +0'02"453 16. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M +0'02"546 17. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B +0'03"214 18. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B +0'04"342 19. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B +0'04"475 20. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M +0'14"138

2 May 2003 The new Ferrari F2003-GA showed off in the first qualifying session for the Spanish GP, but failed to get the two top spots as Trulli on Renault split M. Schumacher and Barrichello. Da Matta clocked the fourth fastest time on a track he knows very well, staying ahead of Button and Panis. Webber managed to keep the two McLaren behind, while Williams drivers R. Schumacher and Montoya finished in the bottom half of the times table.

Spanish GP first qualifying session times:

1. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'17"130 220.770 Km/h 2. 7 TRULLI Renault M +0'00"019 3. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B +0'00"088 4. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M +0'00"313 5. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B +0'00"483 6. 20 PANIS Toyota M +0'00"616 7. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M +0'00"663 8. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M +0'00"732 9. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M +0'00"930 10. 8 ALONSO Renault M +0'00"970 11. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M +0'01"279 12. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B +0'01"331 13. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M +0'01"398 14. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M +0'01"477 15. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B +0'01"749 16. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B +0'01"779 17. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B +0'01"920 18. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B +0'02"065 19. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B +0'03"692 20. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B +0'03"970

2 May 2003 The new Ferrari F2003-GA came out on track in an official event for the first time today in the Friday first free practice session, but failed to claim the topspot. Despite a roaring start, the Ferrari duo soon dropped down in the times table, that was topped by Williams' R. Schumacher. Trulli, the fastest driver in the Friday tests, followed close by, with Alonso, Coulthard, Panis and Montoya in tow.

Spanish GP Friday first free practice times:

1. 4 R. SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'17"015 221.100 Km/h 17 laps 2. 7 TRULLI Renault M +0'00"123 7 laps 3. 8 ALONSO Renault M +0'00"169 11 laps 4. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M +0'00"194 20 laps 5. 20 PANIS Toyota M +0'00"205 13 laps 6. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M +0'00"882 18 laps 7. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M +0'00"918 17 laps 8. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B +0'00"971 29 laps 9. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M +0'01"086 26 laps 10. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B +0'01"288 25 laps 11. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M +0'01"335 18 laps 12. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B +0'01"624 18 laps 13. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B +0'01"676 16 laps 14. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B +0'01"716 23 laps 15. 1 M. SCHUMACHER Ferrari B +0'01"723 24 laps 16. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B +0'01"939 18 laps 17. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B +0'02"204 19 laps 18. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M +0'02"322 17 laps 19. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B +0'03"249 21 laps 20. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B +0'03"544 12 laps

2 May 2003 A Jaguar mechanic was hit by Pizzonia during the Spanish GP Friday test session. Andy Saunders was sent flying two metres into the air when Pizzonia, whose future with the team is under threat, overshot his pit box. Saunders was taken to the medical center, where he was diagnosed to have suffered cuts and bruises but nothing more serious.

2 May 2003 Trulli topped the times table in the Friday test practice for the Spanish GP in Barcelona. He beat delayed-Brazilian GP winner Fisichella, Alonso, McNish and Pizzonia. Of the four teams taking part in the Friday tests, Renault was the only one that chose to use three cars.

Spanish GP Friday test times:

1. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'17"706 219.134 Km/h 43 laps 2. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B +0'00"285 39 laps 3. 8 ALONSO Renault M +0'00"342 37 laps 4. 34 McNISH Renault M +0'00"919 52 laps 5. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M +0'00"993 44 laps 6. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M +0'01"025 53 laps 7. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B +0'01"055 43 laps 8. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B +0'03"330 31 laps 9. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B +0'03"588 29 laps

2 May 2003 After Pizzonia, another driver's seat could be in danger. The latest pitlane rumours have it that Ralph Firman's drive at Jordan is on the line, with Eddie Irvine poised to jump into the shoes of the young rookie.

2 May 2003 Pizzonia's drive may be safe after all. Pitlane rumours say that McLaren test driver Alex Wurz has turned down Jaguar's offer to replace ANtonio Pizzonia as race driver.

1 May 2003 Jacques Villeneuve is threatening to leave Formula 1 if he cannot get a good drive next year, after his current contract with low-performing team BAR expires.

Last updated on by Federica Massagrande