12.10.2003 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER OVERCOMES DRAMAS TO CLINCH AS RECORD BREAKING SIXTH WORLD TITLE IN JAPAN

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro and Michael Schumacher are world champions again: the team for the thirteenth time and the driver for the sixth. But they were made to fight hard for it all the way by opposition which was very strong, just as it has been all season.

In order for Michael to be champion, he had to pick up the point available for eighth place if Kimi Raikkonen won. In the end, both options were covered as the German did battle through to eighth place and a brilliant drive from pole position for Rubens Barrichello saw him take victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, relegating Raikkonen to second place. The Brazilian’s faultless performance also ensured that the Scuderia finished 14 points ahead of BMW-Williams in the Constructors’ classification.

The early stages were nerve wracking for Ferrari: Rubens was passed by Montoya on the opening lap as the Brazilian was having trouble controlling the F2003-GA on a track still greasy from very light drizzle which had fallen before the race. By lap 6, Rubens had picked up the pace and was closing on the Colombian. It was at this point that Michael, moving up the order from 14th on the grid, ran into the back of Sato’s BAR, forcing him to come in for a new nose section. The team opted for a recovery strategy, refuelling him early and he rejoined 20th and last.

Rubens was back in the lead on lap 9, when Montoya retired, the Brazilian making his first pit stop on lap 12. Four laps later, he had Alonso behind him followed by Coulthard and Raikkonen. Michael was now back up to 14th, going 13th when he passed Heidfeld on lap 17. When Alonso had an engine failure, Barrichello had the two McLarens behind him, the Brazilian and Coulthard both making pit stops on lap 26, with Rubens still coming out in the lead. On lap 30, Michael passed Panis to go 11th. By lap 37, he was up to sixth, but dropped to tenth after his third and final pit stop.

Coulthard led briefly when Barrichello made his final pit stop on lap 40, at which point Michael was up to eighth with that valuable point in sight. One lap later there was more drama for the German as he was involved in a three way battle with Da Matta ahead of him and his brother Ralf pushing him hard from behind. As the trio approached the chicane, the Toyota driver appeared to brake slightly early. Michael was forced to take avoiding action and the Williams’ front wing clipped the Ferrari’s left rear tyre. Ralf had to copy his brother’s earlier move, coming in for a new nose, while Michael had to cope with the worry of a possible puncture and the fact he had flat spotted his tyres very badly, causing vibration problems.

From then on, both Ferraristi brought their cars home, almost a minute apart, with Rubens slowing to a crawl as he passed the pit wall as the entire team cheered him and Michael after what was an historic victory.

Rubens Barrichello was joined on the podium by the two McLaren-Mercedes men: Raikkonen second and Coulthard third.