The Best Race of the Season
British Grand Prix, July 20, 2003

By Erik Nielsen

Pictures copyright and courtesy Ferrari Media

If one could sum up this weekend's race at Silverstone, it would be easy: WOW!!! The race was so un-Formula 1 like. There was passing, lead changes, a Toyota at the front, and no one managed to really shunt another driver. For a second there, I thought I was watching Le Mans, but seeing a Ferrari win, I knew it was still F1.

Rubens managed to hang on and let the race come to him after putting his 2003 Ferrari on pole. In doing so, he helped silence the critics who claim that he is nothing more than #2 on the team. The Brazilian's finish helped Ferrari keep its lead over the late charging BMW-Williams team and extend their lead to 10 points with his 6th career win. "This is a fantastic feeling. I came in for a lot of criticism after Canada and France and I feel this performance answers my critics. The race was hard work but entertaining. I had a great car today, the result of all the work we have done and the Bridgestones were phenomenal."

The win also kept the usual critics quiet about the performance of the Bridgestone tires which seem to be catching up the Michelins that are very good in the dry. His team mate was quicker in the first sector during his qualifying lap, but after running wide at Abby, Michael qualified in 5th. Even with the antics that happened during the race, he could do no better than 4th, which decreased his lead over Kimi by only one point.

Okay, the antics. Mercedes-Benz has been having quality control issues with the upcoming SLR project that they are co-developing with McLaren. Seems some of the design teams are working on both cars, as the first safety car had to come out when DC's driver's surround came loose and left debris on the track. The Scot had to make his trip to the pit for repairs. You'd think that a 25 pence fastener would work. This happening early in the race didn't cause a massive shuffle. What happened next did.

Fifty-six year old Neil Horan managed to get by the fences (and security) and run down hangar straight holding a sign that said "The bible is never wrong." I live under the shadow of the buckle in the Bible Belt, and even this was a new one for me. I think it was the kilt. Not only did this throw a wrench in the works by bringing out the safety car, it also happened right on the early side of the first pit stop window for a 2 stop strategy. Pit lane looked like the 405 Freeway at rush hour. Rubens came out in 8th and Schumacher in 15th, with Toyota running one-two. What the hell is going on here?

Then the race turned interesting. Rubens started picking off back markers left and right. When he came up behind Kimi, nobody expected him to be able to get by, but he did it with the ease of Montoya passing a Minardi.

Passes were happening left and right, not only the slower cars on the straights, but passes in the turns with drivers that are challenging for the title.

Juan Pablo managed to also get past Kimi and finish second, placing BMW-Williams well into the number two spot in the constructor's championship. Will they have enough time with only five races left?

As for everyone else, they were also-rans. Villeneuve was classified as a finisher, but a closer look at the tape will show him going out on the last lap. No additional comment is needed.

On a side note, the silly season is well in force with rumors everywhere. As for facts, Pizzonia has been sidelined, with Jenson Button taking his place at Jaguar.

Now if only all the racing could be this good. F1 is once again more interesting than NASCAR, let's hope it lasts.

Championship and Constructor's points are now listed below Race Results