British Grand Prix 2003 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Rubens Barrichello produced a brilliant wet-weather performance to win the British Grand Prix, holding off Juan Pablo Montoya's charging Williams in treacherous conditions at Silverstone. The Brazilian dominated from pole position, managing the changing weather perfectly while demonstrating the racecraft that made him one of F1's most underrated drivers. The race was red-flagged on the first lap after a massive accident involving several cars, but Barrichello controlled the restart and never looked back despite intense pressure from Montoya.

Montoya claimed an excellent second place for Williams-BMW, the Colombian driving aggressively in the wet to keep Barrichello honest throughout. Kimi Räikkönen salvaged a crucial third place for McLaren after a difficult weekend, the Finn's podium finish keeping him in championship contention as Michael Schumacher could only manage fourth. The German's disappointing result allowed Räikkönen to close within one point of the championship lead, setting up a dramatic second half of the season.

Barrichello's Silverstone triumph was his first victory of 2003 and demonstrated his capability when given equal equipment and strategy. The British crowd witnessed a thriller in changeable conditions, with the safety car and red flag adding to the drama. The championship battle remained fascinatingly close with just a handful of points separating the top four drivers. Ferrari's one-four finish wasn't enough to extend their advantage, while Williams and McLaren both left Britain believing they could still win the title.