Sixth title for M. Schumacher

F1 Grand Prix, GP Japan, Circuit Suzuka

Partly with the help of Barrichello, Michael Schumacher is now the all time record holder with 6 world titles in Formula One. Together with him, the Ferrari-team takes the title with the constructors for the fourth consecutive time, though being highly fought this year.

Other major contenders for Japanese victory like Montoya and Alonso suffered technical failures, while Kimi Raikkonen did not get further than a second spot, right behind winner Barrichello.

Juan Pablo Montoya, who had no chance to get the world title since a drive-through penalty in the USA prevented him from getting enough points, challenged Barrichello in the first lap and overtook him. However, his efforts were useless, as he suffered a technical problem, just like Fernando Alonso, who was at that time in 2th spot.

Ralf Schumacher on the other hand, and after 8 laps the only hope for Williams, spun 3 times in the chicane before start-finish, the last time after a contact with his brother. Both were at that time chasing Da Matta, and in an attempt of Michael to avoid a collision with the Brazilian, his brother broke his rear wing on Michael's rear tyre. It was feared he would suffer a puncture because of the incident, but the only result were a lot of vibrations as a result of a flat spot on the front tyre from the braking.

At the end, an eight place was good enough for the title, which ends 2003 with a difference of 1 point in de driver's championship.