.jpg) Michael Schumacher driving the F2003-GA at the2003 British Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Scuderia Ferrari | ||||||||||
| Designers | Ross Brawn(Technical Director) Rory Byrne(Chief Designer) Ignazio Lunetta(Head of R&D) Aldo Costa(Head of Chassis Design) Marco Fainello(Head of Vehicle Dynamics) Roberto Dalla(Head of Electronics) Nikolas Tombazis(Head of Aerodynamics) James Allison(Chief Aerodynamicist) Paolo Martinelli(Engine Technical Director) Gilles Simon(Engine Chief Designer) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | F2002B | ||||||||||
| Successor | F2004 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Moulded carbon fibre &Honeycomb composite structure | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Independent suspension, pushrod activated torsion springs | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Independent suspension, pushrod activated torsion springs | ||||||||||
| Length | 4,545 mm (179 in) | ||||||||||
| Width | 1,796 mm (71 in) | ||||||||||
| Height | 959 mm (38 in) | ||||||||||
| Engine | FerrariTipo 052 , 3.0 L (3,000 cc; 183 cu in) ,V10 (90°) ,Naturally Aspirated , in amid-mounted, rear-wheel-drive layout | ||||||||||
| Transmission | 7-speedSemi-automaticSequentialLimited-slip Differential Gearbox + reverse | ||||||||||
| Power | 845 horsepower (630 kW) @ 18,300rpm (race trim)[1][2] 920–930 horsepower (690–690 kW) @ 18,600-19,000 rpm[3][4] | ||||||||||
| Weight | 600 kg (1,323 lb) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Shell Fuel | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Shell Lubricant | ||||||||||
| Brakes | Carbon brake discs,pads andcalipers | ||||||||||
| Tyres | BridgestoneBBS Racing Wheels : 13" | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Scuderia FerrariMarlboro | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 1. Michael Schumacher2.  Rubens Barrichello | ||||||||||
| Debut | 2003 Spanish Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| First win | 2003 Spanish Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last win | 2003 Japanese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2003 Japanese Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 1 (2003) | ||||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 1 (2003,Michael Schumacher) | ||||||||||
TheFerrari F2003-GA was a highly successful car used byScuderia Ferrari in the2003 Formula One World Championship. The chassis was designed byRory Byrne,Ignazio Lunetta,Aldo Costa,Marco Fainello,Nikolas Tombazis andJames Allison withRoss Brawn playing a vital role in leading the production of the car as the team's Technical Director andPaolo Martinelli assisted byGilles Simon leading the engine design and operations.[5] Its development was based on the previousFerrari F2002, but featured new bulbous sidepods and a lengthened wheelbase to aid aerodynamics. The engine and gearbox were developed versions of the previous model.
The car was designated "GA" as a mark of respect toGianni Agnelli, the recently deceased head ofFiat.[6][7]
The car was introduced just before mid season in 2003, as the F2002 was seen as good enough to be competitive whilst the F2003-GA was developed further. The car was fast and competitive as it won 3 out its first 4 races, but had a tendency to overuse its tyres, which led to several late race tyre problems in mid seasons, causing a slight drop in form during theunusually hot European summer. As a result,Williams andMcLaren were able to mount a consistent challenge to Ferrari and pushMichael Schumacher for the championship.[8]
AfterBridgestone engineers discoveredMichelin were using tyres which changed construction, causing the French tyre maker to provide remoulded tyres late in the season.[9] Ferrari became competitive again as it won the final 3 races of the season, and were able to hold off both Williams and McLaren for the Constructors' Championship, whilst Schumacher snatched his sixth Drivers' title, breakingJuan Manuel Fangio's record which had stood for 46 years.[10]
The car won seven races, five pole positions, and five fastest laps before being replaced with the dominantF2004 in 2004, a car which was almost identical to its predecessor.
Ferrari used 'Marlboro' logos, except at the French, British and United States Grands Prix.
Vodafone continued to sponsor the team for second year with a new sponsorship fromOlympus.
On 11 December 2003, after the season had finished, Michael Schumacher raced the car against aEurofighter Typhoon of theItalian Air Force over several measured distances to determine which was faster, the aircraft or the car. Schumacher won the first run, over the distance of 600 metres, thanks to the weight advantage of his car over the jet, but the Typhoon won the two remaining runs over the longer distances of 900 and 1200 metres, winning the overall race.[10]
In November 2022, chassis number 229, which Schumacher used to win 5 Grands Prix during the 2003 season, was sold at auction byRM Sotheby's duringSotheby’s Luxury Week inGeneva,Switzerland. The car, complete with engine and in full running condition, sold for a world record price of CHF14,630,000 (US$14,873,327).[11]
(key) (results inbold indicate pole position, results initalics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Scuderia FerrariMarlboro | 052 3.0V10 | B | AUS | MAL | BRA | SMR | ESP | AUT | MON | CAN | EUR | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | ITA | USA | JPN | 158* | 1st | |
| Michael Schumacher | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||
| Rubens Barrichello | 3 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 | Ret | Ret | 3 | Ret | 1 |
* 32 points scored with theF2002B
