Rubens Barrichello won the 2003 British Grand Prix at Silverstone after a race disrupted by a track invader running against traffic on Hangar Straight.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari)
- Laps
- 60
- Season round
- 11th round of 2003 F1 season
- Track invader speed
- Cars travelling at 170 mph (280 km/h)
- Second place
- Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams)
- Third place
- Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Jarno Trulli led the opening eleven laps from the front row alongside pole-sitter Barrichello, setting up a competitive early phase of the race at Silverstone on 20 July 2003.
A man later identified as a defrocked priest invaded the track on Hangar Straight, running in the opposite direction to cars travelling at around 170 mph while wearing a saffron kilt and carrying religious banners, forcing the deployment of the safety car.
The safety car period caused most drivers to pit, allowing Toyota drivers Cristiano da Matta and Olivier Panis, who stayed out, to briefly lead. Räikkönen took the lead on lap 30 when da Matta pitted, but Barrichello ultimately took the victory.