Michael Schumacher claimed a record sixth World Drivers' Championship in 2003, surpassing Juan Manuel Fangio's 46-year-old record in a closely contested season.
Key Facts
- Championship season number
- 57th FIA Formula One season
- Number of races
- 16 races
- Season dates
- 9 March – 12 October 2003
- Drivers' Champion
- Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
- Constructors' Champion
- Scuderia Ferrari
- New points system
- Top 8 scored on 10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 basis
By the Numbers
Cause → Event → Consequence
Defending champions Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari entered the 2003 season under a revised points system awarding points to the top eight finishers, replacing the previous top-six structure. Strong challengers Kimi Räikkönen of McLaren and Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams made the championship closely competitive throughout the season.
The 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship ran over sixteen races from 9 March to 12 October. Schumacher and Ferrari successfully defended both the Drivers' and Constructors' titles despite intense pressure from Räikkönen and Montoya, with the outcome remaining uncertain deep into the calendar.
Schumacher's sixth Drivers' title broke Juan Manuel Fangio's record that had stood for 46 years. The new 10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 points system, introduced this season, remained in use through the end of 2009 before another major revision was adopted for 2010.