HistoryData
general2003

2003 Italian Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 2003

September 14, 2003

This race held the record as the fastest Formula One race in history for 22 years, with an average speed of 247.585 km/h.

Quick Facts

Year
2003
Category
general

Key Facts

Race date
14 September 2003
Championship round
14th round of 2003 F1 World Championship
Average race speed
247.585 km/h
Race winner
Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2nd place
Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams)
Speed record stood for
22 years, until 2025 Italian Grand Prix

By the Numbers

14
Race date
14
Championship round
247.585km/h
Average race speed
22
Speed record stood for

Location

Map of Monza, ItalyMap of Monza, ItalyMonza, Italy

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The 2003 Formula One World Championship's fourteenth round was scheduled at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, a circuit historically associated with high average speeds due to its long straights and minimal slow corners, creating conditions for record-setting pace.

Event

On 14 September 2003, Michael Schumacher started from pole position in his Ferrari and won the race, with Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams) finishing second and Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) third. The race was completed at an average speed of 247.585 km/h (153.842 mph).

Consequence

The race's average speed of 247.585 km/h became the fastest ever recorded in a Formula One race, a record that stood for 22 years until it was surpassed at the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, also held at Monza.

Result

Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
vs
Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams)

at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza, Italy

Fastest-ever F1 race at 247.585 km/h (153.842 mph), held for 22 years

Timeline Context

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