Australian Grand Prix 2003 - Race Schedule and Countdown

David Coulthard delivered a stunning upset victory at the Australian Grand Prix, breaking Ferrari's stranglehold from 2002 with a brilliant drive that signaled the season would be fiercely competitive. The McLaren driver capitalized on Michael Schumacher's first-lap incident with his brother Ralf to inherit the lead, then controlled the race with mature precision despite intense pressure from Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya. The victory marked McLaren's first season-opening win since 1998 and provided the perfect riposte to Ferrari's previous year of dominance.

Kimi Räikkönen completed an excellent McLaren one-two finish, the young Finn delivering another polished performance that announced his arrival as a genuine championship contender. Montoya pushed both silver cars hard but couldn't find a way past on Albert Park's tight street circuit, forced to settle for third despite the Williams-BMW's superior straight-line speed. The Schumacher brothers both recovered from their first-lap contact to finish in the points, though the incident cost Michael crucial points in what would become the closest title fight in years.

The Australian result transformed the championship landscape overnight. After Ferrari's processional 2002 campaign, three different teams stood on the podium and eight different drivers scored points, proving the new regulations had successfully restored competitive balance. Coulthard's victory suggested McLaren's MP4-17D development program had paid dividends, while Ferrari's vulnerability - particularly Schumacher's uncharacteristic error - indicated the championship would be hard-fought. The stage was set for one of the most unpredictable and exciting seasons in modern F1 history.