Malaysian Grand Prix 2003 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Kimi Räikkönen claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory with a masterful performance at Sepang, holding off Rubens Barrichello's charging Ferrari to secure McLaren's second consecutive win. The 23-year-old Finn controlled the Malaysian heat with ice-cool precision, managing his tires perfectly while resisting intense pressure from Barrichello in the closing laps. Räikkönen's breakthrough victory - achieved in just his 27th Grand Prix start - announced his arrival as championship material and established him as the driver to watch in 2003.

Fernando Alonso claimed a brilliant third place for Renault, the 21-year-old Spaniard converting his maiden pole position into a podium finish that demonstrated the French team's resurgence. Despite losing the lead at the start, Alonso drove maturely to fend off Michael Schumacher's Ferrari and secure Renault's first podium since their return as a works team. Schumacher could only manage fifth after a difficult race, his championship deficit growing to eighteen points after just two rounds - an unprecedented situation for the reigning champion.

The Malaysian result confirmed that 2003 would deliver genuine championship competition across multiple teams and drivers. McLaren had won both opening races, while Ferrari, Williams, and Renault all showed podium pace, and eight different drivers scored points again. The season's unpredictability thrilled fans worldwide after 2002's monotony, with Räikkönen emerging as McLaren's championship leader and Ferrari suddenly facing their strongest challenges in years. The title fight appeared wide open.