Giancarlo Fisichella turns 52: a look back at his improbable first F1 victory at the 2003 Brazilian GP

Giancarlo Fisichella turns 52 on January 14: an opportunity to look back on his very first victory in Formula 1 at the end of a completely crazy 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, where the Brazilian circuit of Interlagos produced some of the most legendary races in history.

Published 14/01/2025 à 14:00

Dorian Grangier

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Giancarlo Fisichella turns 52: a look back at his improbable first F1 victory at the 2003 Brazilian GP

© DPPI

Chaos is an understatement for the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix. In changing conditions, the race quickly turned into a festival of accidents of all kinds. The 700th Grand Prix in history will remain as one of the most tormented in Formula 1. Nearly three hours before the start of the race, a violent storm hit Interlagos. The precipitation is so heavy that it floods the press room. The traditional pilots' parade is even canceled, but the race is maintained.

The accident of Mark Webber then Fernando Alonso brought the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix to a premature end amid chaos © DPPI

Rubens Barrichello started from pole and kept the lead after the first laps under Safety Car. Like Senna 12 years earlier, the Brazilian absolutely wants to win at home... but he won't have the same luck as his compatriot. There Ferrari stops suddenly when running out of fuel! The start of a race with twists and turns... Later in the race, several cars will crash into the wall at Curva do Sol, after Senna's S. Pizzonia then Montoya lost control and hit the wall outside turn 3. While a crane came to free the two cars, Schumacher comes out in the same place and almost hits her! Jenson Button will experience the same mishap in the same place a few laps later.

The cars of Pizzonia, Montoya and Schumacher will end up in the same wall… © DPPI

But it is the outcome of the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix which is the most confusing. Webber lost control of his Jaguar on the climb towards the start-finish straight and violently hit the wall of tires on the outside, scattering debris across the entire width of the track. Fernando Alonso fails to avoid a tire and creates another accident. The track is impassable, red flag and end of the race. Kimi Räikkönen was then declared the winner... although it was Giancarlo Fisichella who was in the lead, after having overtaken the McLaren a ride ago!

In total confusion, the Finn is on the top step of the podium, ahead of a disillusioned Fisichella and an absent Alonso with an injured ankle. Justice will be served a few days later after a review by the FIA, with Fisichella rehabilitated following a mini-ceremony the following weekend at Imola.

McLaren and Räikkönen return first place trophy to Jordan and Fisichella at Imola © DPPI

ALSO READ > The 5 most notable Brazilian Grands Prix at Interlagos

Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

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Yves-Henri RANDIER

15/01/2025 at 01:53 a.m.

Fisico, elected "Driver of Drivers" by his peers at the end of 2003 but no top team offered him a steering wheel and he found refuge at Sauber for 2004! An Italian driver who went to Ferrari in 2009 at the end of his F1 career to replace his compatriot Badoer when Ferrari was not really in the spotlight

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