Montoya Wins German Grand Prix in Hockenheim

Topics:  German Grand Prix

VOA Sports
August 3, 2003

Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya captured the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim Sunday, speeding away after a crash in the opening seconds took out three top contenders.

Montoya completed the 67-lap race in just under one hour, 28 minutes and 49 seconds for his third career Formula One victory. It was his second win of 2003, after taking the checkered flag at the Monaco Grand Prix on June 1. The Williams-BMW driver moved to second place in the season standings.

David Coulthard of Britain was second Sunday in his McLaren-Mercedes, more than 65 seconds back, while Italian driver Jarno Trulli was third in his Renault.

Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, Germany's Ralf Schumacher and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello were knocked out of the race in a crash that began when Schumacher bumped Barrichello's Ferrari into Raikkonen's car. Race stewards blamed Schumacher for the crash and ruled he will be dropped 10 places in the starting grid from the position he qualifies for in his next Formula One race. The Williams team said it would appeal against the ruling.

With less than four laps to go, season leader and five-time world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany had a flat in his Ferrari while in second place, and ended up seventh. Schumacher has 71 points and Montoya has 65 with four races to go. Raikkonen held steady at 62 points after his third race without a finish.