Williams-BMW Teams Finishes 1-2 in European Grand Prix

Topics:  Williams-BMW, European Grand Prix

VOA Sports
June 29, 2003

German Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher led the Williams-BMW team to a 1-2 finish in the European Grand Prix in Germany on Sunday.

It was the first win for Ralf Schumacher this year and fifth of his career. He started from third on the grid and completed the 60 laps in one hour, 34 minutes and 43.622 seconds, to beat teammate Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia by 16.9 seconds. Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello of Brazil finished third, 39.6 seconds behind. The Williams team profited from the engine troubles of pole sitter Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, who was forced to withdraw in the 26th lap, and from Ralf's brother Michael getting bumped off the track by Montoya in the 43rd lap.

After his collision with Montoya, Schumacher was pushed back on the track out of the gravel by marshals and a fan. The crash was investigated by race organizers, but Montoya was ruled blameless in the incident.

Michael Schumacher now has 58 points in the overall drivers standings and increased his lead over Raikkonen to 7. Ralf Schumacher is third with 43 points.