Following the dismal Ferrari showing at the Hungarian Grand Prix the fact that this time around it was going to be on their home patch turned the heat of expectation up even more. Michael Schumacher was hanging on to the slenderest possible lead in the Championship and had not stood on the podium for the last five Grand Prix, and Pablo Montoya in particular had had a tremendous run of results. The Renaults and McLarens were also buzzing around, making a championship for the red ones look more and more difficult.

Qualifying brought the first signs of a Ferrari fight back. Running third from last Michael took half a second off Kimi Raikkonen's provisional pole time to go to the top of the sheets. Rubens Barrichello then ran and put himself into second spot; then it was Montoya's turn and he was quickest in the first sector, quickest in the second but fell back in the third to slot into second place between the two Ferraris.

Unfortunately for the Williams' team they were not able to rely upon their second star, Ralf Schumacher, who had to withdraw still suffering from the after-effects of his testing accident. Williams tester Marc Gene as substitute did a fantastic job to put his car, which he had only taken over that morning, into fifth on the grid. Alonso, the supreme winner in Budapest just three weeks ago, would start from the back, having spun on his qualifying lap.

The race was exciting throughout, with Michael running absolutely flat out at the front, chased hard by Montoya. During their first stint of a two-stop race Schuey eked out a small advantage of three seconds but after their pit stops on laps 15 and 16 respectively the Williams' driver closed right up again.

The second round of stops took place on lap 32 (Montoya) and 34 (Schumacher) but in the final stint the Ferrari was able to break Montoya's pace. The latter became slightly trapped behind Frentzen's Sauber during a lapping manoeuvre and seemed to then give up the chase and settle for second place.

Whilst all this was going on the second Ferrari of Barrichello ran consistently in third place whilst behind him Raikkonen, Coulthard and Gene squabbled over the next places. Raikkonen finished in fourth place, earning himself a valuable five Championship points, making a total of 75, and keeping him well in touch with Schumacher (82) and Montoya (79).

Now we have just two more events to go with a total of 20 points up for grabs. It is going to be purely between Schumacher, Montoya and Raikkonen but the call will be too close to make.

Somehow it seems to be between the Ferrari and Williams drivers. When it goes to Indianapolis and Suzuka the pressure is really on and the one who can cope with it the best will become a very worthy 2003 World Champion.

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Todt called upon all help for this race

Arnie wonders who the little one is

Gene did a terrific job as Ralf substitute

Pablo watches the qualifying unfold

At the start Alonso's Renault goes flying

Schuey made the most of pole position

This time, side by side, they left each other room

Rubens did a good back up job

Montoya chased as hard as he knew how

At the end, Schuey is in acute danger of getting kissed

pics by Schlegelmilch, Sutton & Ferrari