On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2003, Formula 1 returned to Imola for the San Marino Grand Prix—round 4 of the season. Michael Schumacher claimed his first win of the year for Ferrari, leading a 1–3 finish for the Scuderia with teammate Rubens Barrichello in third. Kimi Räikkönen finished second, strengthening his early championship lead for McLaren.
The race carried deep emotion: both Michael and his brother Ralf Schumacher competed just hours after the passing of their mother, Elisabeth. Ralf made a lightning start to lead early, but strategy swung the race back to Michael during the pit stops.
Behind them, points went to Ralf (4th), Coulthard, Alonso, Montoya, and Button. Ferrari’s win cut into McLaren’s lead in the Constructors’ race, and Michael climbed to third in the Drivers’ standings.
A poignant and powerful win in front of the Tifosi—Imola 2003 was more than just a race.
