Mick Schumacher tested his Ferrari F2003-GA driven by his father Michael Schumacher as he claimed his sixth F1 Championship title.
In 2003, Michael Schumacher claimed his sixth world crown with Ferrari. This was his fourth consecutive title win since the Ferrari-Schumacher duo began to dominate the sport in 2000.
But the 2003 season remains Schumi’s most closely fought campaign during his time with Ferrari. Schumacher had won the 2002 season by a margin of 67 points and with 6 races to go.
This caused the FIA to change the regulations to make the races closer. Instead of awarding points only to the top 6, the top 8 finishers received points.
This made the chase to win the title more chaotic. Schumi won the title in the final race of the season in Japan, beating McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen by just 2 points.
Ferrari also had stiff competition from Williams and McLaren. But 6 wins by Michael and 2 claimed by Rubens Barrichello propelled them to win the constructors’ title for the 13th time in F1 history.
#In this day in 2003 history was made ?
The mighty Michael Schumacher became the first #F1 driver to achieve SIX world championships ?
And he did it in unforgettable fashion at a wild Japanese Grand Prix, the final race of the 2003 season! #F1 @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/HkTwGOLyMa
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 12, 2021
A special season like this calls for a special car. And Ferrari introduced the F2003-GA which proved its worth despite a rocky start to the season.
The GA was added to the car’s name as a tribute to Gianni Agnelli, director of Fiat, owner of Ferrari. Agnelli died shortly before the car’s debut in Monaco.
Also read: Michael Schumacher, once hit by a Ferrari engine problem, had to miss his eighth championship
Learn more about Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2003-GA
Ferrari debuted the F2003-GA at the 2003 Spanish GP. And in the first race, Michael Schumacher put the car on pole position. His teammate Rubens Barrichello completed the front row blockade by qualifying P2.
Schumacher would win the race ahead of a young Fernando Alonso. But Schumacher would claim a pole and win at the following race in Austria. He would go on to win victories in Canada, Indianapolis and Italy and two P3s in Monaco and France with the car.
Mick Schumacher had the opportunity to drive his father’s Ferrari F2003-GA, the car with which he won his sixth world championship ❤️
(via @Sothebys) pic.twitter.com/4zEBz2D3YD
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) October 6, 2022
Six F2003-GAs were built during the year. Of which Chassis 229 is by far the most successful. Schumacher raced in nine races and scored five wins in the car. And now you can buy the most successful F1 car that was once driven by the most successful drivers in F1.
Also read: More than 300 unique Michael Schumacher models go on sale
Michael Schumacher’s car for sale
Michael Schumacher’s F2003-GA will be auctioned off during the Sotheby’s Luxury Week sale on November 9, 2022. Bids will be taken as a single lot bid and are expected to fetch more than $9.5 million.
After a recent overhaul in 2022, chassis 229 has been awarded “Red Book” certification by Ferrari Classiche. Its legendary 3-liter V-10 engine has been used for only 148 miles since then. It still contains all the original parts made specifically for the race car.
Michael’s son Mick tested the car at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit. The Haas driver was impressed by the car’s handling, calling it a “pleasure to drive”.
He adds: “This is the era when the cars sounded better, they drove better and the fights and rivalries were just exceptional. I would have loved to race in this era.”
So if you want the most successful cars in F1 racing history and have 9.5 million to spare, we encourage you to submit your bids soon!
Also read: “Mick Schumacher is an option for us”: Williams boss Jost Capito expresses interest in German for 2023