Juan Pablo Montoya won his first Monaco Grand Prix. From third on the grid he beat McLares Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrars Michael Schumacher to the top spot. Michaes Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello also finished in the points in eighth spot.
Schumacher recovered from fifth place on the grid to gain two places, a remarkable feat at a track where overtaking is nearly impossible. Schumacher managed to do this through a combination of good driving and excellent back up from his Ferrari team.
Monaco is such unique event and although we didt win today, we are very pleased with the result said Mike Copson of Shell Global SolutionsThe two Ferrari cars were the last to pit in each of the stints, yet they still held the race pace very competitively. This means that the F2003-GA is very fast, even with a heavy fuel load, but also that our fuel is performing very efficiently
As the capacity crowd basked in the heat of the Cote Azur, all eyes were on St.Devote, the first corner, a traditional bottleneck for the cars. The start passed off without incident however as all the drivers filtered through without any damage. The first victim of the circuis barriers was not far away however as Heinz Harald Frentzen lost his Sauber into the wall at the swimming pool. The safety car was deployed and with Jenson Button not racing owing to his accident on Saturday, the field was down to 18 cars when the race got underway again on lap six.
Some of the teams began bringing their cars in as early as Lap 14 but it was not until Lap 20 that the leaders began to stop. At this stage, Ralf Schumacher had led from pole. Montoya had jumped Raikkonen for second and Trulli, Michael Schumacher, Alonso, Coulthard and Barrichello followed in that order.
By the time Trulli pitted on lap 26, the Ferraris were finding their stride. Barrichello had been suffering with cars ahead of him but Michael, with a clear track in his visor, put in some quick laps. Barrichello was the first of the two in and leapt up into fifth place when he came out of the pit lane. Schumacher managed an even better result, moving up to third thanks to slick pit work and some very hot in-laps.
Cars held positions for the next set of laps, none being able to overtake in the tight steel alley that forms the circuit. The next time that the cars had to come in, again the Ferrars were the last to pit, getting the maximum mileage from their Shell fuel.
Ralf Schumacher lost time after his second stop when he locked his wheels coming into the Rascasse and slid up to the barrier. He did not touch the rail, but had done enough to lose plenty of time and any chance of a podium finish.
Up ahead, Montoya was leading Raikkonen who in turn was being rapidly caught by Michael Schumacher. The Finn pushed the Columbian hard although without success and Montoya kept his cool to win his second ever race.
Ralf Schumacher recovered from his incident to finish fourth with Alonso, Trulli, Coulthard and Barrichello finishing the points positions.
Teams pack up from here and now have the first long haul trip since Brazil back in March as Montreal is the next destination for Formula One. The Canadian track, where fuel consumption is key, will be a dramatic change from the South of France as it is one of the fastest of the year.
Williams have won their first race this year and Raikkonen is leading Schumacher in the Driver Championship by four points. McLaren have regained the lead of the Constructor Championship here and there is everything to play for as Formula One goes to a track where Ferrari is traditionally very strong. However, the real winner here is the sport - Montoya is the fifth man to win in seven races injecting even more spark into an already electric title race.
