Speaking after yesterdas qualifying session, Managing Director of Ferrars racing department, Jean Todt thanked Shell for all their hard work so far in the weekend before mentioning that there was an even higher mountain to climb on the race day. Shels contribution today was certainly noticeable. In a race dominated by fuel strategy, Michael Schumacher took his first win of the year in difficult personal circumstances and was followed home by Kimi Raikkonen and Rubens Barrichello.

Naturally, the race result is tainted with the emotion behind Michaes situation and the whole of the Shell team would like to pass our condolences to Michael and his entire family said Juan Carlos Perez, of Shell Global Solutions.

From a racing point of view, Shels products performed as expected and we gave the team exactly the technical support it needed said Mike Copson of Shell Global SolutionsFuel strategy played a crucial role in todas race and we are pleased to have been able to offer Ferrari the correct fuel to give them, not only a wide range of strategic options, but also the most successful one

The start was very eventful and as the cars shot down towards the chicane at Tamburello, Ralf Schumacher managed to pass his brother. Barrichello held his place as did Montoya behind him. The real losers at the start were Jaguar and Jordan. Mark Webber made a bad getaway, dropping him from 5th to 11th in the first lap. His team mate, Pizzonia failed to leave the grid when his launch control failed him and had to be started by the team. Over at Jordan, Ralph Firman had to start from the pit lane following a problem with his car and Brazilian race-winner Fisichella had to start the race with the spare car.

Meanwhile, at the head of the field, Schumacher Junior and his brother were leading the way. The racing was close and by Lap 8 the Schumacher brothers, Barrichello and Montoya quartet began to break away. Michael swarmed all over the back of his brother but could not find a way past.

Michael eventually took the lead on Lap 16 when his brothes Williams dived into the pits. Rubens Barrichello and Montoya stopped the following lap whilst Michael made the most of his free track and set the fastest lap of the race so far. When the race order shuffled itself out, it became clear that although the two McLares had inherited first and second spot, they were yet to stop. Behind them, Michael was ahead of his brother having passed him in the pit stops.

Michael regained his race lead when the silver cars pitted though, although some quick laps from Kimi Raikkonen saw him leave his stop just behind Barrichello. On lap 22, the race order was Michael Schumacher, Ralf Schumacher, Barrichello, Raikkonen, Montoya and Coulthard.

There then followed a period of intensely busy pit lane activity. On lap 29, Williams brought Ralf in for a pit stop, followed a lap later by Montoya. Meanwhile, whilst Ferrari prepared to welcome Barrichello and Michael Schumacher for a top up of Shell fuel, Montoya was back in the pit lane for another stop, his chances of winning wiped out. For Michael, the situation panned out much better. Having built up a good lead during his time alone at the front, he exited the pit lane ahead of Raikkonen and still therefore in the lead.

With ten laps remaining, Rubens Barrichello, in fourth made the move of the race. Ralf Schumacher made a mistake coming into the first part of the Rivazza corner. Barrichello pounced, jinking left and then right behind the Williams. As Ralf moved to cover the Ferrars advances, Barrichello pulled right as they exited the Variante Bassa and pulled clear to the cheers of the grandstands.

And so it was to finish. Michael Schumacher won his first race of the year, with Kimi Raikkonen in second. Barrichello finished third right behind Raikkonen with Ralf Schumacher fourth. Fifth was Coulthard with Alonso, Montoya and Button rounding out the points.

The Ferrari team is hoping to bring the new F2003-GA car to the next race in Barcelona. If the car does make its debut in two weeks time, Imola will be a fitting farewell to the F2002. Michael Schumacher drove another consummate race putting emotion behind him to show exceptional strength. He had the support of the entire Ferrari team here in Imola, and had the option not to race, but as Jean Todt said today Michael has shown the dimensions of what he is as a driver and as a man