2003 Japanese Grand Prix

The 2003 Japanese Grand Prix (officially known as the 2003 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race that took place on 12 October 2003 at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Mie, Japan. It was the sixteenth and final round of the 2003 Formula One World Championship. Rubens Barrichello took pole position for the race in the Ferrari and went on to take the race win, ahead of the McLarens of Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard.

Michael Schumacher finished in eighth place, enough to secure his record-breaking sixth World Drivers' Championship, surpassing the record set by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957. This was also Schumacher's fourth consecutive title, matching the record set by Fangio in 1957. Barrichello's win saw Ferrari clinch their thirteenth Constructors' Championship, the team's fifth title in a row.

This event also notably marked the last race for cars using launch control and fully-automatic gearboxes, since their reintroduction at the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix. The FIA banned these two electronic driver aid systems ahead of the 2004 season. This was also the final Grand Prix for 3-time race winner Heinz-Harald Frentzen and 2-time podium finisher Jos Verstappen. As of 2025, this is the last occasion where the Japanese Grand Prix in general and the Suzuka Circuit hosted the final race of a Formula One World Championship season.

The event was held at the Suzuka International Racing Course in Suzuka, Mie for the 17th time in the circuit's history, across the weekend of 10-12 October. The Grand Prix was the sixteenth and final round of the 2003 Formula One World Championship and the 19th running of the Japanese Grand Prix as part of the Formula One World Championship.

Heading into the final race of the season, Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher was leading the Drivers' Championship with 92 points, 9 points ahead of McLaren driver Kimi Räikkönen and 10 ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya. A maximum of 10 points were available, which meant that Räikkönen could still win the title. Schumacher only needed an eighth-place finish to secure the championship, seeing as he held the tiebreaker on wins over Räikkönen, 6 to 1. Räikkönen needed to win and for Schumacher not to score a single point, in order for him to become champion. Montoya could still finish equal on points with Schumacher, but was out of contention for the title due to the tiebreaker on wins (6 to 2).

Jacques Villeneuve pulled out of the Grand Prix after asking to be released by the BAR team. He was replaced by the team's test driver Takuma Sato. Sato had already been confirmed as their driver for the 2004 season in the days running up to the race, along with Jenson Button staying at the team.

Three free practice sessions were held for the event. Renault driver Jarno Trulli set the fastest time in the first session, ahead of Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard, in second and third places respectively. The second session was topped by Ralf Schumacher in the BMW Williams, ahead of his brother Michael and Rubens Barrichello. Ralf also led the third practice session, this time ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya and then Michael.

Three teams in the 2003 Constructors' Championship had the right to run a third car on Friday's additional testing. These drivers did not compete in qualifying or the race.