Montoya Wins F1's German Grand Prix

By SALVATORE ZANCA Associated Press Writer

HOCKENHEIM, Germany August 3, 2003; Salvatore Zanca writing for the AP reported that Juan Pablo Montoya sped from a crash on a scorching day and won the German Grand Prix, which was all but settled in the opening seconds.

Three top contenders - Kimi Raikkonen, Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello - were gone before the first lap was completed Sunday and season leader and five-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher finished seventh.

This was Montoya's second victory in 2003 after the Monaco Grand Prix and third in his career. The Williams-BMW driver moved into second place in the season standings.

David Coulthard of McLaren-Mercedes was second, more than a minute behind. Renault's Jarno Trulli finished third.

The field was stripped of top drivers with the race just under way - Raikkonen, second in the standings; Ralf Schumacher, winner of two of the previous three races; and Barrichello, the winner of the last race.

Michael Schumacher had a flat in the left rear tire of his Ferrari while in second place with less than four laps to go.

"It happened to the others in the past," he said. "Today it was my turn."

With track temperatures nearing 122, Montoya surged ahead from the pole at the outset. Behind him, three contenders took each other out before the first curve.

Raikkonen's McLaren-Mercedes came up to the left side of Barrichello, and the Brazilian's Ferrari was squeezed in with Ralf Schumacher just ahead of him on the right side.

Stewards blamed Ralf Schumacher, saying he moved into the path of Barrichello. He will be dropped 10 grid positions at his next race. The Williams team said it would appeal.

"I think both Ralf and Kimi took big risks, especially Kimi who went very wide to get past," Barrichello said. "Ralf moved to the left and gave me nowhere to go."

Ralf Schumacher went to the pits at the end of a lap, his race finished.

"I was trying to defend my position and I didn't make any sudden move or anything," he said. "So there was all time in the world for other cars to move away from me."

Montoya ended up 65.4 seconds ahead of Coulthard during the 67 laps on the 2.84-mile Hockenheimring course, which was extensively remodeled in 2002.

Renault's Fernando Alonso was fourth. Fifth and sixth were Toyota's Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta.

With four races left, Schumacher has 71 points and Montoya 65. Raikkonen stayed at 62, his third race without a finish.

"We have come a long way since Monaco," Montoya said. "If Ralf hadn't gone off on the first corner, it might have been more difficult."

Since Monaco, Williams has won four races, been second four times and had four pole positions. The next race is the Hungarian Grand Prix on Aug. 24.

Red Cross officials said more than 200 fans were treated for heat-related problems.