Fans of Schumacher, Coulthard can get their engines started. The 2003 Formula One season begins with the Foster’s Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne on Star Sports on 9 March. The channel will have live coverage at 8:15 am. The live action each weekend continues till the last race at Suzuka in Japan on 12 October 2003.

In the three months since the last season ended triumphantly for Ferrari and Michael Schumacher, the governing body, FIA (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile) have initiated several major changes, which will come into play this weekend at the first race.

This year, the qualifiers will now take place over two days, unlike previously, with each driver allocated one flying lap in an hour-long session on every Friday and Saturday before the race. Cars will also not be on the same fuel loads, since refuelling has been banned between the Saturday qualifying session and the start of the race on Sunday. This could lead to interesting tactical decisions for the participating teams.

A host of new technical restrictions have also been introduced this year. Teams will be unable to tweak their respective cars' settings using the sophisticated two-way telemetry systems, which were used earlier. Teams will also be limited in what they can do to the vehicles from the end of qualifying to the morning of the race, with cars effectively impounded until 0800 local time on race day. The race must be started with the same wheels and tyres as were used in qualifying. And, the spare car can only be used if a car fails before the race or is damaged in the first two laps by an accident that forces a restart.

MD ESPN Software India Manu Sawhney said, “The live Formula One coverage is part of ESPN Star Sports’ commitment to bring the world’s top sporting events to the millions of television viewers across India. The Formula One coverage with its world class production, expert commentary and incisive analysis has gone a long way in making the sport hugely popular with the Indian audiences today. ESPN Star Sports support programming such as Race Day and Chequered Flag especially, have helped enhance the viewers Formula One experience.”

Besides the main race Star Sports’ coverage also includes the action of the two-day qualifying races. And 45 minutes before the main race, ESS presenter, Richard Drew will host Race Day, the preview show, with all the exclusive interviews, race preview together with track and weather update. the post-race show Chequered Flag will feature post-race interviews and highlights. There will also be a preview of the next race.

Foster’s Australian Grand Prix schedule

The 2003 F-1 Schedule