JANUARY 21, 2003

Oops, Michael!

Michael Schumacher started his 2003 season with a real howler when he went off on his first lap in his Ferrari since last October.

Michael Schumacher started his 2003 season with a real howler when he went off on his first lap in his Ferrari since last October. The car went off the road and hit a tire barrier, lightly damaging the rear wing and Schumacher returned to the pits rather amused by his gaffe.

Schumacher won 11 of 17 races last year and starts this season as favorite to win again, a triumph which would be a record-breaking sixth World Championship.