With the young guns of Formula One showing promise in 2003, the pressure was always going to be on Michael Schumacher to retain his title. Jenson Button demonstrated that, given the right machinery, he could pull out results, scoring six podium finishes in the first eight Grand Prix. Once again Schumacher and his Ferrari team were quickest out of the blocks, taking the first five Grand Prix. After retiring in Monaco, Schumacher got back on track and set a blistering new record of seven victories in succession and a new record number of victories in a season. And by Belgium, had secured the title!