WATCH: Extended highlights of the 2003 Australian Grand Prix

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Four different leaders, a bad day for Ferrari, home hero heartache, and an unlikely winner – the 2003 Australian Grand Prix was a classic.

Nineteen years ago, Melbourne ushered in something of a new era of F1 with a host of rule changes, including mandatory HANS devices to protect the drivers and one-lap qualifying.

READ MORE: Vettel’s return and a reworked track – 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the Australian GP

On March 9, 2003, a damp Albert Park welcomed 20 drivers, including Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button, Juan Pablo Montoya, Rubens Barrichello and pole-sitter and reigning champion Michael Schumacher.

Tyre choices, fuel loads and plenty of spins and crashes would all play their part on a day that would prove far from straightforward for the previously dominant Ferrari team – while there’d be a collective groan from the home crowd as suspension failure put paid to home hero Mark Webber’s challenge in the Jaguar.

Ahead of the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, watch how the 2003 season kicked off Down Under in the video player above.

Tap here for more information on F1 TV, where the full race is available to watch – along with over 700 classic Grands Prix.

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