Post-race
Several days after the race, the official scoring evidence showed that Fisichella had just started his 56th lap before the red flag signal was given; this meant that the race results should not have been determined as of the end of the 53rd lap, but the end of the 54th lap, at which point Fisichella was leading.
Oral arguments and timing evidence were presented to an FIA court in Paris, which, on April 11, awarded victory to Fisichella. It was his first Formula One win and the last for the Jordan team. McLaren declined to file a protest. Since Alonso had been unable to take his place on the podium due to injury, it thus emerged that the Brazilian podium ceremony had proceeded without any step occupied by the correct driver.
An unofficial ceremony was held during the next race weekend at Imola, where Räikkönen and Ron Dennis handed over the winning driver's and constructor's trophies to Fisichella and Eddie Jordan.
Had Räikkönen been able to retain the win, he would have finished level on points with Michael Schumacher in the final standings, however Schumacher would have taken the overall title based on the countback of races won throughout the season.
Read more about this topic: 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix