After failing to complete the 2002 season due to financial difficulties, the Arrows team had their application for admission to the 2003 championship rejected by the FIA prior to the season start date. No reason was publicly given by the FIA and Arrows subsequently folded after 25 years in Formula One since 1978.  2003 also saw a major leap forward in Formula One safety, with the HANS device being made a mandatory requirement for drivers to wear at all races beginning from the Australian Grand Prix onwards. However, this was not without controversy, as many drivers voiced their complaints about the device, including Barrichello, Jacques Villeneuve, Justin Wilson and Nick Heidfeld. The following teams and drivers competed in the 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship. † All engines were required to have ten cylinders and an engine capacity not exceeding 3000 cc, and all were of V10 configuration. The 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship was contested over the following sixteen races:   Points were awarded to the top eight finishing drivers and constructors as follows:   Driver did not finish the Grand Prix, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.