2004 British Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Kimi Räikkönen gave McLaren its first pole of the season at Silverstone Circuit, but Michael Schumacher’s race strategy again proved decisive. The Ferrari driver won ahead of Kimi Räikkönen and Rubens Barrichello after a late Safety Car period briefly reopened the contest.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Pole time	1:18.233
Fastest lap	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:18.739 on lap 14
First	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Second	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Third	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
9 July 2004	Practice 1	11:00
9 July 2004	Practice 2	14:00
10 July 2004	Practice 3	09:00
10 July 2004	Practice 4	10:15
10 July 2004	Qualifying 1	13:00
10 July 2004	Qualifying 2	14:00
11 July 2004	Race	13:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Michael Schumacher arrived at round 11 leading the 2004 F1 World Championship on 90 points, with Rubens Barrichello on 68. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 158 points.

Race entries

Gené continued in place of the injured Ralf Schumacher at Williams. Minardi raced in mourning after the death of sporting director John Walton, withdrawing from Saturday’s opening practice session as a mark of respect.

Free Practice

Rubens Barrichello led Michael Schumacher on Friday morning. With rain expected later, Ferrari moved more of its planned work into the first session rather than risking an incomplete tyre programme. The cool conditions also complicated the set-up choices for Williams, which was still assessing how its tyres would behave at Silverstone.

Kimi Räikkönen edged Giancarlo Fisichella by just five thousandths in the afternoon, a promising sign for both McLaren and Sauber. Michael Schumacher concentrated on used tyres after Ferrari’s revised programme, while Rubens Barrichello struggled more on new rubber. The differing run plans made the headline order difficult to interpret, but McLaren’s improved pace was becoming increasingly convincing.

Kimi Räikkönen remained fastest on Saturday morning, ahead of Jenson Button. Minardi’s cars stayed in the garage following Walton’s death, leaving a subdued backdrop to the session. The running continued for the other teams as McLaren sought to turn the new car’s speed into its first pole of the year.

Kimi Räikkönen again led Jenson Button in final practice, while Michael Schumacher survived two excursions. Fernando Alonso suffered an apparent engine failure late in the session, forcing Renault to replace the unit and accept a ten-place grid penalty. That setback left one of the potential front-runners facing a recovery race before qualifying had even begun.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2004 British Grand Prix FP1, 9 July 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:19.138	16
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.076s	25
3	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.364s	13
4	4	Marc Gene	Williams	+0.549s	14
5	35	Anthony Davidson	BAR	+0.610s	23
6	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.883s	6
7	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+1.292s	17
8	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+1.308s	10
9	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.495s	5
10	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.728s	8
11	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	+1.957s	27
12	37	Bjorn Wirdheim	Jaguar	+2.139s	24
13	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+2.147s	13
14	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+2.382s	6
15	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+2.654s	13
16	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+2.865s	5
17	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+3.141s	11
18	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+3.328s	16
19	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+3.382s	15
20	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+3.526s	20
21	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.578s	20
22	39	Timo Glock	Jordan	+4.011s	23
23	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+4.525s	19
24	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+4.577s	20
25	40	Bas Leinders	Minardi	+5.749s	18

Free Practice 2 Classification

2004 British Grand Prix FP2, 9 July 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:18.655	16
2	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+0.005s	20
3	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.507s	14
4	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.632s	17
5	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+0.746s	19
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.818s	22
7	4	Marc Gene	Williams	+0.885s	20
8	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.946s	21
9	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+0.956s	13
10	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+1.021s	23
11	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.091s	20
12	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.219s	30
13	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	+1.440s	35
14	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+1.834s	25
15	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+2.174s	19
16	35	Anthony Davidson	BAR	+2.206s	14
17	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+2.418s	30
18	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+2.697s	27
19	37	Bjorn Wirdheim	Jaguar	+2.698s	33
20	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.710s	13
21	39	Timo Glock	Jordan	+3.845s	24
22	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+3.861s	25
23	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+3.931s	14
24	40	Bas Leinders	Minardi	+4.137s	20
25	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+4.781s	23

Free Practice 3 Classification

2004 British Grand Prix FP3, 10 July 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:19.315	5
2	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+0.153s	6
3	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.256s	11
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.270s	8
5	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.384s	10
6	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.651s	5
7	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.664s	5
8	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+0.862s	6
9	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.167s	13
10	4	Marc Gene	Williams	+1.237s	13
11	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+1.370s	6
12	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+1.444s	9
13	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+1.702s	11
14	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+1.980s	5
15	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+2.101s	15
16	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+2.391s	6
17	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+2.669s	11
18	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.188s	12

Free Practice 4 Classification

2004 British Grand Prix FP4, 10 July 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:18.280	14
2	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+0.134s	12
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.343s	13
4	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.414s	14
5	4	Marc Gene	Williams	+0.552s	10
6	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.632s	11
7	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.639s	11
8	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.671s	8
9	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.889s	12
10	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+1.615s	10
11	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+1.903s	19
12	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+2.001s	6
13	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+2.030s	23
14	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+2.251s	16
15	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+2.446s	12
16	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+2.557s	8
17	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+2.633s	18
18	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+3.700s	15
19	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+3.734s	11
20	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+5.661s	12

Qualifying

The forecast produced a bizarre first session: drivers deliberately slowed, and some ran wide or spun, seeking an early slot in the second session before the expected rain. The rain never arrived. Kimi Räikkönen then delivered the fastest decisive lap, ahead of Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher.

Fernando Alonso’s engine penalty pushed him back from sixth, while Olivier Panis lost his qualifying time after impeding Felipe Massa. Toyota disputed the severity of that decision, but the Frenchman was left near the rear. The unusual tactics in the first session exposed a weakness in the running-order system, even though the pole battle itself stayed dry.

Qualifying Classification

2004 British Grand Prix Qualifying, 10 July 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	First qualifying	Second qualifying	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:21.639	1:18.233	6
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:24.817	1:18.305	6
3	9	Jenson Button	BAR	1:18.872	1:18.580	6
4	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:30.293	1:18.710	6
5	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:21.496	1:18.715	6
6	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:21.923	1:18.811	6
7	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:23.521	1:19.148	6
8	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:34.386	1:19.378	6
9	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	1:28.910	1:19.688	6
10	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	1:35.853	1:20.004	6
11	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	1:19.317	1:20.202	6
12	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:19.697	1:19.697	6
13	4	Marc Gené	Williams	1:34.981	1:20.335	6
14	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	1:22.507	1:20.545	6
15	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	1:38.648	1:21.559	6
16	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	1:21.350	1:22.458	6
17	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	No time	1:22.677	5
18	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	1:22.529	1:23.437	6
19	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	1:23.116	1:24.117	6
20	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	No time	No time	2

Fernando Alonso, Gianmaria Bruni, Zsolt Baumgartner and Giancarlo Fisichella received a 10-place grid penalty for engine changes.

Olivier Panis received a 5-place grid penalty for impeding Felipe Massa.

Nick Heidfeld did not set a time in Q1 because he hoped for rain in Q2.

Giancarlo Fisichella did not set a time in either section to save fuel and tyres.

What happened in the 2004 British Grand Prix?

Kimi Räikkönen led from pole, with Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button behind. Michael Schumacher stayed out longer on a two-stop strategy and produced a series of fast laps as the cars ahead made their first stops. When he finally pitted, he had gained enough time to emerge in the lead.

Kimi Räikkönen continued to challenge, but needed three stops against Schumacher’s two. Jarno Trulli then suffered a heavy crash at Bridge, his Renault rolling into the gravel; he escaped injury. The Safety Car erased Schumacher’s advantage and gave Kimi Räikkönen one more opportunity, but the Ferrari pulled clear again after the restart.

Michael Schumacher won ahead of Kimi Räikkönen and Rubens Barrichello, with Jenson Button fourth at home. Juan Pablo Montoya took fifth, followed by Giancarlo Fisichella, David Coulthard and Mark Webber. McLaren’s first podium of the year confirmed the revised car’s progress, while Ferrari maintained its remarkable run of victories.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 100 points, followed by Rubens Barrichello on 74. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 174, with Renault on 79.

2004 British Grand Prix race results

The 2004 British Grand Prix was held on 11 July 2004, with a scheduled start of 13:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	60	1:24:42.700	10
2	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	60	+2.130	8
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	60	+3.114	6
4	9	Jenson Button	BAR	60	+10.683	5
5	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	60	+12.173	4
6	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	60	+12.888	3
7	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	60	+19.668	2
8	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	60	+23.701	1
9	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	60	+24.023	0
10	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	60	+24.835	0
11	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	60	+33.736	0
12	4	Marc Gené	Williams	60	+34.303	0
13	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	59	+1 Lap	0
14	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	59	+1 Lap	0
15	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	59	+1 Lap	0
16	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	56	+4 Laps	0
Ret	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	47	Spin	0
Ret	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	39	Suspension/Accident	0
Ret	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	29	Engine	0
Ret	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	16	Fire Extinguisher	0

2004 British Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	14	1:18.739	235.049
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	8	1:19.296	233.398
3	9	Jenson Button	BAR	10	1:19.488	232.835
4	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	10	1:19.554	232.641
5	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	22	1:19.813	231.887
6	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	26	1:19.968	231.437
7	4	Marc Gene	Williams	58	1:20.434	230.096
8	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	39	1:20.442	230.073
9	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	58	1:20.484	229.953
10	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	25	1:20.547	229.773
11	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	34	1:20.655	229.466
12	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	11	1:20.768	229.145
13	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	35	1:20.768	229.145
14	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	12	1:20.790	229.082
15	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	10	1:20.956	228.613
16	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	17	1:21.720	226.475
17	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	13	1:22.146	225.301
18	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	4	1:23.131	222.631
19	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	33	1:24.296	219.554
20	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	12	1:24.317	219.500

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2004 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2004 British Grand Prix.

2004 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	100
2	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	74
3	Jenson Button	British	BAR	53
4	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Renault	46
5	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	33
6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	Williams	29
7	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	18
8	Takuma Sato	Japanese	BAR	14
9	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	14
10	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Sauber	13
11	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	12
12	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Sauber	5
13	Olivier Panis	French	Toyota	5
14	Mark Webber	Australian	Jaguar	4
15	Cristiano da Matta	Brazilian	Toyota	3
16	Nick Heidfeld	German	Jordan	3
17	Timo Glock	German	Jordan	2
18	Zsolt Baumgartner	Hungarian	Minardi	1
19	Christian Klien	Austrian	Jaguar	0
20	Marc Gené	Spanish	Williams	0
21	Giorgio Pantano	Italian	Jordan	0
22	Gianmaria Bruni	Italian	Minardi	0

2004 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	174
2	Renault	79
3	BAR	67
4	Williams	41
5	McLaren	32
6	Sauber	18
7	Toyota	8
8	Jordan	5
9	Jaguar	4
10	Minardi	1

2004 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2004 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	7 March
2	2004 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	21 March
3	2004 Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir	4 April
4	2004 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	25 April
5	2004 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	9 May
6	2004 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	23 May
7	2004 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	30 May
8	2004 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	13 June
9	2004 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	20 June
10	2004 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	4 July
11	2004 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	11 July
12	2004 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	25 July
13	2004 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	15 August
14	2004 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	29 August
15	2004 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	12 September
16	2004 Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai	26 September
17	2004 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	10 October
18	2004 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	24 October