2004 Japanese Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Michael Schumacher returned to winning form at Suzuka, leading home brother Ralf after a weekend disrupted by Typhoon Ma-on. Jenson Button took third, while Takuma Sato finished fourth in front of his home crowd.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Pole time	1:33.542
Fastest lap	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:32.730 on lap 30
First	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Second	Ralf Schumacher	Williams
Third	Jenson Button	BAR

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
8 October 2004	Practice 1	11:00
8 October 2004	Practice 2	14:00
9 October 2004	Practice 3 (cancelled)	Cancelled
9 October 2004	Practice 4 (cancelled)	Cancelled
10 October 2004	Qualifying 1	09:00
10 October 2004	Qualifying 2	10:00
10 October 2004	Race	14:30

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 17 leading the 2004 F1 World Championship on 136 points, with Rubens Barrichello on 108. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 244 points.

Race entries

Jarno Trulli made his Toyota debut alongside Olivier Panis, who was preparing for his final Grand Prix start. Ricardo Zonta stood aside for this race, with a return planned in Brazil. Jacques Villeneuve continued at Renault and Timo Glock at Jordan, while Ralf Schumacher remained back in the Williams line-up.

Free Practice

Heavy rain made Friday morning exceptionally difficult, with Michael Schumacher quickest. Jarno Trulli used cautious laps to experience the Toyota in the wet for the first time, while Olivier Panis completed only an installation lap before waiting in the garage. Toyota kept Briscoe out because its supply of extreme-wet tyres had to be conserved for the race cars.

Michael Schumacher stayed fastest in the afternoon, but standing water and poor visibility prevented normal preparation. Olivier Panis again avoided meaningful running, concentrating on checks rather than risking the car. Jarno Trulli gained more wet-weather experience, yet the prospect of a dry race left the teams facing major uncertainties over set-up and tyre selection.

Saturday’s opening practice was cancelled as Suzuka closed in preparation for Typhoon Ma-on. Teams secured their equipment and the drivers lost the chance to complete their usual dry-weather preparation. Qualifying was moved to Sunday morning rather than being held in the dangerous conditions.

The final practice session was also cancelled, with no replacement session added before qualifying. The teams therefore had to commit to their Sunday plans using Friday’s limited wet running and previous knowledge of Suzuka. Both one-lap qualifying sessions would take place before the afternoon race.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2004 Japanese Grand Prix FP1, 8 October 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:47.906	5
2	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+0.456s	8
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.940s	4
4	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.031s	5
5	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.532s	7
6	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+3.624s	5
7	19	Timo Glock	Jordan	+4.696s	8
8	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+5.611s	4
9	39	Robert Doornbos	Jordan	+5.697s	10
10	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+6.106s	4
11	40	Bas Leinders	Minardi	+7.549s	10
12	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+7.726s	5
13	7	Jacques Villeneuve	Renault	+9.641s	5
14	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+10.445s	10
15	35	Anthony Davidson	BAR	+12.806s	4
16	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+14.919s	5
17	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+16.049s	7
18	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	No time	1
19	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	No time	3
20	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	No time	2
21	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	No time	3
22	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	No time	1
23	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	No time	3

Free Practice 2 Classification

2004 Japanese Grand Prix FP2, 8 October 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:45.388	5
2	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+0.714s	4
3	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.361s	5
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+1.486s	5
5	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+2.645s	7
6	19	Timo Glock	Jordan	+3.889s	8
7	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.898s	4
8	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+3.982s	6
9	35	Anthony Davidson	BAR	+4.210s	12
10	7	Jacques Villeneuve	Renault	+4.284s	8
11	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+4.324s	7
12	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+4.348s	4
13	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+4.672s	3
14	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+4.998s	7
15	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+5.278s	9
16	39	Robert Doornbos	Jordan	+5.619s	11
17	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+6.844s	9
18	40	Bas Leinders	Minardi	+7.554s	8
19	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+7.806s	6
20	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+8.094s	3
21	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+9.315s	8
22	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	No time	2
23	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	No time	1

Free Practice 3 Classification

2004 Japanese Grand Prix FP3, 9 October 2004

The session was cancelled and no classification was issued.

Free Practice 4 Classification

2004 Japanese Grand Prix FP4, 9 October 2004

The session was cancelled and no classification was issued.

Qualifying

Michael Schumacher used the improving Sunday-morning conditions to take pole, with Ralf Schumacher second. Mark Webber put Jaguar third, ahead of Takuma Sato and Jenson Button. Jarno Trulli qualified sixth on his Toyota debut, a strong result after such limited preparation.

Mistakes and the changing grip caught out several leading drivers, leaving Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen, Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barrichello in the second half of the grid. With no Saturday practice and a drying surface during qualifying, the weekend offered little opportunity to settle into a normal rhythm.

Qualifying Classification

2004 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying, 10 October 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	First qualifying	Second qualifying	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:38.397	1:33.542	6
2	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:38.864	1:34.032	6
3	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	1:39.170	1:34.571	6
4	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	1:40.135	1:34.897	6
5	9	Jenson Button	BAR	1:41.423	1:35.157	6
6	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:37.716	1:35.213	6
7	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	1:40.151	1:36.136	6
8	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:41.126	1:36.156	6
9	7	Jacques Villeneuve	Renault	1:41.857	1:36.274	6
10	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:40.029	1:36.420	6
11	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:42.056	1:36.663	6
12	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:41.517	1:36.820	6
13	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:44.370	1:37.653	6
14	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	1:42.054	1:38.258	6
15	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:41.001	1:38.637	6
16	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	1:42.434	1:41.953	6
17	19	Timo Glock	Jordan	1:43.682	1:43.533	6
18	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	1:45.415	1:48.069	6
19	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	1:41.707	1:41.707	5
20	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	No time	No time	2

Felipe Massa did not get a time in Q2 after spinning off the track.

Zsolt Baumgartner did not get a time in Q1 after spinning off the track at turn 9.

Zsolt Baumgartner did not get a time in Q2 after driving off the track in Q1.

Zsolt Baumgartner received a 10-place grid penalty for an engine change.

What happened in the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix?

The Schumacher brothers held the leading positions at the start, while Mark Webber lost ground to the BARs and Jarno Trulli. Michael Schumacher quickly established control and retained the lead even through his first stop. Jenson Button and Takuma Sato pursued different strategies in their contest for the final podium place.

Mark Webber retired after excessive cockpit heat caused discomfort and minor burns. Jarno Trulli slipped back as his Toyota proved harder to handle with more fuel aboard, while the faster cars from the lower grid positions recovered. Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard collided during their battle, ending both races.

Michael Schumacher won ahead of Ralf Schumacher, with Jenson Button’s two-stop strategy bringing him third. Takuma Sato finished fourth despite physical discomfort and a drinking-system problem, followed by Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen, Juan Pablo Montoya and Giancarlo Fisichella. BAR increased its advantage over Renault to 16 points with one round remaining.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 146 points, followed by Rubens Barrichello on 108. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 254, with BAR on 116.

2004 Japanese Grand Prix race results

The 2004 Japanese Grand Prix was held on 10 October 2004, with a scheduled start of 14:30 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	53	1:24:26.985	10
2	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	53	+14.098	8
3	9	Jenson Button	BAR	53	+19.662	6
4	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	53	+31.781	5
5	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	53	+37.767	4
6	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	53	+39.362	3
7	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	53	+55.347	2
8	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	53	+56.276	1
9	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	53	+1:29.656	0
10	7	Jacques Villeneuve	Renault	52	+1 Lap	0
11	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	52	+1 Lap	0
12	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	52	+1 Lap	0
13	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	52	+1 Lap	0
14	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	51	+2 Laps	0
15	19	Timo Glock	Jordan	51	+2 Laps	0
16	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	50	+3 Laps	0
Ret	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	41	Spin	0
Ret	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	38	Collision	0
Ret	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	38	Collision	0
Ret	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	20	Overheating	0

Zsolt Baumgartner started the race from the pitlane.

2004 Japanese Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	30	1:32.730	225.441
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	41	1:32.796	225.281
3	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	23	1:33.467	223.663
4	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	40	1:33.614	223.312
5	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	28	1:33.742	223.007
6	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	30	1:33.779	222.919
7	9	Jenson Button	BAR	33	1:33.819	222.824
8	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	44	1:33.850	222.751
9	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	14	1:33.917	222.592
10	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	35	1:33.920	222.585
11	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	13	1:34.229	221.855
12	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	29	1:34.279	221.737
13	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	11	1:34.438	221.364
14	16	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	52	1:34.626	220.924
15	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	32	1:35.261	219.451
16	7	Jacques Villeneuve	Renault	28	1:35.290	219.385
17	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	25	1:35.524	218.847
18	19	Timo Glock	Jordan	14	1:36.667	216.259
19	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	27	1:39.352	210.415
20	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	26	1:39.434	210.241

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 Japanese Grand Prix.

2004 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	146
2	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari	108
3	Jenson Button	British	BAR	85
4	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	54
5	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	Williams	48
6	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Renault / Toyota	46
7	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	37
8	Takuma Sato	Japanese	BAR	31
9	David Coulthard	British	McLaren	24
10	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Sauber	22
11	Ralf Schumacher	German	Williams	20
12	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Sauber	11
13	Mark Webber	Australian	Jaguar	7
14	Olivier Panis	French	Toyota	6
15	Antônio Pizzonia	Brazilian	Williams	6
16	Christian Klien	Austrian	Jaguar	3
17	Cristiano da Matta	Brazilian	Toyota	3
18	Nick Heidfeld	German	Jordan	3
19	Timo Glock	German	Jordan	2
20	Zsolt Baumgartner	Hungarian	Minardi	1
21	Ricardo Zonta	Brazilian	Toyota	0
22	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	Renault	0
23	Marc Gené	Spanish	Williams	0
24	Giorgio Pantano	Italian	Jordan	0
25	Gianmaria Bruni	Italian	Minardi	0

2004 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	254
2	BAR	116
3	Renault	100
4	Williams	74
5	McLaren	61
6	Sauber	33
7	Jaguar	10
8	Toyota	9
9	Jordan	5
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