2004 Malaysian Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Michael Schumacher made it two wins from two at Sepang International Circuit, resisting Juan Pablo Montoya in the Malaysian heat. Jenson Button supplied the breakthrough story behind them, claiming his first Formula 1 podium for an increasingly competitive BAR team.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Pole time	1:33.074
Fastest lap	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams
Fastest-lap time	1:34.223 on lap 28
First	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Second	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams
Third	Jenson Button	BAR

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
19 March 2004	Practice 1	11:00
19 March 2004	Practice 2	14:00
20 March 2004	Practice 3	10:00
20 March 2004	Practice 4	11:15
20 March 2004	Qualifying 1	14:00
20 March 2004	Qualifying 2	After first qualifying
21 March 2004	Race	15:00

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 2 leading the 2004 F1 World Championship on 10 points, with Rubens Barrichello on 8. Ferrari headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 18 points.

Race entries

The same 20 race drivers travelled from Melbourne to Sepang. Jaguar’s Mark Webber would give the established front-runners an unexpected challenge, while BAR arrived looking to turn its encouraging opening-race pace into a podium finish.

Free Practice

Ferrari led Friday morning, but the tropical conditions presented a very different test from Melbourne. Toyota introduced aerodynamic changes, including a revised front wing and turning vanes, as it sought more grip. Its race drivers concentrated on establishing the balance while Ricardo Zonta worked through the third car’s programme, giving the team more information without consuming the race engines’ mileage.

Kimi Räikkönen headed a much closer afternoon session, with the leading ten drivers covered by a second. Track temperatures reached 53 degrees, making tyre behaviour over longer runs particularly important. Ferrari continued with race preparation rather than chasing the headline time. Da Cristiano da Matta spun at Turn 14 and lost valuable running, whereas Olivier Panis completed tyre comparisons and reported a clear improvement in the Toyota.

Michael Schumacher returned to the top on Saturday morning, opening a substantial gap over Fernando Alonso. His seven laps were enough to establish the benchmark, while the Renault driver completed 12 as teams prepared for their single-lap qualifying runs. Toyota’s morning remained difficult for da Cristiano da Matta, who spun into the gravel again and lost more preparation time before the decisive afternoon.

The contest tightened again in final practice, with Juan Pablo Montoya just 0.037 seconds behind Michael Schumacher. The Ferrari’s pace in the heat challenged expectations that the conditions would favour its Michelin-shod rivals. Olivier Panis was happier with his Toyota’s morning balance, but another spin for da Cristiano da Matta left him short of confidence ahead of qualifying.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2004 Malaysian Grand Prix FP1, 19 March 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:34.437	11
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.943s	8
3	35	Anthony Davidson	BAR	+1.533s	21
4	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	+1.710s	21
5	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+1.792s	11
6	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+1.877s	5
7	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+2.041s	6
8	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+2.169s	9
9	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+2.581s	5
10	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+2.682s	13
11	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+3.001s	4
12	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+3.153s	12
13	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+3.379s	10
14	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+3.558s	5
15	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+3.586s	6
16	37	Bjorn Wirdheim	Jaguar	+3.649s	18
17	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+4.117s	11
18	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+4.297s	11
19	39	Timo Glock	Jordan	+4.351s	18
20	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+4.394s	8
21	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+5.423s	14
22	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+6.712s	6
23	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+8.119s	14
24	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+8.281s	5
25	40	Bas Leinders	Minardi	+8.987s	15

Free Practice 2 Classification

2004 Malaysian Grand Prix FP2, 19 March 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:34.395	17
2	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.298s	24
3	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+0.659s	20
4	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.699s	22
5	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.705s	23
6	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.720s	20
7	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+0.893s	21
8	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.905s	20
9	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.906s	13
10	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.978s	19
11	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.012s	19
12	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+1.129s	19
13	38	Ricardo Zonta	Toyota	+1.455s	27
14	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+1.601s	19
15	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+1.897s	6
16	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+1.958s	28
17	35	Anthony Davidson	BAR	+2.313s	5
18	37	Bjorn Wirdheim	Jaguar	+2.488s	21
19	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+2.512s	7
20	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.330s	19
21	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+3.423s	19
22	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+4.193s	10
23	39	Timo Glock	Jordan	+4.401s	27
24	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+4.929s	16
25	40	Bas Leinders	Minardi	+7.090s	23

Free Practice 3 Classification

2004 Malaysian Grand Prix FP3, 20 March 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:33.391	7
2	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.784s	12
3	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.848s	8
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.971s	9
5	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+1.024s	9
6	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+1.091s	14
7	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+1.156s	12
8	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+1.379s	5
9	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+1.448s	11
10	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+2.125s	9
11	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+2.287s	4
12	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+2.306s	16
13	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+2.306s	10
14	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+2.422s	10
15	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+2.715s	8
16	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.803s	9
17	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+4.911s	11
18	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+5.622s	13
19	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+5.818s	11
20	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	No time	4

Free Practice 4 Classification

2004 Malaysian Grand Prix FP4, 20 March 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:33.526	11
2	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	+0.037s	8
3	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	+0.447s	8
4	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	+0.515s	12
5	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	+0.535s	9
6	9	Jenson Button	BAR	+0.602s	13
7	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.637s	10
8	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	+0.655s	10
9	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.668s	10
10	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	+0.855s	12
11	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	+1.403s	16
12	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	+1.417s	5
13	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	+1.427s	16
14	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	+1.510s	10
15	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	+1.618s	13
16	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	+1.915s	15
17	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	+3.081s	11
18	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	+4.533s	12
19	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	+5.028s	13
20	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	+6.367s	13

Qualifying

Michael Schumacher claimed pole, but Mark Webber produced the surprise of the afternoon by putting his Jaguar on the front row. Rubens Barrichello and Juan Pablo Montoya occupied the second row, followed by Kimi Räikkönen and Jenson Button. Mark Webber’s lap gave Jaguar a rare opportunity to take the fight to the leading teams from the start.

Fernando Alonso spun on his decisive lap and was left facing a recovery from nineteenth. Da Cristiano da Matta recovered from his practice difficulties to qualify tenth after Toyota improved the car between his two runs. Olivier Panis went the other way: a balance change brought oversteer and left him fourteenth.

Qualifying Classification

2004 Malaysian Grand Prix Qualifying, 20 March 2004

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	First qualifying	Second qualifying	Laps
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:33.865	1:33.074	6
2	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	1:34.016	1:33.715	6
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	1:34.132	1:33.756	6
4	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	1:34.941	1:34.054	7
5	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:33.452	1:34.164	6
6	9	Jenson Button	BAR	1:34.528	1:34.221	6
7	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	1:34.777	1:34.235	6
8	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	1:33.264	1:34.413	6
9	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	1:34.321	1:34.602	6
10	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	1:35.684	1:34.917	6
11	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	1:35.132	1:35.039	6
12	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	1:34.877	1:35.061	6
13	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	1:35.618	1:35.158	6
14	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	1:35.247	1:35.617	6
15	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	1:36.769	1:36.569	6
16	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	1:38.729	1:38.577	6
17	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	1:39.805	1:39.272	6
18	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	No time	1:39.902	3
19	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:33.193	DNF	5
20	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	1:34.971	DNF	5

Giorgio Pantano did not get time in Q1 due to gearbox problems.

Fernando Alonso did not get a time in Q2 after spinning off the track at turn 14.

Takuma Sato did not get a time in Q2 after spinning off the track at turn 11.

Giorgio Pantano, Fernando Alonso and Takuma Sato received a 10-place grid penalty for engine changes.

Giorgio Pantano became the first driver to experience the new penalty for using the spare car and as such a different engine during a Grand Prix weekend.

What happened in the 2004 Malaysian Grand Prix?

Michael Schumacher led away, while Mark Webber’s poor start dropped him into the midfield. A brief shower added uncertainty without forcing a switch to wet tyres. Fernando Alonso charged from nineteenth to eighth within four laps, but Mark Webber’s afternoon unravelled through contact with Ralf Schumacher, a puncture, a speeding penalty and finally a spin into retirement.

Juan Pablo Montoya kept the leading Ferrari in sight, but Michael Schumacher maintained control through the stops. Jenson Button moved into third as the race developed, while Kimi Räikkönen retired with transmission trouble and Ralf Schumacher suffered an engine failure. Takuma Sato’s late Honda failure gave BAR an anxious moment, but Jenson Button’s car continued safely.

Michael Schumacher won by just over five seconds from Juan Pablo Montoya, with Jenson Button celebrating his first podium. Rubens Barrichello, Jarno Trulli, David Coulthard, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa completed the points. Ferrari had won again, but the smaller margin and BAR’s breakthrough showed that Melbourne had not settled every question about the season ahead.

After the race, Michael Schumacher headed the drivers’ standings with 20 points, followed by Rubens Barrichello on 13. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 33, with Williams on 17.

2004 Malaysian Grand Prix race results

The 2004 Malaysian Grand Prix was held on 21 March 2004, with a scheduled start of 15:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	56	1:31:07.490	10
2	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	56	+5.022	8
3	9	Jenson Button	BAR	56	+11.568	6
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	56	+13.615	5
5	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	56	+37.360	4
6	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	56	+53.098	3
7	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	56	+1:07.877	2
8	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	55	+1 Lap	1
9	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	55	+1 Lap	0
10	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	55	+1 Lap	0
11	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	55	+1 Lap	0
12	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	55	+1 Lap	0
13	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	54	+2 Laps	0
14	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	53	+3 Laps	0
15	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	52	Engine	0
16	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	52	+4 Laps	0
Ret	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	40	Hydraulics/Engine	0
Ret	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	34	Transmission	0
Ret	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	27	Engine	0
Ret	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	23	Spun off	0

Giorgio Pantano started the race from the pitlane.

2004 Malaysian Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	3	Juan Pablo Montoya	Williams	28	1:34.223	211.782
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	6	1:34.819	210.451
3	9	Jenson Button	BAR	28	1:34.967	210.123
4	7	Jarno Trulli	Renault	12	1:35.039	209.964
5	6	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	12	1:35.156	209.706
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari	7	1:35.350	209.279
7	4	Ralf Schumacher	Williams	10	1:35.607	208.716
8	10	Takuma Sato	BAR	13	1:35.679	208.559
9	5	David Coulthard	McLaren	26	1:35.852	208.183
10	8	Fernando Alonso	Renault	7	1:35.888	208.105
11	17	Olivier Panis	Toyota	23	1:35.951	207.968
12	16	Cristiano da Matta	Toyota	22	1:36.544	206.691
13	12	Felipe Massa	Sauber	7	1:36.570	206.635
14	11	Giancarlo Fisichella	Sauber	54	1:36.675	206.411
15	14	Mark Webber	Jaguar	9	1:36.922	205.885
16	15	Christian Klien	Jaguar	12	1:37.031	205.653
17	18	Nick Heidfeld	Jordan	15	1:37.433	204.805
18	19	Giorgio Pantano	Jordan	41	1:39.527	200.496
19	20	Gianmaria Bruni	Minardi	11	1:39.911	199.725
20	21	Zsolt Baumgartner	Minardi	12	1:40.123	199.302

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 Malaysian Grand Prix.

2004 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

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

2004 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Ferrari	33
2	Williams	17
3	Renault	14
4	BAR	9
5	McLaren	4
6	Sauber	1
7	Toyota	0
8	Jaguar	0
9	Jordan	0
10	Minardi	0

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