Race Overview
The 2004 German Grand Prix, officially known as the Formula 1 Grosser Mobil 1 Preis von Deutschland 2004, took place on July 25, 2004, at the Hockenheimring. This race was the 12th of 18 in the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Race Winner: Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher, driving for Ferrari, secured a spectacular victory in the 66-lap race. Starting from pole position, Schumacher dominated the race and clinched his eleventh win of the season. This victory equaled his impressive record from the 2002 season.
Podium Finishers
- Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) – Schumacher’s performance was flawless as he led the race from start to finish. His win reinforced his dominant position in the 2004 championship.
- Jenson Button (BAR-Honda) – Despite starting from the back of the grid due to a ten-place penalty for an engine change, Button delivered a commendable performance. He managed to finish in second place, overcoming a loose helmet strap during the race.
- Fernando Alonso (Renault) – Alonso secured the third spot on the podium, showcasing his skill and consistency throughout the race.
Notable Moments
- Kimi Räikkönen’s Retirement: Kimi Räikkönen, driving for McLaren-Mercedes, set the fastest lap of the race but unfortunately retired on lap 14. His race ended when his rear wing failed, causing him to crash into the barriers at Turn 1.
- Race Start Issues: The initial start of the race was aborted after Olivier Panis experienced issues with his Toyota. This led to a second formation lap and a reduction in the race distance by one lap.
Key Changes and Final Appearances
- Cristiano da Matta’s Farewell: The 2004 German Grand Prix marked the final appearance of Brazilian driver Cristiano da Matta in Formula One.
- End of the Walrus Wing: This race was also notable for being the last time Williams used the “Walrus” front wing design.
- Antônio Pizzonia’s Return: Antônio Pizzonia made a return to Formula One with Williams, replacing Marc Gené. Pizzonia made a strong comeback, finishing in seventh place and earning his first points of the season.
Conclusion
Michael Schumacher’s victory at the 2004 German Grand Prix was a testament to his exceptional driving skill and the performance of his Ferrari team. The race was marked by notable retirements, strategic maneuvers, and significant changes within the teams, making it a memorable event in the 2004 Formula One season.
| Pos | No | Driver | Constructor | Laps | Time/Retired | Grid | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | 66 | 1:23:54.848 | 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 9 | Jenson Button | BAR-Honda | 66 | + 8.388 | 13 | 8 |
| 3 | 8 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 66 | + 16.351 | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | 5 | David Coulthard | McLaren-Mercedes | 66 | + 19.231 | 4 | 5 |
| 5 | 3 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Williams-BMW | 66 | + 23.055 | 2 | 4 |
| 6 | 14 | Mark Webber | Jaguar-Cosworth | 66 | + 41.108 | 11 | 3 |
| 7 | 4 | Antônio Pizzonia | Williams-BMW | 66 | + 41.956 | 10 | 2 |
| 8 | 10 | Takuma Sato | BAR-Honda | 66 | + 46.842 | 8 | 1 |
| 9 | 11 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Sauber-Petronas | 66 | + 1:07.102 | 14 | |
| 10 | 15 | Christian Klien | Jaguar-Cosworth | 66 | + 1:08.578 | 12 | |
| 11 | 7 | Jarno Trulli | Renault | 66 | + 1:10.258 | 6 | |
| 12 | 2 | Rubens Barrichello | Ferrari | 66 | + 1:13.252 | 7 | |
| 13 | 12 | Felipe Massa | Sauber-Petronas | 65 | + 1 Lap | 16 | |
| 14 | 17 | Olivier Panis | Toyota | 65 | + 1 Lap | PL | |
| 15 | 19 | Giorgio Pantano | Jordan-Ford | 63 | + 3 Laps | 17 | |
| 16 | 21 | Zsolt Baumgartner | Minardi-Cosworth | 62 | + 4 Laps | 20 | |
| 17 | 20 | Gianmaria Bruni | Minardi-Cosworth | 62 | + 4 Laps | 19 | |
| Ret | 18 | Nick Heidfeld | Jordan-Ford | 42 | Handling | 18 | |
| Ret | 16 | Cristiano da Matta | Toyota | 38 | Puncture | 15 | |
| Ret | 6 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren-Mercedes | 13 | Rear Wing/Accident | 3 |