2004 Season

Michael Schumacher won the Drivers’ Championship, driving for Ferrari, in a season consisting of 18 races. Ferrari also secured the Constructors’ Championship, amassing 262 points and 15 victories. Schumacher’s campaign was marked by dominance, with 13 wins out of 18 races and a total of 148 points. His teammate, Rubens Barrichello, finished second in the standings with 114 points and two victories, while Jenson Button of BAR was third with 85 points and no wins.

The title battle was one-sided from the outset. Schumacher won the opening five races, building an early points gap over Barrichello. After round 3, Schumacher already led by 9 points, and this margin grew steadily: 16 points after round 4, 18 after round 5, and 14 after round 7. The championship lead was never seriously threatened, as Schumacher’s consistent wins and podiums ensured a comfortable advantage throughout the season.

Five different drivers won races: Schumacher (13), Barrichello (2), Jarno Trulli (1), Kimi Räikkönen (1), and Juan Pablo Montoya (1). Notable achievements include Schumacher’s 15 podiums and Ferrari’s 15 wins, underlining their superiority. The season saw a variety of race incidents, with 21 retirements due to collisions and 20 due to engine failures.

Within Formula 1 history, the 2004 season stands as one of the most dominant by a driver and team under the regulations of the early 2000s. Schumacher’s 13 wins set a high benchmark for single-season victories, and Ferrari’s performance marked the peak of their era.