2004 Belgian Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Belgium
Grand Prix = Belgium


Official name = LXI Belgian Grand Prix
date = August 29
Year = 2004
Race_No = 14
Season_No = 18
Location = Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 4.333
Course_km = 6.973
Distance_laps = 44
Distance_mi = 190.652
Distance_km = 306.812
Weather = Dry
Pole_Driver = Jarno Trulli
Pole_Team = Renault
Pole_Time = 1:56.232
Pole_Country = Italy
Fast_Driver = Kimi Räikkönen
Fast_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
Fast_Time = 1:45.108
Fast_L

Fast_Country = Finland
First_Driver = Kimi Räikkönen
First_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
First_Country = Finland
Second_Driver = Michael Schumacher
Second_Team = Ferrari
Second_Country= Germany
Third_Driver = Rubens Barrichello
Third_Team = Ferrari
Third_Country = Brazil

The 2004 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One held on August 29, 2004 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. It was at this race that Michael Schumacher won his seventh world championship despite Kimi Räikkönen taking his and McLaren's first race win of the season, from tenth place on the grid. Going into the race, Michael Schumacher only needed two points more than his teammate Rubens Barrichello to win the championship.

Mark Webber triggered a pile-up at the start, eliminating four cars and damaging several others, although he did admit to his mistake later. The race saw Christian Klien score his first championship points, and Olivier Panis his last. For most of the race the Michelin-shod cars were faster, however the final result had four Bridgestone cars in the top five. Pole-setter Jarno Trulli lost pace throughout the race due to damage to the floor of the car, both Williams cars broke down, and David Coulthard was involved in several incidents in something of a repeat of the notorious 1998 race. Schumacher in the end took second to wrap up his 7th and final World Championship.

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Classification

Notes

* Lap Leaders: Jarno Trulli 9 (1-9), Fernando Alonso 2 (10-11), Kimi Räikkönen 29 (12-13, 17-29, 31-44), Juan Pablo Montoya 1 (14), Michael Schumacher 2 (15, 30) and Antonio Pizzonia 1 (16)
*Kimi Räikkönen's only victory of the season.
*Ricardo Zonta was on course for a points finish, but his engine failed during the closing stages of the race.
*There was a first lap pile-up which caused several drivers to retire.

External links

* [http://www.funof1.com.ar/tx/gp200414_eng_maxi_.htm Comments of 2004 Belgium GP (The race)]

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Belgian Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 2004
Previous_race_in_season = 2004 Hungarian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 2004 Italian Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 2002 Belgian Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 2005 Belgian Grand Prix