2004 F1 Season

The 2004 Formula One World Championship, marking the 58th season of FIA Formula One motor racing, was a period of dominance for Michael Schumacher and Ferrari. Schumacher clinched his seventh and final Drivers’ Championship, winning an unprecedented 13 races out of 18, and breaking several records, including the most wins in a season and the most consecutive World Drivers’ titles. Ferrari also secured the Constructors’ Championship, their 14th, setting a new record for consecutive titles. The season saw Schumacher’s teammate, Rubens Barrichello, finishing as runner-up, while Jenson Button impressed with a third-place finish for BAR-Honda.

Throughout the season, several teams underwent significant changes. New driver line-ups were introduced, and mid-season changes included Jarno Trulli’s departure from Renault after winning the Monaco Grand Prix, replaced by former world champion Jacques Villeneuve. The season also witnessed regulatory changes, notably the banning of fully-automatic gearboxes and launch control, while traction control remained permitted. The calendar featured two new events, the Bahrain and Chinese Grands Prix, expanding Formula One’s global footprint. However, the season also marked the end of Ford’s involvement in Formula One, as they announced their exit and the sale of Jaguar Racing, which was later acquired by Red Bull.