The 2004 Chinese Grand Prix (officially the 2004 Formula 1 Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held on 26 September 2004 at the Shanghai International Circuit. It was Race 16 of 18 in the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship and was the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.
The 56-lap race was won by Rubens Barrichello for the Ferrari team, from a pole position start. Jenson Button finished second for the BAR team, with Kimi Räikkönen third in a McLaren.
Report
Background
Michael Schumacher and Ferrari were already the drivers' and constructors' world champions. After the 2004 Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher unassailably led the drivers' standings with 38 points ahead of Rubens Barrichello and 65 points ahead of Jenson Button. Ferrari led the constructors' championship with 140 points, unassailable ahead of BAR and 143 points ahead of Renault.
Renault fired Jarno Trulli after the Italian Grand Prix and was replaced by Jacques Villeneuve, who returned to driving a single-seater after almost a year of inactivity. The dismissal of the Italian driver was due to disagreements with team manager Flavio Briatore.
This was the first race back for Ralf Schumacher after injuries in the 2004 United States Grand Prix three months prior.
Race
The 2004 Chinese Grand Prix, the first to be held at the Shanghai International Circuit, saw Rubens Barrichello of Ferrari start from pole position. He maintained his lead from the start, with Jenson Button of BAR-Honda closely following him. Michael Schumacher, Barrichello's teammate, experienced a spin in the early laps, dropping him to the back of the field.
Pit stops temporarily changed the race order, with Button briefly taking the lead before Barrichello regained it. Tyre strategy was evident, as cars with Bridgestone tyres, including Barrichello's Ferrari, appeared to have better grip compared to those with Michelin tyres.
Kimi Räikkönen of McLaren-Mercedes moved up during the race, ultimately securing third place. Schumacher managed to recover some positions but finished outside the points in 12th place.
Barrichello won the race, followed by Button in second and Räikkönen in third. The event marked China's entry into the Formula 1 calendar and was notable for Ferrari's continued dominance in the 2004 season.
Friday drivers
The bottom 6 teams in the 2003 Constructors' Championship were entitled to run a third car in free practice on Friday. These drivers drove on Friday but did not compete in qualifying or the race.
Classification
Qualifying
Notes
– Takuma Sato, Zsolt Baumgartner and Michael Schumacher received a 10-place grid penalty for engine changes.
Race
Michael Schumacher started the race from the pitlane.
Notes
The race was the first where radio conversations between teams and drivers were broadcast to television viewers.
Championship standings after the race
Bold text and an asterisk indicates the World Champions.
Drivers' Championship standings
Constructors' Championship standings
Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.