2004 Belgian Grand Prix
The 2004 Belgian Grand Prix (formally the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2004) was a Formula One motor race held on 29 August 2004, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, near the village of Francorchamps, Wallonia, Belgium. It was Race 14 of 18 in the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship.
| 2004 Belgian Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 14 of 18 in the 2004 Formula One World Championship | |||
| Race details | |||
| Date | 29 August 2004 | ||
| Official name | Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2004 | ||
| Location | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Francorchamps, Wallonia, Belgium | ||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
| Course length | 6.976 km (4.335 miles) | ||
| Distance | 44 laps, 306.927 km (190.716 miles) | ||
| Weather | Dry with temperatures reaching up to 15 °C (59 °F) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Renault | ||
| Time | 1:56.232 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren-Mercedes | |
| Time | 1:45.108 on lap 42 (lap record) | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | McLaren-Mercedes | ||
| Second | Ferrari | ||
| Third | Ferrari | ||
|
Lap leaders | |||
The race was contested over 44 laps and was won by Kimi Räikkönen, taking his and McLaren's only race win of the season from tenth place on the grid. Second place for Michael Schumacher won his seventh and final world championship, after beating third-placed Rubens Barrichello.
Jarno Trulli started from pole position alongside Schumacher. The race saw many changes of the lead, but following several fortuitous safety cars, Räikkönen was leading the race for the final few laps. 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 and the Jaguar team their last.