2004 Japanese Grand Prix

The 2004 Japanese Grand Prix, otherwise formally known as the 2004 Formula 1 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix, (XXXI フジテレビ日本グランプリ in Japanese), was the seventeenth and penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan, on 10 October 2004.'Japanese GP 2004: Hurricane Michael blows 'em away', crash.net, (Crash Media Group, 10/10/2004), https://www.crash.net/f1/race-report/50333/1/japanese-gp-2004-hurricane-michael-blows-em-away, (Accessed 28/12/2019) Staged on the weekend where Typhoon Ma-on swept across Japan, the race would see Michael Schumacher claim a dominant victory for , his thirteenth of the campaign.
Indeed, the typhoon had been predicted to batter Suzuka on its way across the Japanese islands, and hence caused Saturday's running to be cancelled. That meant that qualifying was staged on Sunday morning, with Schumacher claiming pole position ahead of brother Ralf Schumacher, while Mark Webber claimed third ahead of Takuma Sato and Jenson Button.
Ultimately the typhoon missed Suzuka entirely, and hence meant that, barring some heavy rain on Saturday, there had been no issues at the circuit. Furthermore, the circuit would be completely dry fort he race, with bright, sunny conditions ensuring everyone started on dry tyres.
The start itself saw hopes of Michael Schumacher being challenged instantly vaporised, for the #1 Ferrari made a barnstorming start to claim the lead. Ralf Schumacher was hence left to settle into second, while Button dived past Webber and Sato to secure third.
Indeed, Michael Schumacher quickly stamped his authority, rapidly building a lead over his closet pursuers with a suspected three-stop strategy. Behind, Ralf Schumacher ran on his own, while Button faced some stiff competition from teammate Sato, with the s eventually swapping over on lap eight with Sato on a lower fuel strategy.
The first round of stops were triggered by Ralf Schumacher, although hopes that Michael Schumacher was on the same three-stop strategy were broken when he continued through to lap thirteen. Such was the #1 Ferrari's lead by that staged that Schumacher was able to stop without losing the lead, while teammate Rubens Barrichello gained a lot of ground at his first stop.
The order remained unchanged after the first round of stops, and would stay that way through the second, with Schumacher stopping without losing the lead, while Sato briefly ran in second until making his stop. Unfortunately for the home fans a long stop for the #10 BAR ensured that Sato tumbled back down the order, with Ralf Schumacher another loser.
With Michael Schumacher out of sight the rest of the race was focused on a three way fight for second, with Button holding Ralf Schumacher and David Coulthard at bay. That would become a four-way tussle in the latter stages as Barrichello swept up behind them, until he removed himself and Coulthard from the fight with a clash at the chicane. Button and Ralf Schumacher, meanwhile, would swap positions at the final round of stops, with the BAR not responding well to its final set of tyres.
Out front, meanwhile, Michael Schumacher claimed his thirteenth win of the season unopposed, reasserting his dominance from the first two thirds of the season. Ralf Schumacher and Button duly completed the podium ahead of Sato, with Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen, Juan Pablo Montoya and Giancarlo Fisichella completing the points scorers.
==Background==
Michael Schumacher had failed to score for only the second time in , although as he had already secured the crown that was of little concern. Behind, teammate Rubens Barrichello used his second victory in a row to secure second in the Championship, moving 29 points clear of Jenson Button with just twenty left to fight for. The Brit himself, meanwhile, was guaranteed third in the Championship, while Fernando Alonso held fifth place by four points.
In the Constructors Championship had moved onto 244 points for the season after securing their fourteenth win of the season, leaving them just one shy of the record for most wins in a single campaign. The fight for second, meanwhile, was moving more in 's favour with just two races to go, with the Anglo-Japanese squad moving nine ahead of . They would therefore take the runner-up spot if they outscored the French manufacturer by nine in Japan, with third the worst that either squad could finish the season.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2004 	 	053 3.0 V10 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F2004 	 	053 3.0 V10 	
3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW26 	 	P84 3.0 V10 	
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	BMW Williams F1 Team 	 	FW26 	 	P84 3.0 V10 	
5 	David Coulthard 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-19B 	 	FO110Q 3.0 V10 	
6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-19B 	 	FO110Q 3.0 V10 	
7 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R24 	 	RS24 3.0 V10 	
8 	Fernando Alonso 	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team 	 	R24 	 	RS24 3.0 V10 	
9 	Jenson Button 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	006 	 	RA004E 3.0 V10 	
10 	Takuma Sato 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	006 	 	RA004E 3.0 V10 	
11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	Sauber Petronas 	 	C23 	 	04A 3.0 V10 	
12 	Felipe Massa 	Sauber Petronas 	 	C23 	 	04A 3.0 V10 	
14 	Mark Webber 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R5R5B 	 	CR-6 3.0 V10 	
15 	Christian Klien 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R5 	 	CR-6 3.0 V10 	
16 	Jarno Trulli 	Panasonic Toyota Racing 	 	TF104B 	 	RVX-04 3.0 V10 	
17 	Olivier Panis 	Panasonic Toyota Racing 	 	TF104B 	 	RVX-04 3.0 V10 	
18 	Nick Heidfeld 	Jordan Ford 	 	EJ14 	 	RS2 3.0 V10 	
19 	Timo Glock 	Jordan Ford 	 	EJ14 	 	RS2 3.0 V10 	
20 	Gianmaria Bruni 	Minardi Cosworth 	 	PS04B 	 	CR-3L 3.0 V10 	
21 	Zsolt Baumgartner 	Minardi Cosworth 	 	PS04B 	 	CR-3L 3.0 V10 	
Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions 	Test Drivers for Free Practice Sessions
35 	Anthony Davidson 	Lucky Strike BAR Honda 	 	006 	 	RA004E 3.0 V10 	
37* 	Björn Wirdheim 	Jaguar Racing 	 	R5 	 	CR-6 3.0 V10 	
38* 	Ryan Briscoe 	Panasonic Toyota Racing 	 	TF104B 	 	RVX-04 3.0 V10 	
39 	Robert Doornbos 	Jordan Ford 	 	EJ14 	 	RS2 3.0 V10 	
40 	Bas Leinders 	Minardi Cosworth 	 	PS04B 	 	CR-3L 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/engages.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)
** Wirdheim and Briscoe could not got to drive any single lap Friday training sessions. Teams confirmed it as a reason for not driving the drivers that they had a limited number of tires for very wet weather, and were therefore not sufficient for the cars of the third drivers.'Practice 2 Report - Schumacher tops list in rain soaked day', Grandprix.com, (Grandprix, 2004), https://www.grandprix.com/races/japanese-gp-2004-practice-2-report-schumacher-tops-list-in-rain-soaked-day.html, (Accessed 2/11/2021)
==Practice Overview==
===Friday Practice===
===FP1===
Felipe Massa lost control of his Sauber on his late flying lap and crashed gently into the barriers at the Degner Curve. Mark Webber tested a Jaguar's new RB5 chassis.'Japan GP Free Practice: Jaguar', Pitpass.com, (Pitpass, 2004), https://www.pitpass.com/22559/Japan-GP-Free-Practice-Jaguar, (Accessed 2/11/2021)
===Practice Results===
The full practice results for the are outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	FP1 	 	FP2 	
No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Pos. 	Time 	Pos.
1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:47.906 	1 	1:45.388 	1
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:49.846 	3 	1:46.874 	4
3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:53.517 	8 	1:50.060 	13
4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:55.632 	12 	1:49.736 	12
Source:'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - PRACTICE 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/practice-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)
==Qualifying==
===Sunday Qualifying===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Time 	Gap
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Q1 	Q2 	Gap
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:38.397 	1:33.542 	—
2 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:38.864 	1:34.032 	+0.490s
3 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	1:39.710 	1:34.571 	+1.029s
4 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	1:40.135 	1:34.897 	+1.355s
5 	9 	Jenson Button 	 	1:41.423 	1:35.157 	+1.615s
6 	16 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:37.716 	1:35.213 	+1.671s
7 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:40.151 	1:36.136 	+2.594s
8 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	1:41.126 	1:36.156 	+2.614s
9 	7 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:41.857 	1:36.274 	+2.732s
10 	17 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:40.029 	1:36.420 	+2.878s
11 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	1:42.056 	1:36.663 	+3.458s
12 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	1:41.517 	1:36.820 	+3.278s
13 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	1:44.370 	1:37.653 	+4.111s
14 	15 	Christian Klien 	 	1:42.054 	1:38.258 	+4.716s
15 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:41.001 	1:38.637 	+5.095s
16 	18 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	1:42.434 	1:41.953 	+8.411s
17 	19 	Timo Glock 	 	1:43.682 	1:43.533 	+9.991s
18 	20 	Gianmaria Bruni 	 	1:45.415 	1:48.069 	+14.527s
NC 	21 	Zsolt Baumgartner 	 	— 	— 	—
NC 	12 	Felipe Massa 	 	1:41.707 	— 	—
Source:'Japan 2004: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)'2004 Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2004/races/769/japan/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 7/12/2019)
*Bold indicates their best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
** Baumgartner started the race from the pitlane.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	53 	1:24:26.985 	1 	10
2 	4 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	53 	+14.098s 	2 	8
3 	9 	Jenson Button 	 	53 	+19.662s 	5 	6
4 	10 	Takuma Sato 	 	53 	+31.781s 	4 	5
5 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	53 	+37.767s 	11 	4
6 	6 	Kimi Räikkönen 	 	53 	+39.362s 	12 	3
7 	3 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	 	53 	+55.347s 	13 	2
8 	11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	53 	+56.276s 	7 	1
9 	12 	Felipe Massa 	 	53 	+1:29.656 	19 	
10 	7 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	9 	
11 	16 	Jarno Trulli 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	6 	
12 	15 	Christian Klien 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	14 	
13 	18 	Nick Heidfeld 	 	52 	+1 Lap 	16 	
14 	17 	Olivier Panis 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	6 	
15 	19 	Timo Glock 	 	51 	+2 Laps 	17 	
16 	20 	Gianmaria Bruni 	 	50 	+3 Laps 	18 	
Ret 	21 	Zsolt Baumgartner 	 	41 	Spin 	20 	
Ret 	5 	David Coulthard 	 	38 	Collision 	8 	
Ret 	2 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	38 	Collision 	15 	
Ret 	14 	Mark Webber 	 	20 	Overheating 	3 	
Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)	Source:'Japan 2004: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon/classement.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Olivier Panis made his 158th and final Grand Prix start.'17. Japan 2004', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2004/japon.aspx, (Accessed 28/12/2019)
* made their 100th Grand Prix appearance as a constructor.
* 50th race for as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Fernando Alonso made his 50th Grand Prix start.
* 83rd career victory for Michael Schumacher.
** This was also a record thirteenth win of the season for Schumacher.
* claimed their 182nd win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Jenson Button secured his tenth podium finish.
*Last 1-2 finish between German drivers until the 2013 Indian Grand Prix
==Standings==
A thirteenth win of the season for Michael Schumacher left the German ace on 146 for the season, meaning just fifth in the final race of the season would take him past 150 points, a dauntingly impressive points haul. Behind, Rubens Barrichello had failed to score having already secured second in the title hunt, while Jenson Button had likewise already secured third before the battle of Japan. Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, had inched closer to ensuring that he claimed fourth, inching six clear of Juan Pablo Montoya.
In the Constructors Championship ended the weekend on 254 points for the season, resulting in a huge 138 point lead over second placed . The Anglo-Japanese squad themselves had all but guaranteed their spot as runners-up, needing to score just three points at the season finale in Brazil to beat . The French squad were hence set to finish third, while and would duel for fourth on the final day.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	146 	
2 	Rubens Barrichello 	108 	
3 	Jenson Button 	85 	
4 	Fernando Alonso 	54 	
5 	Juan Pablo Montoya 	48 	1
6 	Jarno Trulli 	46 	1
7 	Kimi Räikkönen 	37 	
8 	Takuma Sato 	31 	
9 	David Coulthard 	24 	
10 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	22 	
11 	Ralf Schumacher 	20 	
12 	Felipe Massa 	11 	
13 	Mark Webber 	7 	
14 	Olivier Panis 	6 	
15 	Antônio Pizzonia 	6 	
16 	Christian Klien 	3 	
17 	Cristiano da Matta 	3 	
18 	Nick Heidfeld 	3 	
19 	Timo Glock 	2 	
20 	Zsolt Baumgartner 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	244 	
2 	 	116 	
3 	 	100 	
4 	 	74 	
5 	 	61 	
6 	 	33 	
7 	 	10 	
8 	 	9 	
9 	 	5 	
10 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:2004 Grands Prix
Category:Japanese Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Japan