This was the first year I had TV coverage of the races and I'm a big time Ferrari fan so obviously, this year was the best I've ever seen. I hope the other teams can raise their games for '05. A little competition would be nice. Just remember, it's not Ferraris' fault - Jonathan - USA
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Baumgartner, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Baumgartner, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Glock, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Leinders, MID: Sato, LID: Baumgartner, MIT: BAR, LIT: Jordan, BRa: Italy, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Best I've Seen)

2004 is not a good season for me...... Jondale - Philippines
(BD: Raikkonen, WD: Barrichello, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Klien, WR: Pantano, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Zonta, MID: Button, LID: Coulthard, MIT: BAR, LIT: Renault, BRa: Brazil, WRa: USA, 2004 Overall: Worst I've Seen)

Every race I stayed up until 2am in the morning to watch the formula one because of the time delays - Kenneth H - New Zealand
(BD: Button, WD: Baumgartner, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Glock, BT: BAR, WT: Minardi, BR: Klien, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Zonta, WTD: Leinders, MID: Button, LID: Webber, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: Monaco, WRa: Japan, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

The team with THE BEST DRIVER won in 2004 and our hearts also. Keep going SCHUMI we luv u. SCHUMI 8 time F1 CHAMPION - Shibhu - India
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Montoya, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Ferrari, WT: McLaren, BR: Klien, WR: Pantano, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Glock, MID: Button, LID: Alonso, MIT: BAR, LIT: Williams, BRa: USA, WRa: Monaco, 2004 Overall: Worst I've Seen)

This was a good season, there was some brilliant, exciting racing, but also plenty of 'follow my leader' round and round the circuit. We need more genuine racing!
I admire Ferrari, I know they have one of the biggest budgets, but the reliability and consistency they showed proved that it was used wisely, they made the most of their team and drivers.
It was great to see BAR finish as 'The Best of the Rest' I'm really looking forward to next season - Brenda B - The Netherlands
(BD: Button, WD: da Matta, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Villeneuve, BT: BAR, WT: McLaren, BR: Klien, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Wirdheim, MID: Button, LID: Webber, MIT: BAR, LIT: Williams, BRa: Monaco, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

Overall, 2004 was a very enjoyable season. Driver of the year has to go to Jenson Button, and BAR were easily the most improved team. I hope that others are able to make a big step forward during the winter to really give Ferrari a run for their money in 2005 - Martin - UK
(BD: Button, WD: Coulthard, BQ: Button, WQ: Coulthard, BT: BAR, WT: Jordan, BR: Klien, WR: Pantano, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Zonta, MID: Button, LID: Coulthard, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: China, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

It was an OK season, Ferrari did as I expected, but I was pleased BAR and Renault improved, and also Sauber. I hope next season is more entertaining - Andrew S - Australia
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Pantano, BQ: Alonso, WQ: Baumgartner, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Klien, WR: Pantano, BTD: Glock, WTD: Wirdheim, MID: Alonso, LID: M Schumacher, MIT: Sauber, LIT: , BRa: Brazil, WRa: Italy, 2004 Overall: Just Average)

Can't wait to see next season's Formula 1! - Wanmic P - Hong Kong
(BD: Button, WD: da Matta, BQ: Fisichella, WQ: Bruni, BT: BAR, WT: Toyota, BR: Klien, WR: Pantano, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Doornbos, MID: Button, LID: Montoya, MIT: BAR, LIT: Williams, BRa: United States, WRa: Italy, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

The politics and non-racing shenanigans were more interesting than most of the racing - Peter M - Australia
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Panis, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Sauber, WT: Toyota, BR: Klien, WR: Pantano, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Doornbos, MID: Button, LID: R Schumacher, MIT: BAR, LIT: Toyota, BRa: Belgium, WRa: Australia, 2004 Overall: Below Average)

Later part of the season became boring - Saurabh G - India
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Baumgartner, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Bruni, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Klien, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Glock, WTD: Briscoe, MID: Button, LID: Coulthard, MIT: BAR, LIT: Minardi, BRa: Bahrain, WRa: Monaco, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

Michael Schumacher won the first five races. After his retirement in Monaco, he had won seven races in a row. Although he had won only one race in the final five, he was still the World Champion. His teammate, Rubens Barrichello, had won two races in Italy and China and secured the runner-up in the drivers' championship, with twelve podium finishes. Ferrari had won the constructors' championship with 262 points.
BAR had improved very well, both Jenson Button and Takuma Sato finished third and eighth respectively in the overall standings. The Briton driver had secured ten podium finishes and pole in San Marino, while the Japanese driver had finished third in the US. So, both BAR drivers would look forward to the 2005 season and Jenson Button would expect to win his first ever race.
Although Renault had finished third in the constructors' championship, the team was unable to keep up their best results. Despite Jarno Trulli securing two poles in Monaco and Spa and won in Monaco, the Italian driver failed to score points after his fourth place finish in the French GP. And he was finally replaced by the Canadian driver, Jacques Villeneuve, who was the 1997 World Champion for the remaining three races. The Spanish driver Fernando Alonso did very well, he had secured three podium finishes, second in France and two third places in Australia and Hungary. Also, the Spaniard had secured the pole in France.
McLaren's driver Kimi Raikkonen had finished a disappointed season, he had suffered at least eight retirements that the nickname "Ice Man" was actually a joke. But the young Finn had won in Spa, with pole in Britain and three podium finishes, second in Britain and Brazil and third in China. His teammate David Coulthard racing in his final year for the team had also endured a disappointing season.
Williams' driver Juan Pablo Montoya was the other of the three non-Ferrari drivers that won this season. Winning in Brazil before moving to McLaren in the 2005 season. His teammate Ralf Schumacher endured a disappointing season like both McLaren drivers. The young German had crashed heavily in the US GP and missed at least six races before he was raced again. But he finished in second place in Suzuka, which was his best result of the season. He also finished second in Montreal but was later disqualified.
Great season for Sauber, the Swiss team was not only having no retirements for the second half of the season, but also finished their season best in Belgium after the retirements of both BARs and Williams, just behind McLaren's Raikkonen and both Ferrari drivers.
The fifth year of the Jaguar team was very disappointing, both drivers collided together in Brazil forcing the Aussie driver, Mark Webber, out of the race.
Despite both Toyota's drivers finishing their best race in Monaco, the Brazilian driver Cristiano da Matta had a disappointing season and was forced to leave the team. Ricardo Zonta replaced him.
Both Jordans finished their best race, with both Timo Glock and Nick Heidfeld finished seventh and eighth places respectively after the disqualification of both Williams and Toyotas in Canada.
Zsolt Baumgartner scored Minardi's first point by finishing eighth in the US GP.
However, Michael Schumacher winning the eighth title and Ferrari's winning the world champion will be very difficult in the 2005 season due to the regulation changes - R Li - Hong Kong
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Pantano, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Bruni, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Glock, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Glock, WTD: Zonta, MID: Button, LID: Webber, MIT: BAR, LIT: Jaguar, BRa: France, WRa: Monaco, 2004 Overall: Just Average)

Best & Worst of 2004 - Winners

Official 2004 F1 Season Review

Autocourse 2004 Annual

F1 World Championship Yearbook 2004

The Official Tribute To Ayrton Senna
1960 To 1994

Formula 1 Technical Analysis: 2003

Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car

The Science of
F1 Design

The Complete Book of Formula One: All Cars and Drivers Since 1950

Race Car Chassis:
Design and Construction

Inner Speed Secrets:
Race Driving Skills, Techniques, and Strategies

Going Faster: Mastering
the Art of Race Driving

more Auto Magazines

more Formula 1 Titles

more Race Driving Titles

more Race Car Design Titles

Ayrton Senna

Past Formula 1 Drivers

Well Gents, I cannot see the comments from bored people or from "saurkraut hater". The season was a good one seeing good fights even for the last place. In my opinion was better than last year regardless boring Ferrari domination.
Most of You gentlemen blame Ferrari destroying the F1, but NONE of you blame the other teams (Williams, McLaren, RENAULT ....) for inability to put the money in the right place. The OTHERS prefer to point the fingers (like most of you also) to Ferrari boring domination. Really ??????
Did someone blame Bernie or Max for sporting impotence? They got the money but they didn't make it. Where are the good British people when this F1 destroyer decides to shave the Silverstone but he went so fast for China and Dubai? Money be cause the money is all about. HOW MUCH Mister Eclestone? I mean DOLLARS Sir? I think England right now has their own Cat Steves. How much of the revenue was handled to all teams? And Ferrari is BORING > YEAHH.
Who challenge Schummy? Mantoya, David, Jacques,??? Sorry Was Button, Kimmy and Fernando.
Last Mantoya statement was Michael can be beaten. SHUT UP and drive or put the money on it. Too bad for Williams when they realised they need a driver not an attitude.
So... How was your day Gentlemen? Best regards - Marian - Romanian living in USA
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Montoya, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Ferrari, WT: McLaren, BR: Klien, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Zonta, WTD: Glock, MID: Button, LID: Montoya, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: Europe, WRa: United States, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

It was hard to decide which was the worst team between Jaguar and Toyota, but with the budget that they have Toyota was a shame!
I think 2005 will be a better season, but I still think Ferrari will dominate - Andre B - Brazil
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Baumgartner, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Baumgartner, BT: Ferrari, WT: Toyota, BR: Klien, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Doornbos, MID: Barrichello, LID: R Schumacher, MIT: Sauber, LIT: Toyota, BRa: Italy, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Just Average)

This season was below average but the worst season I have seen because I have only watched 2 full seasons (2003,2004). What made it boring was the dominance of Shumi and Ferrari, and Ferrari winning all but 3 races.
Also with Williams and McLaren not being very competitive made it pretty boring too and Minardi being even further off the pace but at least they were able to come away with 1 point.
What made it good was the fight between Renault and BAR-Honda especially because BAR is my favourite team and took a brilliant 2nd place in the championship and coming so close on so many occasions of winning their very first GP and the only thing coming in there being Ferrari.
All in all it was not a very exiting season but I hope to have a much closer and much more exiting season next year. Hope BAR win next year - Mark B - Australia
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Bruni, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Baumgartner, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Klien, WR: Bruni, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Doornbos, MID: Button, LID: Raikkonen, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: Belgium, WRa: Brazil, 2004 Overall: Below Average)

We are witnessing history created here, I think we are fortunate to see this. What was commendable this season was the ability of Ferrari to adapt to the changes made to slow them down, not even mentioning the Bullet-proof reliability.
Michael showed this year that he's human and can make mistakes, but the trouble here is that he makes mistakes when there is no pressure on him. Once he cruised to his 7th Drivers Crown, he lacked motivation to compete.
Yes we saw BAR & Renault challenge the Ferrari. They made improvements & progress and were in the limelight-podium finishes but I guess its because McLaren & Williams trying to do something radical to stop Ferrari. The BAR & Renault were still quite off the race pace approx.1.4secs than Ferrari which was the same gap in 2003.
I'm looking forward for McLaren jumping back in the frame, where they belong, to challenge the Ferrari only if Juan doesn't knock off Kimi on the track - Kapel - India
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Klien, BQ: Trulli, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Ferrari, WT: Jaguar, BR: Bruni, WR: Pantano, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Briscoe, MID: Button, LID: Montoya, MIT: BAR, LIT: Toyota, BRa: Italy, WRa: San Marino, 2004 Overall: Best I've Seen)

Another season gifted to M Schumacher. Boring as all hell - Julian M - Australia
(BD: Button, WD: Pizzonia, BQ: Webber, WQ: Barrichello, BT: Ferrari, WT: Jordan, BR: Klien, WR: Bruni, BTD: Briscoe, WTD: Leinders, MID: Sato, LID: Coulthard, MIT: BAR, LIT: Williams, BRa: Brazil, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Below Average)

I thought the year was summed up nicely by the formation lap before the French Grand Prix - Tom H - USA
(BD: Button, WD: R Schumacher, BQ: Trulli, WQ: Alonso, BT: BAR, WT: Ferrari, BR: Glock, WR: Klien, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Wirdheim, MID: Button, LID: M Schumacher, MIT: BAR, LIT: Ferrari, BRa: Belgium, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

2004 was boring, with Ferrari dominating, it was good for Ferrari, but horrible for TV watchers, sponsors - LN M - USA
(BD: Montoya, WD: da Matta, BQ: Montoya, WQ: Bruni, BT: Ferrari, WT: Jaguar, BR: Glock, WR: Bruni, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Briscoe, MID: Button, LID: Alonso, MIT: BAR, LIT: Williams, BRa: Belgium, WRa: Canada, 2004 Overall: Below Average)

Since race 4 or so, this season has only been about how far Ferrari/Schumacher would win by and who might finish 3rd - yawn - Byron F - Australia
(BD: Button, WD: Coulthard, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Klien, WR: Bruni, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Leinders, MID: Button, LID: Coulthard, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: Brazil, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Worst I've Seen)

This season and the overall decline of my interest is due to Ferrari. They are just too good and deservedly so, it is up to the other teams to catch up to Ferrari, Ferrari has done the job that they should do, not for fans to just blame them for the poor showing of the sport.
I do not know what the changes for next year will bring but I do not have high hopes.
F1 needs changes, let Ferrari sell their cars to the smaller teams and let us see how the competition compares - Steven P - Australia
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Pantano, BQ: Button, WQ: Baumgartner, BT: Ferrari, WT: Jaguar, BR: Klien, WR: Pantano, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Doornbos, MID: Sato, LID: Alonso, MIT: BAR, LIT: Jaguar, BRa: Italy, WRa: Spain, 2004 Overall: Below Average)

Looking forward to next season. Juan Pablo and Kimi at McLaren should be explosive..... Webber is going to be a contender for sure. I rate the guy high.
Button, well lets hope his motivation remains. Sato might take the reigns.
Sad to see Jaguar go.
Lets hope the teams have reasonable challenges for Ferrari by the time they get to Melbourne.
2005 must watch out for Webber, Juan, Kimi, Alonso and definitely Fisichella.
Have to have a poll asking 'How greedy is Ecclestone???' - Jason D - Australia
(BD: Button, WD: Baumgartner, BQ: Webber, WQ: Klien, BT: BAR, WT: Toyota, BR: Bruni, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Leinders, MID: Button, LID: R Schumacher, MIT: BAR, LIT: Toyota, BRa: Belgium, WRa: Australia, 2004 Overall: Just Average)

It was a hard choice between D.C and M.S. for least improved driver because I don't think M.S. has much room to improve and D.C. finished the season about where he has finished the last few seasons. D.C. has the car to at least start near the front, Kimi proved that, I would have had more sympathy for D.C. if he had had as much trouble as Kimi with blown engines and parts falling off,etc, but he just motored around mid-pack and didn't do much, so he was not pushing the car to the limit.
I hope he finds a ride and some motivation for next year, because he is one of the last gentlemen on the grid - Jeff S - USA
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Klien, BQ: Barrichello, WQ: Baumgartner, BT: Ferrari, WT: Toyota, BR: Glock, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Wirdheim, MID: Button, LID: Coulthard, MIT: BAR, LIT: Toyota, BRa: Belgium, WRa: Monaco, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

Hoping to see a great fight between Ferrari, McLaren n Williams but it didn't materialise... Ferrari win it again with ease...
Although I am a fan of the Prancing Horse team, I still hope to see a lot of great races... Instead, F1 fans are fed up with Schuey leading all the way... Just hoping that we can see some action next year instead of team Scuderia winning everything with ease... Fred - Malaysia
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Heidfeld, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Bruni, BT: Ferrari, WT: Toyota, BR: Klien, WR: Glock, BTD: Zonta, WTD: Doornbos, MID: Fisichella, LID: Massa, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: France, WRa: Brazil, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

Some choices aren't really choices ...
Worst 3rd driver, for example: We didn't see that much from Mr. Doornbos or Mr. Lenders (actually, his Name spells Leinders, btw).... That's fixed now thanks but Leinders was testing for Minardi on Friday since San Marino! - Ed
Or Best Race: How should we know, given the TV coverage concentrating on the hairs in someone's ears? ...
the easiest choices are obvious: Worst Team, Best team, Best Driver, ... yawn.
Another easy choice is the Worst Race: Monaco, because it isn't a race, it's trying not to damage your car while going round.
I'd like to see some influence on this given to TV viewers, just like in many current TV shows, where the audience has a say who's to go and who's to stay ;-) - Soeren M - Germany
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Sato, BQ: M Schumacher, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Klien, WR: Baumgartner, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Leinders, MID: Button, LID: R Schumacher, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: Belgium, WRa: Monaco, 2004 Overall: Best I've Seen)

Good job Ferrari. Once again outclassed everyone else. Let's hope for a more competitive championship next year although I fear that we may be watching the unfolding of a joke - Savvas - Greece
(BD: M Schumacher, WD: Bruni, BQ: Trulli, WQ: Glock, BT: Ferrari, WT: Minardi, BR: Baumgartner, WR: Klien, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Wirdheim, MID: Button, LID: Coulthard, MIT: BAR, LIT: Williams, BRa: Italy, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Just Average)

If you ignored the Ferraris it was a pretty good season - Sinbad - Australia
(BD: Button, WD: Villeneuve, BQ: Webber, WQ: Coulthard, BT: Ferrari, WT: Toyota, BR: Klien, WR: Bruni, BTD: Davidson, WTD: Leinders, MID: Button, LID: M Schumacher, MIT: BAR, LIT: McLaren, BRa: Germany, WRa: Hungary, 2004 Overall: Above Average)

Best and Worst of the 2004 Formula 1 Season - Voter's Comments

Best and Worst of the 2004
Formula 1 Season - Voter's Comments