The 14th Grand Prix 2004 : Grand Prix of Belgium - comment F1,Formule 1, construct, konstrukce

The 14th Grand Prix 2004 : Grand Prix of Belgium - comment

L.Pecháček | 29.8.04 | Komentáře - L.Pecháček 2004

F1 comments - L.Pecháček

This is the longest and most difficult track in the F1 Championship. It is especially damanding for brakes and tyres. Drivers appreciated its modifications at so called bus stop and pitstop approach as well as new surface. However, the rain turned all plans into a mess, affecting the Friday's practice and mainly both Saturday qualifications. Räikkönen with his McLaren became a surprising winner. Even though they have done significant progress in the last races, not always they were able to keep up to the finish. This time they succeeded - first time this season. Michael Schumacher, next to him on the grid, needed two points more than the second man of the classification Barrichello. That would ensure the seventh world champion title for him. But he did not do well at the start. He seemed to have a full tank and harder tyres to stay on the track as long as possible. He slumped behind both Renaults and later also Coulthard and Montoya. The beginning of the race was marked by a collision of 4 cars after the horizon after Eau Rouge and elimination of Sato, Weber, Pantano and Bruni. Obviously Michelin could not match up to Bridgestone this time. It was a cause to drop out for Alonso, Button and Montoya. It was just Räikkönen who did surprisingly well with them. He remained calm even after the safety car was deployed three times when the cars got together. Michael did not attack him to avoid unnecessary risk and Kimi kept his first position until the finish. Schumacher scored 8 points and Barrichello 6 - which was exactly the difference he needed. Although this was the second time he did not win this season, he gained his seventh World Champion title! There is no way how 40 points losing Barrichello could get over him. The 14th Grand Prix has been definitely the most interesting and thrilling this year. There are another 4 GPs. Both the individual and Constructors' Championship winners have been decided. Therefore the most interesting we may expect now is the battle of Renault, BAR, Williams and McLaren. Ferrari is going to celebrate its 700 F1 starts and the titles are going to be its best decoration.