MELBOURNE, 8 March 2004 — World champion Michael Schumacher led a Ferrari parade in the park yesterday to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in a display of dominance.
With Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello following Schumacher around the Albert Park circuit, the flaming red cars crossed the line in isolated splendor to celebrate a first one-two finish since Japan 2002.
It was the German’s 71st win, fourth in Australia, and one of the more straightforward of a Formula One career that has brought him a record six titles.
“I have nothing to win any more but I just love the sport, the fighting on the circuit,” said the 35-year-old. “I want to do this and enjoy it as much as I can.
“This car goes well, we have seen that all weekend. I can now go home with two more points than I had last year after three races.”
As Stephanie Sheene, widow of the late British motorcycling champion Barry, waved the chekered flag the champion was 34.6 seconds ahead of Spaniard Fernando Alonso’s third-placed Renault.
Schumacher’s younger brother Ralf was fourth for Williams, ahead of Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya and Briton Jenson Button in a BAR.
Italian Jarno Trulli, in a Renault, and last year’s winner David Coulthard, in a McLaren, collected the remaining points.
Both were lapped by Schumacher in a race that suggested an ominous return to the Ferrari.
McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen, last year’s overall runner-up and a championship favorite, made only a brief appearance before joining the spectators as the season’s first retirement. The Finn was sluggish off the grid and skidded off at turn three after nine laps while running 12th.
While a marshal sprayed foam over the back of his smoldering car, Schumacher and Barrichello covered the miles without missing a beat. The two red cars made a smooth getaway, leaving Alonso to provide the thrills behind them as Renault picked up the mantle of Ferrari chasers from Williams and McLaren.
The Spaniard threw his car round the outside of Montoya, putting two wheels on the grass and outbraking the Colombian as he swept through from fifth on the grid to third.
Montoya was pushed back from third to seventh, triggering an aggressive fightback from the Colombian whose determination showed as he forced Button on the runoff on lap 39 as he outbraked the Briton.
Australian hopes were snuffed out on lap 29 when Jaguar’s Mark Webber, who had climbed to third place during the first round of pitstops, retired.
