04.04.2004 THREE WINS OUT OF THREE THIS YEAR FOR MICHAEL SCHUMACHER AS HE LEADS OUT A FERRARI 1-2 AT THE FIRST EVER BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX

Three races, three wins, a couple of one-two finishes and a 29 point lead over its closest rival in the Constructors Championship. This is Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's tally as it heads back to Europe after the Bahrain Grand Prix brought the curtain down to end the first run of three races in the 2004 World Championship.

Starting from the front row of the grid, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello completed dominated the 57 lap race, maintaining first and second places from start to finish apart from brief periods during the three runs of pit stops. It was win number 73 for Schumacher and 170 for the Scuderia which also recorded its 63rd one-two finish.

At the start, Michael just managed to outbrake Rubens going into Turn 1, while the Brazilian kept ahead of Montoya in the BMW-Williams. Trulli's Renault got stuck behind the Colombian, allowing Sato (BAR) and Ralf Schumacher (BMW-Williams) to get by. By lap 3, Michael led Rubens by 3.3 seconds with Montoya a further 2.4s.

On lap 7, Ralf Schumacher spun after hitting Sato and had to pit for repairs. Trulli passed Sato. Raikkonen retired the McLaren-Mercedes on lap 8, with flames coming from the back of the car. Michael made his first pit stop on lap 9, while one lap later Barrichello came in. A problem with the pit stop procedure cost the Brazilian precious seconds and then he almost collided with Trulli in pit lane.

At this point, the two BARs of Sato and Button were briefly in the lead. Michael retook the lead when Button pitted on lap 12, and the Ferrari was now 10 seconds clear of his team-mate. Sato hit a kerb and had to pit for a new nose on lap 17, letting Button into fifth.

The race leader made his second stop on lap 24, again promoting Barrichello to thee lead, until he too came in three laps later. Behind them at this point are Montoya, Trulli, Button and Coulthard.

When Montoya pitted on lap 39, Button moved up to third and after the Englishman's stop on lap 40, he finally got ahead of Trulli to go fourth. Lap 41 and Michael made his third and final visit to pit lane with Rubens doing the same on lap 43. Montoya then began to slow and let Button through to third on lap 49.

Apart from Montoya gradually dropping down the field, the order then remained unchanged to the flag. Michael thus took the win, sharing the podium with Rubens and Button. The rest of the points went to Trulli, Sato, Alonso, Ralf Schumacher and Webber.