25.04.2004 Michael Schumacher quickly dispensed with the initial challenge posed by Jenson Button & strolled to his fourth win in four races AT IMOLA

Four races four wins, as Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro and Michael Schumacher continues to dominate the 2004 F1 World Championship.

Rubens Barrichello had a tough afternoon in traffic but managed to bring home three valuable points with a hard fought drive to sixth.

Most of the excitement came on the opening lap. Jenson Button set off at a terrific pace from pole position leaving the rest of the field behind, led by Michael. The German came under pressure from Montoya, the two men bumping wheels at Tosa.

Meanwhile Barrichello nearly collided with Ralf Schumacher, losing momentum and two places as he was forced to run wide. Behind Montoya came Sato, Ralf, Barrichello, Trulli, Webber, Alonso and Da Matta.

Having struggled with lap of grip, Michael closed right up to the leader on lap 4 as his Bridgestone tyres reached temperature. On lap 8, Montoya was the first front runner to pit, most of the field opting for a three stop strategy.

Button came in on lap 9, allowing Michael to put in a couple of very quick laps before refuelling on lap 11. He had carved out enough of an advantage to take the lead when he rejoined, and remained in the lead from then on, even during his remaining two pit stops on laps 27, when he led by 18 seconds and 46. Barrichello had made his first stop one lap before his team-mate and he now ran fifth behind Ralf and ahead of Alonso.

The Brazilian made his second pit stop on lap 28, and he would have got out ahead of Ralf, except that the Williams driver baulked him in the pit lane. Barrichello closed on Trulli but was unable to get past. He made his final stop on lap 43 and the Ferrari man was promoted back to sixth when Ralf spun after colliding with Alonso on lap 50. The race order remained unchanged at the front with Michael, Button and Montoya stepping onto the podium after 62 laps, the remaining points go to Alonso, Trulli, Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher and Raikkonen.

With a perfect score of 40, Michael Schumacher extends his lead in the Drivers’ championship with team-mate Barrichello second on 24, just one point clear of Button.

In the Constructors’ classification, Ferrari has 64 points, over twice as many as its closest rival, Renault who are on 31, with BAR-Honda and BMW-Williams both on 27.