11.07.2004 After his pitstop strategy helped see off the challenge from Kimi Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher drove his Ferrari to a straightforward EIGHTIETH GRAND PRIX victory: BRITISH GRAND PRIX REPORT AND RESULT

Michael Schumacher went from a four-stop strategy in France to a two stop strategy in Britain, both seeing him emerge the victor, the German superstar taking win number 80 around the Silverstone circuit, the third time he has stood on the top step of the British rostrum in his F1 career.

Kimi Raikkonen shot into the lead as soon as the lights went out, closely followed by Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button. The Finn instantly pulled away pulling out over a three second lead on the opening lap.

Early stops for Alonso, Barrichello and Gene, were followed a lap later by David Coulthard, the Scot actually running one lap lighter than his teammate, who entered the pits on lap twelve. Handing the lead to Michael Schumacher as Button’s BAR and Montoya’s Williams joined the Finn in pitlane.

Raikkonen tried desperately to pass the BAR of Takuma Sato while Michael Schumacher put in the fastest lap of the race on lap thirteen. The McLaren passed the BAR but Schumacher’s time was two seconds quicker over the course of the lap before he pitted on lap 15.

The Ferrari driver’s efforts paid off and he rejoined ahead of Raikkonen, keeping the lead of the British GP.

Olivier Panis, who was forced to start from the back of the grid after balking Felipe Massa in qualifying, became the first retirement on lap 18, his Toyota grinding to a halt on the side of the circuit after the extinguisher went off.

Once again Giancarlo Fisichella was on a different pit stop strategy to most of his rivals, the Sauber driver starting from the back of the grid after an engine change and after his first stop, the Italian was sitting in eighth place.

The battle at the front continued with Kimi Raikkonen refusing to let the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher get away from him, but the German was on a two stop strategy to Kimi’s three and came out in front of the Finn once again.

Then, on lap 41, Jarno Trulli was involved in a heavy shunt at the exit of Bridge, thankfully the driver is okay, but the safety car was out and several drivers took the opportunity to pit for the final time. This set the stage for an exciting battle in the final fifteen laps but it was a battle that Michael won.

Kimi Raikkonen was a pleasing second for McLaren, with Rubens Barrichello pipping Jenson Button for the final podium position.

Juan Pablo Montoya was fifth followed by the Sauber of Giancarlo Fisichella after a brilliant drive from the back of the grid. David Coulthard and Mark Webber rounded out the top eight.