German Grand Prix 2004 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Michael Schumacher dominated the German Grand Prix with an emotional victory at Hockenheim, claiming his eleventh win from twelve races on home soil to edge closer to clinching his seventh world championship. The German controlled the race from pole position, leading every lap in front of his passionate home fans as the F2004 once again proved unstoppable. Jenson Button delivered another strong performance for BAR-Honda in second, while Fernando Alonso completed the podium for Renault in third place.

The victory was particularly sweet for Schumacher, who raced under the shadow of his brother Ralf's continuing recovery from his Indianapolis crash. The elder Schumacher drove with characteristic precision, managing the high-speed Hockenheim circuit expertly while extending his championship lead to an insurmountable margin. Button's second place continued his impressive consistency, the Englishman securing his sixth podium from twelve races to firmly establish himself as third in the championship behind the two Ferraris. Alonso's third place gave Renault further encouragement for their 2005 title challenge.

Schumacher's Hockenheim triumph meant he needed just one more point to clinch the championship at the next race in Hungary, his dominance so complete that the title would be secured with four races still remaining. The German's home victory delighted the Hockenheim crowd, who celebrated their hero's march toward a record-breaking seventh world championship. Ferrari's eleventh win from twelve starts represented the most dominant season performance in modern Formula 1 history.