Italian Grand Prix 2004 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Rubens Barrichello claimed an emotional victory at Monza, dominating the Italian Grand Prix from pole position to secure his first win of the season in front of the passionate tifosi. The Brazilian controlled the race from start to finish, leading every lap as Michael Schumacher finished second to complete Ferrari's eighth one-two result. Jenson Button claimed third for BAR-Honda, while Barrichello's long-awaited triumph sparked jubilant celebrations from the Ferrari faithful who had waited all season to see the Brazilian finally stand on the top step of the podium.

The victory marked a rare occasion where team orders didn't prevent Barrichello from winning, the Brazilian freed to race without constraints after Schumacher's championship had already been secured. Starting from pole, Barrichello judged the race perfectly, managing his tires expertly while controlling the pace at Ferrari's spiritual home. Schumacher followed contentedly in second, happy to support his teammate's triumph after clinching his seventh title at Hungary. The passionate Monza crowd celebrated wildly as Ferrari secured another one-two, their season-long dominance continuing even as Barrichello finally earned his first win of 2004.

Barrichello's Monza triumph provided an emotional high point in what had been a frustrating season playing second fiddle to Schumacher's record-breaking campaign. The Brazilian's pole-to-flag victory demonstrated his speed when given equal opportunity, though his single win compared to Schumacher's twelve underlined their respective roles within Ferrari. Button's third place secured his third position in the championship, while Ferrari's eighth one-two finish of the season highlighted their overwhelming constructor dominance. Two races remained in Formula 1's most one-sided championship battle.