United States Grand Prix 2004 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Michael Schumacher delivered Ferrari's eighth victory from nine races with a dominant performance at Indianapolis, though his commanding win was overshadowed by Ralf Schumacher's horrific testing crash earlier in the week that left the Williams driver hospitalized. Rubens Barrichello completed another Ferrari one-two from pole position, while Takuma Sato claimed a career-best third place for BAR-Honda - the Japanese driver benefiting from Jenson Button's late retirement to secure his first-ever Formula 1 podium finish.

The race unfolded under the shadow of Ralf Schumacher's frightening accident during Friday testing, when a suspected tire failure sent his Williams into the wall at over 180mph. The younger Schumacher brother sustained serious injuries including concussion and a spinal fracture, his crash raising urgent questions about tire safety at Indianapolis' high-speed banking section. Michael drove with remarkable focus despite concerns for his brother, controlling the race from second on the grid after passing Barrichello at the start. The Ferrari one-two extended their points advantage while the paddock anxiously awaited updates on Ralf's condition.

Schumacher's eighth win from nine starts put him within striking distance of clinching the championship before the summer break, his points advantage now mathematically insurmountable. Sato's podium provided a rare highlight in an otherwise processional race, the enthusiastic Japanese driver celebrating emotionally after his breakthrough result. The United States Grand Prix marked another step in Schumacher's march toward his seventh world title, though Ralf's accident overshadowed the sporting action and triggered an investigation into the incident that would have major consequences the following year.