Ferrari F2004

The F2004 is a highly successful Formula One racing car that was used by Ferrari for the 2004 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Rory Byrne, Aldo Costa and John Iley with Ross Brawn playing a vital role in leading the production of the car as the team's Technical Director and Paolo Martinelli leading the engine design. Heavily based on the previous season's F2003-GA,[1] the F2004 continued the run of success the team had enjoyed since 1999, winning the team's 6th straight Constructors' Championship and 5th straight Drivers' Championship for Michael Schumacher, his 7th, and final, world drivers' title in 2004. It is one of the most dominant cars in the history of Formula One. The car also brought a close to Ferrari's and Michael Schumacher's five-year domination of the sport, leaving the door open for Renault and Fernando Alonso. Ferrari used 'Marlboro' logos, except at the Canadian, United States, French and British Grands Prix.

Ferrari F2004
Ferrari F2004M
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorScuderia Ferrari
Designer(s)Ross Brawn (Technical Director)
Rory Byrne (Chief Designer)
Aldo Costa (Head of Design)
John Iley (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorF2003-GA
SuccessorF2005
Technical specifications
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre & Honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)Independent suspension, pushrod activated torsion springs
Suspension (rear)Independent suspension, pushrod activated torsion springs
Length4,545 mm (179 in)
Width1,796 mm (71 in)
Height959 mm (38 in)
EngineFerrari Tipo 053 3.0 L (183 cu in) V10 (90°) naturally-aspirated in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
TransmissionIn-house Ferrari 7-speed + 1 reverse sequential semi-automatic paddle shift with limited-slip differential
Power865 horsepower (645 kW) @ 18,300 RPM
Weight605 kg (1,334 lb)
FuelShell Fuel
LubricantsShell Lubricant
BrakesCarbon brake discs, pads and calipers
TyresBridgestone
BBS Racing Wheels : 13"
Competition history
Notable entrantsScuderia Ferrari
Notable drivers1. Michael Schumacher
2. Rubens Barrichello
Debut2004 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
2015301214
Constructors' Championships1 (2004)
Drivers' Championships1 (2004, Michael Schumacher)

Design

The car was based on the same design principles pioneered in the F2002 but taken a step further. The periscope exhausts were smaller and mounted closer to the car's centre line, the rear wing was enlarged and the rear suspension redesigned to reduce tyre wear, a major problem in the F2003-GA. The engine was designed to last a full weekend in accordance with the FIA's technical regulations for the season. As a result, the gearbox also had to be redesigned to be more resilient. The rear end aerodynamics were improved and the car featured a shorter wheelbase.[2]

Performance

The car was as successful as the equally dominant F2002, winning 15 out of 18 races, and scoring 12 pole positions including many lap records. Michael Schumacher won a single-season record of 13 races (Sebastian Vettel equaled this number in 2013) and gained a record breaking seventh World Championship, while Ferrari was a clear winner in the Constructors' Championship. The F2004 was also extremely reliable, retiring from just two races and both of these were via collisions.[3] In France, Schumacher won, beating Fernando Alonso's Renault after an innovative four stop pit strategy, such was the car's dominance.[4]

After the 2004 season the car was developed further as a testbed for 2005 and used in the first two races. Despite a podium finish in the 2005 Australian Grand Prix, the car was retired to make way for its successor, the F2005, at the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix.[5]

In all, the car scored 272 championship points in its career, but its championship in 2004 also marked the end of Ferrari's Constructors' Championship winning streak, beginning with the 1999 Formula One season.

The F2004 was used as the basis for the 2008 "Powered by Ferrari" A1 Grand Prix car.

Legacy

The fastest laps at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Nürburgring GP-Strecke, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Autodromo Nazionale Monza and Shanghai International Circuit all remain the current lap records, even though three out of these six tracks are still used in F1 as of 2019.

Michael Schumacher's son Mick drove the car at the 2019 German Grand Prix, honouring 15 years since his father's final world championship.[6]

Ferrari F2004 being presented at Ferrari Racing Day, Shanghai, 2014

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Points WCC
2004 Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro F2004 Ferrari V10 B AUS MAL BHR SMR ESP MON EUR CAN USA FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA CHN JPN BRA 262 1st
Michael Schumacher 1 1 1 1 1 Ret 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 12 1 7
Rubens Barrichello 2 4 2 6 2 3 2 2 2 3 3 12 2 3 1 1 Ret 3
2005 Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro F2004M Ferrari V10 B AUS MAL BHR SMR ESP MON EUR CAN USA FRA GBR GER HUN TUR ITA BEL BRA JPN CHN 100* 3rd
Michael Schumacher Ret 7
Rubens Barrichello 2 Ret

* 10 points scored with the F2004M

See also

References
  1. Leonardo Acerbi (2006). Ferrari: A Complete Guide to All Models. MotorBooks International. pp. 361–. ISBN 978-0-7603-2550-6. Retrieved 2 August 2013. The Ferrari F2004 looked like a logical evolution of the previous season's F2003-GA, at least as far as its exterior lines were concerned. But a more careful examination of it confirmed the new car was the result of detailed refinement, partially ...
  2. "Ferrari F2004". www.f1technical.net. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  3. "Ferrari F2004 – Remembering One of the Best Formula One Cars Ever". www.snaplap.net. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  4. "A victory built on four pit-stops". formula1.ferrari.com. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  5. "The F2005 unveiled". formula1.ferrari.com. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  6. "Mick Schumacher takes father's Ferrari F2004 for a spin". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
Awards
Preceded by
Bentley Speed 8		 Autosport
Racing Car Of The Year
2004		 Succeeded by
McLaren MP4-20
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