Schumacher Wins Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

Topics:  Australian Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher

Voice of America
March 7, 2004

Six-time world champion auto racer Michael Schumacher of Germany has won the season-opening Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Schumacher finished Sunday's race at Albert Park in one hour, 24 minutes, 15.757 seconds.  It was his 71st career win.

Schumacher's Ferrari teammate, Rubens Barrichello of Brazil, came in second, 13.6 seconds off the lead.

In third place was Renault's Fernando Alsonso, nearly 35 seconds behind Barrichello.  Schumacher's younger brother, Ralf and Williams teammate Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia were fourth and fifth, more than one minute off the winning pace.

Defending champion, David Coulthard of Britain was eighth behind the wheel of his McLaren.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.