Michael Schumacher Wins Malaysia Grand Prix

Topics:  Malaysian Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher

Scott Bobb
March 21, 2004
Kuala Lumpur

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In Formula One auto racing, Michael Schumacher of Germany has won the Malaysian Grand Prix and, with his Ferrari team, taken an early lead in the championship points competition. Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya came in second in his Williams-BMW, while Great Britain's Jenson Button came in third in his BAR-Honda.

The second race of the Formula One season got underway under rainy skies at the Sepang track outside Kuala Lumpur.

Michael Schumacher said afterwards that the showers made for tricky going. "The beginning of the race was very tough as it was sort of unpredictable where the water is and how much is there," he said.

Schumacher nevertheless demonstrated his trademark precision and completed the 56 laps in one hour and 31 minutes at an average speed of 204 kilometers per hour.

Juan Montoya kept the Williams-BMW team's challenge alive, coming in second. And Jenson Button appeared for the first time in his career on the winners' podium, placing third.

The Formula One circuit moves to the Middle East with the next race in two weeks in Bahrain.