2004 Monaco Grand Prix

Previous race

Schumacher dominated the Spanish Grand Prix despite a defective exhaust, winning with Barrichello second. Trulli took third — Montoya retired with brake problems, and both McLarens finished well outside the points, a lap down.

Practice

Four practice sessions were held across Thursday and Saturday. Schumacher was fastest in all four, setting a Monaco circuit record of 1:14.014 in the final session, prompted by a quick lap from Trulli. Mark Webber suffered an engine failure in the final practice session and carries a ten-place grid penalty; Ralf Schumacher also incurs a ten-place penalty after his engine failed in Thursday’s first session.

The Bridgestone tyres are considered inferior to the Michelin rubber at Monaco. In the weeks before the race, Bridgestone worked with Ferrari on a soft compound capable of a fast single qualifying lap and strong opening laps. After Schumacher’s soft-tyre practice times were set on a slippery track, Ferrari and the other Bridgestone teams reverted to hard tyres.