Ferrari Seize Front Row for Championship Bid
By Ferrari Press Release
August 14 2004
Team Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello will start tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix from 1st and 2nd positions respectively after this afternoon’s qualifying sessions.
Michael Schumacher claimed his 62nd pole position today bringing him within three poles of the late Aryton Senna's record. Teammate Rubens Barrichello will start along side him making it an all-Ferrari front row. This bodes well for the team's hopes of securing their record-breaking sixth straight Constructors Championship tomorrow. The Hungarian Grand Prix has never been won from less than a third place start. That position will be occupied by BAR-Honda's Takuma Sato.
Saturday, Qualifying 1:
| Driver | Position | Best Time |
| M. Schumacher | 2 | 1:19.107 |
| R. Barrichello | 1 | 1:18.436 |
Saturday, Qualifying 2:
| Driver | Position | Best Time |
| M. Schumacher | 1 | 1:19.146 |
| R. Barrichello | 2 | 1:19.323 |
Michael Schumacher (Driver):
"That was a good lap, although as a racing driver you always feel you could do better. Rubens did a fantastic pre-qualifying lap, but I was not too worried as we had both been very close in the morning. The new Bridgestone tyre possibly gave us an advantage and along with Shell, they have given us a big push, helping us to pick up performance. I am not so surprised at the grid: we expected BAR and Renault to be competitive, even if I am surprised McLaren is a bit further back, but maybe they have a different strategy. Even though it is cooler than usual here, tomorrow will be a tough race as this track requires a lot of work at the wheel, the cars slide a lot and the bumps make it unpredictable. It is hard work, but that is what we train for and I am looking forward to it. The fact that we can win the Constructors' title tomorrow will have no affect on the way we tackle this race."
Rubens Barrichello (Driver):
"My pre-qualifying was very good and my qualifying was good. I experienced a bit more understeer than we had expected which cost me time in the second sector. I knew it could have gone either way between me or Michael, so in a way it is disappointing not to have got pole, but Michael drove a perfect lap. This has to be the worst 'P2' of the year as starting on the dirty side of the track is really dirty here. Nevertheless, I am optimistic that I can have a good race tomorrow."
Ross Brawn (Technical Director):
"Both drivers worked really effectively with their engineers to get their cars well balanced. The F2004 is a very good car but much of the credit for this result must go to the new Bridgestone tyres, which worked very well and constitute a good step forward. Having struggled at this track last year, today's result is something of a reward."
Jean Todt (General Director):
"We knew we had a competitive package and this result confirms it. The F2004 appears to be very well balanced, the Bridgestone tyres were exceptional over a single lap, having performed very well over longer runs in free practice and, once again, Shell has provided fuel and lubricants that are up to the job. During qualifying, there were a few worrying moments as far as the weather was concerned, as a few drops of rain appeared, but in the end it all went well with no outside factors affecting the result."
"An all-red front row proves that our preparation work and efforts this weekend are going in the right direction. Now we have to tackle the final and most important part. We know a dream is within our grasp tomorrow afternoon, but we are equally aware that seventy laps of this track is a very tough challenge. We will tackle it with passion and determination as usual. Today's performance is a nice way to remember our founder on the sixteenth anniversary of his death. The Commendatore would have been happy to see two red cars heading the field. Under the guidance of President Montezemolo we have the responsibility of continuing to move forward with the legend that is Ferrari."
Saturday, Free Practice 3:
| Driver | Position | Best Time | Laps |
| M. Schumacher | 1 | 1:20.216 | 10 |
| R. Barrichello | 5 | 1:20.830 | 12 |
Saturday, Free Practice 4:
| Driver | Position | Best Time | Laps |
| M. Schumacher | 2 | 1:19.747 | 18 |
| R. Barrichello | 3 | 1:19.768 | 10 |