Formula One News — June 2004

Traditionally Renault likes to announce its drivers at the French Grand Prix and it is expected that the two current incumbents will be kept on for another season, despite recent rumours that Jarno wanted more money than Renault was willing to pay.

Ralf Schumacher is now back at his home in Austria, recovering from a heavy concussion and bruising to his back following what is believed to be the biggest accident yet recorded by the FIA data recorders. Our sources say that Ralf was subjected to something in the region of 70G.

Michael Schumacher scored his eighth win in nine races at Indianapolis (Please don't stop reading at this point!) in a race which was one of great drama, excitement and more than a little intrigue as well.

Although Zsolt Baumgartner finished three laps behind the winners, he managed to get home in eighth place.

The German press is reporting rumours that Microsoft is to become the title sponsor of the Toyota F1 team, paying as much as $40m a year. The stories have been linked to a deal involving Sony and, if true, are probably related to F1 computer games as much as the publicity involved.

Ralf Schumacher was in Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Sunday night following his high speed accident at the Speedway during the United States Grand Prix. Schumacher appears to have suffered from a puncture, probably caused by debris, and spun into the wall.

United States GP - Race Notes

United States GP - Sunday Photos

United States GP - Sunday Press Conference

United States GP - Race Results

Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis was entertaining enough but when the dust settled the result left us wondering: what does it all mean? Things were slightly clearer than mud. Red mud. Ferrari red mud.

United States GP - Saturday Photos

United States GP - Saturday Press Conference

United States GP - Qualifying Results

A rumour kicking around in the paddock at Indianapolis was that Ricardo Zonta has been signed to be Ralf Schumacher's team mate at Panasonic Toyota Racing next year.

The Formula 1 team bosses seem ever further from an agreement on changes to the technical regulations in 2005 or 2006. The team principals were due to have a meeting on Friday afternoon but it broke up after a few minutes because all those involved were unable get to the right place as the right time.

Mark Webber will be using a slightly uprated Cosworth V10 this weekend compared to the the engines of his team mate Christian Klien and the two Jordan drivers. This appeared to be causing some stress on Friday when Eddie Jordan was spotted in animated discussions with Jaguar Racing boss Tony Purnell.

British American Racing boss David Richards says that the Formula 1 teams should not be deciding on the rules of the sport.

United States GP - Practice Session 4 Report

United States GP - Practice Session 4 Results

There were rumours in the paddock at Indianapolis that Jarno Trulli and Renault may be having difficulty agreeing to new terms for the Italian's contract for 2005 and beyond.

The Royal Bank of Scotland is believed to be on the verge of signing a significant sponsorship deal with the Williams team but things have been rather complicated by the fact that the bank is being represented in F1 by Sir Jackie Stewart, who is on the board of directors of Williams's rival Jaguar Racing.

The Indianapolis Star newspaper is reporting that Bernie Ecclestone and Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Tony George have agreed to extend the original five year deal for the United States Grand Prix.

United States GP - Practice Session 3 Results