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Barrichello Wins First Chinese Grand Prix  [2004-26-September]

Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) won a historic first Chinese Grand Prix, from Jenson Button (BAR) and Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren). Barrichello had to fight for the lead with Button and Raikkonen for the entire 56 lap race on the new and impressive Shanghi circuit.

Barrichello took the lead at the start, with Raikkonen a close second. While it looked like Button had lost too much time to the leading pair, his 2 stop strategy helped him get ahead of Raikkonen who stopped 3 times.

The remaining points positions went to Fernando Alsono (Renault), Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams), Takuma Sato (BAR), Giancarlo Fissichella (Sauber) and Felipe Massa (Sauber).

Michael Schumacher had a day to forget, finishing 12th. After starting 20th on the grid, due to a spin in qualifying and an engine change, Schumacher was able to make his way through the field. He tangled with Christian Klien on lap 11 (who retired with damage to his suspension). A spin shortly after, on lap 15, delayed him further. Any chance of points was dashed when on lap 35 he suffered a left rear puncture.

In the championships, Alonso has moved ahead of the replaced Trulli into 4th, and BAR has maintained its second place ahead of Renault.

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