Jenson Button's first ever pole position in Imola held out some promise that what has passed for racing this season, would take a decidedly different look once the green fell on Ferrari's home track. The promise held, for nine laps, then the race took on all the excitement of watching paint dry, Ferrari red paint.
It became obvious the Button qualifying performance was in no small way assisted by a light fuel load as evidenced by the early stop. He entered the pits one second in front of Michael Schumacher who responded with two of the races fastest laps to that point. The quick laps and an eight second stop on lap 11 translated to a 5 second lead that Schumacher never relinquished, and went on to post his fourth victory of the year, followed by Buttons third straight podium finish and his best ever placing.
Next on the schedule is Circuit de Cataluyña for the Spanish Grand Prix in two weeks (May 9).
1 M Schumacher Ferrari 1:26:19.670
2 J Button BAR + 9.702
3 JP Montoya Williams + 21.617
4 F Alonso Renault + 23.654
5 J Trulli Renault + 36.216
6 R Barrichello Ferrari + 36.683
7 R Schumacher Williams + 55.730
8 K Raikkonen McLaren + 1 lap
9 G Fisichella Sauber + 1 lap
10 F Massa Sauber + 1 lap
11 O Panis Toyota + 1 lap
12 D Coulthard McLaren + 1 lap
13 M Webber Jaguar + 1 lap
14 C Klien Jaguar + 2 laps
15 Z Baumgartner Minardi + 4 laps
16 T Sato BAR + 6 laps
Not Classified
17 N Heidfeld Jordan + 14 laps (Transmission)
18 C Da Matta Toyota + 30 laps (Spin)
19 G Bruni Minardi + 40 laps (brakes)
20 G Pantano Jordan + 56 laps (hydraulics)
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