The 2004 European Grand Prix (officially the 2004 Formula 1 Allianz Grand Prix of Europe) was a Formula One motor race held on 30 May 2004 at the Nürburgring. It was Race 7 of 18 in the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship. The race was noticeable due to the race strategy employed by Ferrari. Michael Schumacher extended his gap over his rivals to close to 18 seconds in the first 7 laps, when the top-runners seemed to bunch up behind Kimi Räikkönen. After his pitstop, Schumacher exited in 6th place, moved back up when others made their pitstops and cruised to a dominant victory in front of his teammate Rubens Barrichello. Takuma Sato broke the overall lap record with a time of 1:27.691 in the first qualifying session, and also took his first front row start. Schumacher and Barrichello left the champagne unsprayed after the death of former Fiat chairman Umberto Agnelli, who had died of lymphatic cancer aged 69 on 27 May. Friday drivers The bottom 6 teams in the 2003 Constructors' Championship were entitled to run a third car in free practice on Friday. These drivers drove on Friday but did not compete in qualifying or the race. Classification Qualifying Race Championship standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Constructors' Championship standings Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings. References European Grand Prix European Grand Prix European Grand Prix May 2004 sports events in Europe