Schumacher wins another F1 race

Monday, March 8, 2004 | 10:02 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

After luring back fans who had tired of Michael Schumacher's domination, Formula One officials may be fearing the worst following Sunday's Ferrari sweep in Australia.

Seeking a fifth consecutive world title, Schumacher broke the lap record by 3 1/2 seconds on his way to a fourth victory in five years at Melbourne's Albert Park. Only Rubens Barrichello, his Ferrari teammate, pushed the record six-time champion during his 71st victory.

"I knew we would be very strong -- but that strong I didn't anticipate," Schumacher said after steering Ferrari's new F2004 car to the team's 16th 1-2 in four years.

Crowds and TV viewers returned last season when Schumacher won the title only in the final race, contributing to an 8.8 percent rise in team sponsorships to $943 million in 2004, according to BusinessF1 Magazine. In 2002, spectators drifted away as Schumacher clinched the championship with six of 17 races left, and Ferrari won all but two Grands Prix.

Officials may fear a repeat. On Friday, Schumacher and Barrichello set the 10 fastest times in practice. Bernie Ecclestone, who co-owns Formula One's media rights, said their performance was a "disaster."

"Ferrari was not supposed to be this fast," Ecclestone told reporters."

Bookmakers rate McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, the 2003 runner-up, as most likely to snap Schumacher's run, followed by Barrichello and Williams duo Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher.

Bernstein had a quarter-mile run of 4.537 seconds at a top speed of 326.63 mph. Kalitta's dragster smoked the tires before half-track, turning in a 5.837 at 184.85.

Bernstein, also a winner last season in Arizona, has made a successful return from injuries sustained in a May accident in Englishtown, N.J.

"To come back out and get another win at the track where I got my first career win after being laid up and out of the car for so long is really special," Bernstein said.

Del Worsham raced to his 15th Funny Car victory, beating defending series champion Tony Pedregon with a run of 4.970 seconds at 303.78 mph. Kurt Johnson took his 28th career Pro Stock victory, edging David Connolly in 6.835 and 203.49.