Back in 2004, Formula One paid its maiden visit to China as expansion towards Asia kept gaining momentum in the sport. Having started from pole, Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello went on to win the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix ahead of BAR-Honda's Jenson Button and McLaren-Mercedes' Kimi Raikkonen. This was the Brazilian’s second victory on the trot after he had led team-mate Michael Schumacher home at Monza two weeks earlier. Rubinho would have to wait for five years and a 2009 European Grand Prix win with Brawn GP before returning to the top step of the podium.
