1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Montoya; 4. Barrichello; 5. Sato

However much I would like to ignore Michael Schumacher, I just can’t as he is brilliant and I feel he is setting new records that I shall not see broken in my lifetime. It is difficult to pick the next four as they all have all given motor racing a lot this year. Jenson has come of age in the car, Juan Pablo says what he thinks, Rubens is a gent and Takuma has proved that he will not be intimidated.

1. Italian GP; 2. Bahrain GP; 3. Brazilian GP

I like to see new races, even if the same people win, and so that is why Bahrain was one of my favourite Grands Prix this year. It was also one of the more exciting new circuits and, despite the red dominance there, still came up with some great racing. In Monza Antonio Pizzonia proved why he should get a drive again, and I loved Rubens winning there in a race where Ferrari did everything to trip itself up and failed miserably at the attempt! As for Brazil, at last a BMW WilliamsF1 victory for a team that is always honest about its own failings.

• Something to remember: Sunday in Japan that proved qualifying and racing can happen on the same day and give the fans what they deserve - value for money.
• Something to forget: The whole Jenson Button affair. A good driver spoiled his reputation, and despite protestations that it was nothing to do with money, no one believed this!

Roger Horton     (RH)

1. Button; 2. M.Schumacher; 3. Montoya; 4. Raikkonen; 5. Barrichello

In recent years, Michael Schumacher has always been my number one choice, but his wins this season, courtesy of a superior package, can no longer overshadow a number of sub par performances. By contrast Jenson Button has made full use of the equipment at his disposal and has driven with the calm assurance of the champion he surely will one day become. Overall a stellar year for the young Englishman despite all the politics that surrounded his thwarted defection to Williams. Montoya rescued his season by winning in Brazil but can Ron Dennis finally unlock the full potential of this brooding Columbian? Kimi pretty much did the best with what he had, whilst Rubens, as always, blew hot and cold.

1. Brazilian GP; 2. Italian GP; 3. Chinese GP

With so many tedious races this year, remembering the few that stood out was easy and of those Brazil was clearly the pick of the crop. A fight to the finish with some wonderful car control on display in the early stages. All things considered, the perfect tonic to lift the spirits after what has been, overall, a truly forgettable season.

• Something to remember: The new races in Bahrain and China, Formula One's brave new world.
• Something to forget: The seemingly endless politicking which, little by little, is destroying the sport.

Alan Baldwin     (ABa)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Raikkonen; 4. Barrichello; 5. Montoya

Schumacher more on top than ever; Button closer to that first win, Kimi impressive even when engines were blowing up.

1. Monaco GP; 2. Brazilian GP; 3. Belgian GP

The races that Ferrari didn't win. Must be a coincidence...

• Something to remember: Jarno Trulli's delight at the standing ovation he received when he walked into the press room after winning in Monaco. New races in unfamiliar surroundings.
• Something to forget: Where to begin? Ralf's accident at Indianapolis, Ford pulling the plug on Jaguar, Button's bodged attempt to exit BAR, Silverstone being axed, McLaren's start to the season...

Will Gray     (WG)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Barrichello; 4. Fisichella; 5. Pizzonia

Schumacher, or more accurately his Ferrari team, displayed exactly how to react under pressure as they put a tough 2003 behind them in spectacular style this year. Almost everyone in Atlas F1's pre-season poll predicted the German would be toppled but how wrong we all were. Button put in a stellar performance, if slightly two-faced, while Barrichello showed what he could do when he was let off the leash once Schumacher had won the title. Fisichella kept Sauber close to the top teams with a strong finish to the season and Pizzonia overcame the hoodoos of Jaguar to impress as a substitute with Williams.

1. Monaco GP; 2. Belgian GP; 3. Italian GP

Monaco was exciting because Schumacher was finally beaten and Trulli was the most popular winner in the pitlane for a long time. Belgium saw the completion of McLaren's comeback, Schumacher sailing to title victory and a load of first lap carnage while Italy was a spectacular Ferrari celebration that saw Schumacher race from last to second.

• Something to remember: The cheer of delight and relief for new winner and first Schumacher slayer Jarno Trulli as he entered the press conference room in Monaco.
• Something to forget: The endless speculation over the future of the British Grand Prix and the associated political manipulation over the long-term regulations.

David Cameron     (DC)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Raikkonen; 4. Webber; 5. Trulli

Schumacher made it look so easy that you wonder what motivates him to beat everyone every year - what ever it is, it works. Button managed over the last 18 months to turn around his reputation to such and extent that he is now seen as a genuine Championship contender - the first win didn't come, but it was so close that he could taste it. Raikkonen performed when the car did, Webber did his usual trick and getting more from a Jaguar than can be expected (and claimed his reward for next year) and Trulli was astonishing in the early part of the year until his form dropped, in the words of Mike Gascoyne, "for the inevitable reasons of Mr Briatore."

1. Italian GP; 2. Monaco GP; 3. Japanese GP

Monza showed just how astonishingly good Ferrari were this season - the wrong tyres and a spin to last place were still converted into a stunning 1-2 finish. Monaco is a highlight on the calendar even when it's a poor race, but a dramatic fight all the way between Trulli and Button had everyone on the edge of their seats, as well as giving a break from the red wave. And Japan gave everyone a taste of a potential future, as well as showing what the teams can achieve with no time when they have to.

• Something to remember: The rise and rise of BAR, bringing Honda back into the limelight after years in the wilderness.
• Something to forget: Max left and returned, Jaguar and Ford just left, Jordan are hanging on by their fingernails, and everyone else is fiddling while Formula One burns.

Dieter Rencken     (DR)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Raikkonen; 3. Barrichello; 4. Montoya; 5. Trulli

Much as I admire Jenson Button as a person and a professional, the name of F1's game is winning, and the Brit failed to do that despite a car palpably better than the best efforts of Renault, Williams and McLaren - all of whom won a grand prix during 2004. So, with Michael Schumacher, Jarno Trulli, Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello and Juan Pablo Montoya winning races, the Top Five nominated themselves. All that remained, then, was to shuffle their order, and here the German rules supreme ahead of Raikkonen, who, by just never giving up, caused a certain British journalist to ever-more nervously finger his belt from July onwards. Third on my list, by a whisker from JPM, is Barrichello, who should have won more than two events, given the Ferrari he was driving. Montoya drove a great final race for Williams in Brazil, with Trulli keeping Renault's honour in tact with a superb win at Monaco.

1. Belgian GP; 2. Italian GP; 3. Brazilian GP

For sheer excitement and spectacle, nothing beats Spa, and after the action it delivered this year - even if some was for the wrong reasons - nothing else got close. That the race and circuit proved Ferrari's infallibility, but simultaneously delivered Schumacher's seventh crown. Monza proved that traditional circuits, where track counts for more than stands, do deserve a place in the sun, whilst Brazil's weather and end-of-season atmosphere mixed perfectly with the off-track politics to provide a journalist's dream.

• Something to remember: Seeing Jenson lead from the start at Imola, even if all feelings of optimism that it would last were slaughtered within 12 laps.
• Something to forget: Renault denying they had intentions of replacing Trulli, then announcing exactly that a day later. This episode proved that corporate bullshit is alive and thriving in Formula One.

Thomas O'Keefe     (TO)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Raikkonen; 3. Alonso; 4. Button; 5. Barrichello

Michael Schumacher had more unforced errors this year than usual but Master Michael is not yet ready to be beaten. When he is beaten, it will be Raikkonen who will succeed to Michael Schumacher's number "1". Like Raikkonen, Alonso too was held back by the erratic Regie this season but his jackrabbit starts and his dicing with Button's BAR-Honda at Hockenheim show that he has truckloads of talent and flair for the future. Button, a better driver than prognosticator, had some of the best moments of his career this season, but the primmadonna in him will be his undoing. Will most podiums without winning be his epitaph? Finally, Barrichello showed more inner steel this season than at any time since his hero and countryman Senna left the scene, minimizing the whining and maximizing the winning. He should listen to his son more often: smile, you are in a Ferrari and on the podium.

1. Belgian GP; 2. British GP; 3. Monaco GP

Kimi's masterful drive at the majestic Spa track, from being hit by Massa at La Source on lap 1 to passing Michael Schumacher just before Eau Rouge, to outfoxing Michael to get a jump on the last restart, was a well-judged victory that lifted the whole sport of Formula One. Silverstone was the mirror image of Spa and hopefully a portent of what is to come next season, with Kimi qualifying on pole and, with the benefit of the Safety Car (as at Spa), Kimi in a position to catch Michael in the closing laps, the Silver Arrow coming tantalizingly close to the Ferrari in the Priory/Luffield infield complex but losing out to the Red Car by Hangar Straight. And, While Spa and Silverstone were all about muscle, Monaco was an exercise in finesse, and perfectionist Trulli put in a Master Class, dominating the weekend.

• Something to remember: Anthony Davidson, Champion of Friday practice. Watching the Ant's antics became a special treat of the race weekend - the brake discs glowing, the nose diving on turn-in, almost always topping the charts. Will someone get this kid a decent ride!
• Something to forget: Ralf Schumacher refusing to get back in the car in Shanghai after suffering a puncture and a Williams team pit stop SNAFU. Unforgivable, even taking into account his injury at Indy due to a punctured Michelin. Can you imagine Michael doing that?

Gary Emmerson     (GE)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Fisichella; 4. Barrichello; 5. Alonso

Schumacher's march to a seventh world title may well have been predictable, but his mastery behind the wheel of undoubtly the best car on the grid was nothing short of remarkable. He may have had some tough weekends to deal with after wrapping up the championship, but his domination of the opening 13 races - of which he won 12 - was a pleasure to those in red, if not the rest of the field. Button enjoyed a season even beyond his own wildest dreams, albeit without the victory he was craving, and Fisichella was a solid performer all year in the Sauber. Barrichello, second in the championship, was his consistent best for the majority of the year but is still unable to match team-mate Schumacher while Alonso continued to show his promise for Renault.

1. Monaco GP; 2. Brazilian GP; 3. Belgian GP

Schumacher was finally beaten in Monaco as Jarno Trulli claimed his first-ever Grand Prix victory after a fight to the finish with BAR's Jenson Button around the narrow streets of the principality. Schumacher's return to form was again ended in Belgium in a race full of incidents and action as Kimi Raikkonen took the chequered flag for McLaren. Juan Pablo Montoya brought the curtain down on the season with victory in his final race for Williams in Brazil.

• Something to remember: The season-ending parties in Brazil.
• Something to forget: The hangover after that night...

Pablo Elizalde     (PE)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Alonso; 4. Raikkonen; 5. Fisichella

Unless you missed the whole 2004 season, you won't need any reasons to understand why Schumacher should be on top of every list. Thirteen wins in 18 races and 148 points on his way to a seventh title say it all about his year. He drove for the best team of the field, yes, but I can't imagine any driver who would have been as dominant in his position. Button finally came of age and surprised a lot of people who thought he wasn't the real deal. Alonso did an amazing job with the difficult Renault, while Raikkonen showed his skill when his car was up to it. Fisichella drove some superb races which showed he deserves a better car.

1. Belgian GP; 2. US GP; 3. German GP

The return of Spa to the calendar was almost enough to guarantee Belgium would be on top of my list, but the event also provided some amazing racing and a non-Ferrari winner. Indy was full of drama and incidents, and we even saw Schumacher having to pass someone for the lead, a rare sight this season. Germany makes it on my list because of the quality racing provided by some drivers.

• Something to remember: Spa back on the calendar; Alonso's starts.
• Something to forget: The fact that we don't know next year's rules, next year's calendar, or how many teams will be on the grid in Australia.

Tom Keeble     (TK)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Montoya; 4. Raikkonen; 5. Sato

With an outstanding season, Michael Schumacher has to top the list: he didn't just win by having the fastest car - there were races where he really had to pull something out of the hat, like the European and Canadian events, which he won with strategy against faster Michelin runners. BAR's form gave Button a chance to shine: whilst race wins continue to elude the Briton, his podium count is a good measure of the consistency with which he has applied himself to the year. His teammate is also a top five driver for me: never knowing if Sato would be quick, or quick and off the circuit, brings the best memories of the first half of the season under Ferrari's dominance. For the same reason, Raikkonen and Montoya have to be listed: their cars were not on the pace for much of their year, but there was still always some expectation that they may be able to do something about the red menace where others could not.

1. Belgian GP; 2. Bahrain GP; 3. Chinese GP

The Belgian GP was simply the best of the season - an outstanding circuit offered action throughout the race: McLaren upset the Ferrari plan for dominance, giving hope that the season might not be all scarlet. Bahrain was an impressive new circuit, visited before the extent of Ferrari's dominance was known. China was a superb inaugral event for the country, with a circuit that Michael Schumacher just never quite got to grips with, though Rubens Barrichello picked up the Ferrari mantle and maintained their dominant form.

• Something to remember: Ralf Schumacher's crash in the US GP - the cars have come a long way since 1994.
• Something to forget: The disqualifications at the Canadian and US GPs - cars failing scrutiny after the race for changes made before qualifying seems so wrong... as does black flagging a driver for pre-race infringement, after he nearly completed the full race distance.

Richard Barnes     (RB)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Trulli; 4. Alonso; 5. Raikkonen

Michael Schumacher’s position at the head of the pack is self-evident - 2004 was a standout season, even by Schumacher’s high standards. After not scoring a podium previously in his career, Jenson Button raked in ten top three finishes during 2004, becoming a model of calm consistency and driving BAR into the ‘best of the rest’ slot. Jarno Trulli often had the beating of the more highly fancied Fernando Alonso until the Italian fell out with the Renault team. Together, the Renault pair provided some of the year’s best performances in a car that started promisingly but lost ground to the competition as the season wore on. Kimi Raikkonen had an abysmal start to the season but, as soon as the MP4/19B provided him with the necessary tools, he showed that he still has outstanding championship credentials.

1. Belgian GP; 2. British GP; 3. Brazilian GP

Belgium and Brazil both offered cracking good racing, surprise results and a welcome break from the Ferrari domination. Of all Schumacher’s victories, Silverstone was perhaps the sweetest. The ‘go slow’ pre-qualifying may have been farcical, but, in the race proper, Schumacher turned in a cool and controlled performance to win convincingly - something he’s rarely achieved at Silverstone.

• Something to remember: Michael Schumacher’s astounding consistency of performance over the first 13 races.
• Something to forget: Mark Webber and Christian Klien colliding in Jaguar’s final race.

Craig Scarborough     (CS)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Sato; 4. Massa; 5. Fisichella

Curiously. no driver really stands out for me this year - all drivers in the top teams have gone about their work to the limit of their equipment. But I did find excitement in seeing some of the drivers at the lower end of the grid, fighting hard for positions. After a tough season in 2003 and little expectation in the media of his chances in 2004, Michael Schumacher took hold of the Championship so convincingly, that it was a foregone conclusion well before the season's end. Jenson Button made a comeback after being tagged as a B-list driver - dropped by Renault and largely signed off by most. His mature and measured performances this year put him back on the A-List, but he still needs to show some raw speed through his smooth driving. His teammate Takuma Sato also reminded us what excitement an attacking driver can bring to a race. The Sauber duo had largely similar characters to the BAR pair: Giancarlo Fisichella got on with his program and delivered race finishes, while Felipe Massa went for the 'all or nothing' approach. His qualifying laps and race-opening stints made races entertaining.

1. Monaco GP; 2. British GP; 3. Belgian GP

Monaco had a Hollywood script: the favourite (Michael Schumacher) crashed out, a priceless diamond was lost in another crash (from Christian Klien's Jaguar), the japanese (Takuma Sato) laid a smoke screen to erase two other drivers from the race, and the underdog finally came good and won a race (Jarno Trulli). Britain was a race to remember, as it was an occasion when Ferrari used strategy and Schumacher's pace to beat the opposition, as well as a race that saw plenty of overtaking and incidents. Lastly, Belgium was back on the calendar and delivered a race with suspense all the way through from the first lap's crashes to the final laps that saw McLaren win a race and Schumacher the title.

• Something to remember: Williams - the most conservative team on the grid in recent years - appear with the walrus nose. I was sad to see it go, and I wonder if it will find echoes in the cars next year.
• Something to forget: Ralf Schumacher sitting unconscious in his car while the field drove around his stricken car at Indianapolis. All this talk of slowing the cars down for safety's sake seems hollow, when the marshals can't even get to the car quickly enough.

Marcel Schot     (MS)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Barrichello; 4. Sato; 5. Massa

There's no doubt about who's the king. Behind Schumacher, Button played a key part in BAR's rise. Barrichello had an excellent season, mostly picking up when his teammate had a bad day. Takuma Sato and Felipe Massa showed flashes of brilliance despite their inexperience and most definitely scored high on the entertainment scale. Most of the rest of the field disappointed in one way or another.

1. Italian GP; 2. Belgian GP; 3. Hungarian GP

Monza and Spa were the highlights of the season, because they showed things other races didn't. In Monza it was Ferrari's one-two from out of nowhere and in Spa it was Raikkonen being the only one to really fight Schumacher, and win. The Hungaroring rounds up the top three as it was one of the most crushing wins of recent years and showed exactly why Schumacher won it all again.

• Something to remember: Silverstone's first qualifying session or "how slow can you go?" Both for a good laugh and as reminder of what all those ridiculous rule changes lead to.
• Something to forget: The start of the end of Formula One marked by Bernie Ecclestone's behaviour regarding Silverstone, the demise of Jaguar and possibly Minardi and Jordan; and the now yearly ritual of throwing around the rules.

David Wright     (DW)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Barrichello; 4. Raikkonen; 5. Fisichella

Despite pre-season expectations of a close fight, Michael Schumacher was dominant for most of the season, although there were a couple of races late in the season which were not quite up to his usual (high) standard. The biggest improver of the season was Jenson Button, who took his much improved BAR to his first podium (and nine others), nearly scoring a win along the way. Rubens Barrichello continued to show he is a consistent front runner, while Kimi Raikkonen, after nearly winning the title in 2003, didn't give up - despite some early season unreliability - to win in Belgium and run fast elsewhere. Finally, Giancarlo Fisichella showed some impressive pace in the Sauber that has earned him a place at Renault for 2005.

1. Italian GP; 2. Brazilian GP; 3. Belgian GP

Early in the race, even the tifosi couldn't have foreseen a 1-2 for Ferrari at Monza. But a pair of superb comeback drives saw the impossible come true. Brazil saw changing weather, different tyres and different strategies produce a race where the order continually changed in the early running and a close finish at the end. Belgium was a spectacular race, with passes, crashes, a win for Kimi Raikkonen and a seventh World Championship for Michael Schumacher.

• Something to remember: BAR finally delivering (and how!).
• Something to forget: Renault's second half of the season, including the Trulli and Villeneuve 'affairs'.

Bruce Thomson     (BT)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Raikkonen; 3. Button; 4. Trulli; 5. Montoya

Michael Schumacher made it look effortless, and given the car he had, it may in fact have been... However, with the sort of dominance that he had it's hard to pick anyone above him, in spite of numerous miscues he made late in the season. Raikonnen made the best of what looked liked an uncompetitive prospect in the McLaren and scored a convincing victory at Spa. Button may deserve better than third in my list, but I suspect that Kimi would have done the same if not more with the same package, and Jenson, in spite of sewing up "best of the rest" in the WDC, never did manage to score his elusive first win. Trulli and Montoya both squeak in with their respective wins, although their season was certainly very inconsistent.

1. Belgian GP; 2. Monaco GP; 3. Brazilian GP

Let's face it - any race that Ferrari failed to win was rendered interesting in some way. The race at Spa was interesting on several counts. Firstly, Raikonnen won the race by the unusual expedient of actually passing other cars; and secondly, the stalemate that the race settled into with Michael Scumacher chasing Kimi was great to watch. Monaco gets second spot for me, as it ended the Ferrari winning streak in dramatic fashion and proved again that Monaco can provide some real excitement in spite of its unsuitability as a Grand Prix venue. The close finish in Brazil and Montoya's return to form, earn Brazil the final spot.

• Something to remember: Ferrari's dominance
• Something to forget: Ferrari's dominance

Michele Lostia     (ML)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Fisichella; 4. Alonso; 5. Trulli

Schumacher gets my top marks again: his level of domination isn't worth any less, even when one considers a slight drop in performance when the Championship was already in the bag. Button was probably the most consistent performer of the season and would have deserved his first victory to put the cherry on top. Similarly, Fisichella did a solid job throughout the season, employing difficult strategies that allowed him to score points in half of the races. Finally, Alonso and Trulli did a good job for Renault at different times: the Spaniard, soundly beaten by the Italian in the first half of the season, put in some fine performances when his teammate dropped off.

1. Belgian GP; 2. Italian GP; 3. US GP

Spa's return to the F1 the calendar was one of the highlights of the season, and the race did not disappoint: some great racing and a surprise winner. Monza showed the true worth of this year's Ferrari, with an incredible recovery by the two drivers. Indianapolis was full of accidents and a controversial pass for the lead.

• Something to remember: Don't underestimate Ferrari if they didn't totally dominate in the previous season!
• Something to forget: Renault's decision to give the car to Villeneuve (who, in his defense, barely tested it) rather than to Montagny.

Mark Alan Jones     (MJ)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Barrichello; 4. Raikkonen; 5. Montoya

148 points, 13 wins and a seveth world crown: Michael Schumacher was a man apart this season, leaving all the records in his wake. Ferrari were so far beyond the rest of the paddock, assesing the drivers relatively is difficult, especially for Barrichello. Jenson Button's season was stellar in an excellent BAR, downing Williams and McLaren is a noteworthy effort, even in a year when the two Brit garagistses so badly dropped the ball. Only Kimi Raikkonen grabbed my attention from Wiliams and McLaren all year, until Montoya's last stand win at Brazil. If not for Montoya's season ending win I would have picked someone else. The pace is there but the season long motivation? Racing against the Finn in 2005, Montoya will find out just who he is.

1. Belgian GP; 2. Chinese GP; 3. US GP

In an era of antiseptic stop-go circuits, Spa-Francorchamps provides the perfect counterpoint. The Belgian race itself saw exciting drives and drama throughout the field. Shanghai, as a circuit, provided a spectacle not seen before in F1, and a race which was pretty good too. In a sport that is built on its visuals, China provided that in spades. For all the criticism of IMS as a Formula One venue, it certainly put on a cracker race this year, with Takuma Sato providing a career defining moment that had everyone watching.

• Something to remember: The end of Cosworth... or is it?
• Something to forget: Ford's lack of faith in Jaguar Racing.

Marcel Borsboom     (MB)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Fisichella; 4. Alonso; 5. R.Schumacher

Apart from his end season slump, Michael Schumacher was clearly the best this year. With a record number of wins and points he was above everybody else in the field. Behind Schumacher, Button had his best season ever and it's only a matter of time before he wins his first race. Fisichella and Alonso were relatively invisible all season but at the end of the race they were always in a position to score points. Ralf Schumacher earned his place in my list because of his impressive comeback after his accident.

1. Belgian GP; 2. German GP; 3. Monaco GP

The Belgian GP had every ingredient of a good GP. A surprise winner, drama from drivers retiring from the race while on course for a podium finish, and it was the race where Michael Schumacher wrapped up the title. The other two races had good fights and were more than just a Ferrari walkover.

• Something to remember: Jarno Trulli's first win.
• Something to forget: The time it took the doctors to get to Ralf Schumacher after his crash.

Ross Stonefeld     (RS)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Heidfeld; 4. Fisichella; 5. Trulli

Michael Schumacher's performance has reached a point where we put more focus on his troubled weekends than his now customary victories. But he still wins much more than he loses, and there's a reason he carries the #1 on his car. Jenson Button is my second pick due to performing consistently in a consistently performing car and staying out of trouble, at least on the track. Likewise Nick Heidfeld, who put in solid miles for every team he's been aligned to without complaint, but unfortunately also without the pizazz that seems to go along with the breakout stars of the last few seasons. Giancarlo Fisichella comfortably outperformed yet another highly rated teammate, while Jarno Trulli - who would have been my third pick for his early season form against Alonso, including his near-perfect Monaco weekend - ended up fifth on my list due to his behaviour off the track (and potentially on it) following his falling out with Flavio Briatore and Renault.

1. Italian GP; 2. Belgian GP; 3. Monaco GP

Both the Italian and Belgian Grands Prix left us wondering who would win until the end, but Belgium loses out since the excitement seemed to come more from the reliablity issues and on-track incidents than all out racing. I must also admit a bias towards Monza, as it was my first Grand Prix experience and is now my 'home race'. From testing to the Friday paddock to qualifying from the Ascari chicane, the event gave me the full Formula One experience. Extra points to the Italian fans, not for their love of Ferrari but the respect shown to the Scuderia's rivals. Monaco was simply Monaco, though sadly we missed out what could have been a great duel between Trulli and Schumacher.

• Something to remember: For everyone who says Formula 1 is too serious, too polished, and too impressed with itself, I give you Donkey.
• Something to forget: Jarno Trulli's last lap mistake in the French Grand Prix was the opening round towards the off-track chaos that plagued the second half of the season and still hasn't settled.

Biranit Goren     (BG)

1. M.Schumacher; 2. Button; 3. Fisichella; 4. Raikkonen; 5. Trulli

Although his end of season was not very impressive, overall Michael Schumacher reigned supreme and 2004 was possibly one of his best seasons ever. Jenson Button, despite failing to score a win, was strong in almost every race, and he showed he's got both the speed and the character to become a serious contender. I'm not a fan of Giancarlo Fisichella, but he put some fantastic performances this season and displayed brilliant race craft that requires acknowledgement. Kimi Raikkonen deserves recognition for the mere fact that he never gave up - most drivers, with so many retirements, would have sunk into depression. Kimi, instead, came back to grab a strong win on one of the toughtest circuits today. Finally, Jarno Trulli had some of the best performances this season, and in a very difficult team environment.

1. Italian GP; 2. Belgian GP; 3. Monaco GP

The Italian Grand Prix was, to me, the best race of the season - without controversy, crashes, track intruders or safety cars contriving to make it entertaining. It was pure racing, and despite the 'same old' result - it was a the most worthy Ferrari 1-2 possible. The Belgian Grand Prix was extremely entertaining and offered a very popular win - likewise for Monaco. Oh, and I'm sure the Brazilian Grand Prix was just as good, but I wouldn't know that based on its horrible TV coverage!

• Something to remember: Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso duelling wheel to wheel in Germany - more of that, please!
• Something to forget: Awful television coverage that absolutely ruined some of the races this season. There are TV directors around the world who'd do a better service covering the reproduction of turtles than Grand Prix racing!