1988 French Grand Prix
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Results from the 1988 Formula One French Grand Prix held at Paul Ricard on July 3, 1988.
[edit] Classification
[edit] Race summary
The two McLarens lined up in their customary front row places ahead of the two Ferraris, the superbly-placed normally aspirated two Benettons and two Lotuses. For the first time this season there was a genuine battle for the lead-between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, with Prost managing to maintain a 2 second cushion despite worries in the McLaren pit of fuel overconsumption. The Benetton challenge faltered with Thierry Boutsen's retirement due to electrical problems on lap 17. On lap 22 Gerhard Berger spun to let his teammate Michele Alboreto through to 3rd place. On lap 34 Senna pitted for tyres, followed 3 laps later by Prost whilst Riccardo Patrese's brakes failed. By lap 45 following traffic for Senna and a series of fastest laps, Prost had caught his teammate and on lap 60 took him in a superb manoeuvre at the daunting Signes corner. Senna eased off after suffering a spongy gear linkage to follow his teammate to the line. The Ferraris came home in 3rd and 4th - Berger had regained his 3rd place, but lost it again in the subsequent pit stop. Nelson Piquet maintained 5th place throughout the race, holding it in the last 15 laps despite having no 2nd gear, with Alessandro Nannini collecting the final point. Nigel Mansell's retirement from 8th with suspension problems promoted the March team to 8th and 9th - a superb achievement in the case of 9th place Ivan Capelli who was racing with a fractured left foot after his crash in Detroit.
[edit] Notes
- Fastest Lap: Alain Prost 1'11.737
- Ghinzani was excluded for missing weight check.
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