French Grand Prix
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours | |
 |
|
| Race information | |
| Laps | 70 |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 4.411 km (2.741 mi) |
| Race length | 308.586 km (191.755 mi) |
| First held | 1906 |
| Last held | 2007 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Michael Schumacher (8) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Ferrari (15) |
| Last race (2007): | |
| Pole position |  Felipe MassaFerrari 1:15.034 |
| Podium | 1.  Kimi RäikkönenFerrari 1h 30m 54.200s (203.680 km/h) 2. Felipe MassaFerrari +2.414s 3.  Lewis HamiltonMcLaren-Mercedes +32.153s |
| Fastest lap | Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:16.099 |
The French Grand Prix (Grand Prix de France) is a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships.
Grand Prix motor racing originated in France and the French Grand Prix, open to international competition, is the oldest Grand Prix races, first run on June 26, 1906 under the auspices of the Automobile Club de France in Sarthe, with a starting field of 32 automobiles.
The first World Championships were organized in 1925 with the French Grand Prix, the Italian Grand Prix, the Belgian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. The French Grand Prix has been part of the Formula One championships since their inception in 1950. The race has been held at various racetracks throughout France, such as the Autodrome de Montlhéry. Since 1991 it has had its permanent home at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The move to Magny-Cours was an attempt to stimulate the economy of the area, but many within Formula One complain about the remote nature of the circuit.
The 2004 and 2005 races were in doubt because of financial problems and the addition of new circuits to the Formula One calendar. These races went ahead as planned, but it still has an uncertain future.
On March 29, 2007 it was announced by the FFSA, the race promoter, that the 2008 French Grand Prix was put on an indefinite "pause". This suspension was due to the financial situation of the circuit, known to be disliked by many in F1 due to the circuit's remote location.[1] On May 31, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed (at the time) that the 2007 French Grand Prix would be the last to be held at Magny-Cours.[2]
However, after various negotiations, the future of the race at Magny-Cours took another turn, with increased speculation that the 2008 French Grand Prix would return, with Ecclestone himself stating "We're going to maybe resurrect it for a year, or something like that".[3] On July 24, Ecclestone and the French Prime Minister met and agreed to possibly maintain the race at Magny Cours for 2008 and 2009.[4] The change in fortune was completed on July 27, when the FIA published the 2008 calendar with a 2008 French Grand Prix scheduled at Magny-Cours once again.[5]
Contents |
[edit] Sponsors
Rhône-Poulenc Grand Prix du France 1988-1993
Mobil 1 Grand Prix du France 1998-2004
Allianz Grand Prix de France 2005-
[edit] Winners of the French Grands Prix
[edit] Repeat Winners
| Number of wins | Driver | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Michael Schumacher |
1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 |
| 6 |  Alain Prost |
1981, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993 |
| 4 |  Louis Chiron |
1931, 1934, 1937, 1947 |
 Juan Manuel Fangio |
1950, 1951, 1954, 1957 | |
| Nigel Mansell |
1986, 1987, 1991, 1992 | |
| 3 |  Jack Brabham |
1960, 1966, 1967 |
| Jackie Stewart |
1969, 1971, 1972 | |
| 2 |  Christian Lautenschlager |
1908, 1914 |
.svg/22px-Flag_of_Italy_(1861-1946).svg.png){kind=small} Felice Nazzaro |
1907, 1922 | |
| Georges Boillot |
1912, 1913 | |
| Giuseppe Campari |
1924, 1933 | |
| Robert Benoist |
1925, 1927 | |
| William Grover-Williams |
1928, 1929 | |
| Jean-Pierre Wimille |
1936, 1948 | |
 Dan Gurney |
1962, 1964 | |
| Jim Clark |
1963, 1965 | |
 Ronnie Peterson |
1973, 1974 | |
| Mario Andretti |
1977, 1978 | |
 Niki Lauda |
1975, 1984 |
^ Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1951 race, but shared the Alfa Romeo 159-car with Luigi Fagioli.
[edit] By year
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
A cream background indicates an event which was part of the pre-war European Championship.
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[edit] References
- ^ ITV-F1.com 2008 French Grand Prix "Pause"
- ^ ITV-F1.com Ecclestone Confirms Magny Cours Departure
- ^ ITV-F1.com Magny-Cours set for reprieve
- ^ BBC SportFormula One hope for French Grand Prix
- ^ "FIA reveals 18-race calendar for 2008", formula1.com, 2007-07-27. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
[edit] External links
- French Grand Prix Results, Live Timing, Quiz & Discussion
- Site officiel du Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
- Official Website of the French Grand Prix
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