French Grand Prix – Some key facts at Magny-Cours
The French Formula 1 Grand Prix took place on 7 different tracks. MotorsInside looks back on some unforgettable events that took place at Magny-Cours between 1991 and 2008.
For political reasons, it was in 1991 that the first edition of the French Grand Prix took place in Magny-Cours. Moved from Provence to Nièvre, the goal of this change is mainly to revitalize a region mainly composed of agricultural land.
From 1991 to 2008, 18 editions were held. The French meeting point for F1 fans is often considered to be too far from major traffic and transport routes.
Between 2004 and 2008, the circuit is plagued by financial problems and every year there are doubts about the holding of the race. Despite the support of the FFSA in 2008, France will no longer organize a race for 10 years, and the return of the Castellet circuit in 2018.
One French winner at Magny-Cours
If the first two editions are won by Nigel Mansell at the wheel of his Williams, it is Alain Prost, also at the wheel of a Williams Renault, who emerges victorious from the duel with teammate Damon Hill.
The English driver achieved pole position, but was overtaken during the race thanks to the pit stops.
This year, with Alain Prost, four French drivers were present on the starting grid: Jean Alesi, Philippe Alliot, and Erik Comas.
This edition almost didn’t take place due to tobacco advertising. In France, the Evin law prohibits tobacco advertising on television. As a result, at the end of 1992, the race was removed from the official calendar, and Williams faced the seizure of its cars if the team continued to display its sponsor: Camel.
Finally and belatedly, an amendment to this law allows the race to take place. The organizer had three months to implement it.
He narrowly missed out on ensuring that Magny-Cours didn’t see any Frenchmen crowned.
A very aggressive strategy at Ferrari.
In 2004, Ferrari has been dominating F1 for a few years. But when they arrived in France, the drivers were not as dominant as expected. It was actually Fernando Alonso who achieved pole position. At that time, qualifying sessions were held over a single flying lap. The car had to be performant immediately and the driver couldn’t afford to make mistakes.
A Renault on pole position, following a Renault (J. Trulli) winning in Monaco, hope is therefore allowed at Magny-Cours. Indeed, from the start, Fernando Alonso keeps his place as the leader. And he also keeps it after the first pit stop, where usually the Red Baron takes advantage to create a gap and overtake his competitors.
The strategy of the day is for three pit stops. Remember that in 2004, refueling with gasoline is allowed. Understanding that by sticking to the same strategy as the blues, the Ferraris would remain behind Alonso’s Renault, the strategists of the Italian team decide to attempt a fourth pit stop.
This stroke of genius has paid off. Michael Schumacher’s car, being lighter than the Renault of the Spanish driver, was able to string together very fast laps and increase his lead. At Magny-Cours, pit stops only cost a small amount of time compared to other circuits.
The German champion signs here his seventh victory on the Nivernais track, for a total of eight.
Big mistake that costs Kimi Räikkönen his first victory.
In 2002, Ferrari is extremely dominant. Michael Schumacher is chaining victories and arrives in France with a big lead over the second driver in the championship. Kimi Räikkönen is expected to “take over” from his compatriot Finnish Mika Häkkinen. While his McLaren is not very performing, he stands out during this Grand Prix. Juan-Pablo Montoya takes the pole position.
On Sundays, the race changes leader thanks to pit stops. In turn, Montoya, M. Schumacher, Räikkönen and Coulthard exchange this first place.
At the end of the race, Kimi is in the best position to win. We must resist the pressure from the Red Baron. But the driver and his car look confident.
But on the 68th lap out of 72, the “silver arrow” goes straight at the Adelaide hairpin. The Finnish driver was caught off guard by the oil on the track following the engine failure of Alan Macnish.
The first victory in F1 was within reach, Kimi will have to wait until Malaysia 2003. He finishes second, behind Mr. Schumacher who clinches the victory, but more importantly his fifth world championship title, with five races to go. A record.
