French Grand Prix

F1 race
Name =

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Circuit = Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Circuit_

---

Laps = 70
Circuit_length_km = 4.411
Circuit_length_mi = 2.741
Race_length_km = 308.586
Race_length_mi = 191.755
First_held = 1906
Last_held = 2008
Most_wins_driver = flagicon|Germany Michael Schumacher (8)
Most_wins_constructor = flagicon|Italy Ferrari (17)
Current_year = 2008
Pole_driver = flagicon|Finland Kimi Räikkönen
Pole_team = Ferrari
Pole_time = 1:16.449
Winner = flagicon|Brazil Felipe Massa
Winning_team = Ferrari
Winning_time = 1h 31m 50.245s
(201.608 km/h)
Second = flagicon|Finland Kimi Räikkönen
Second_team = Ferrari
Second_time = +17.984s
Third = flagicon|Italy Jarno Trulli
Third_team = Toyota
Third_time = +28.250s
Fastest_lap_driver = flagicon|Finland Kimi Räikkönen
Fastest_lap_team = Ferrari
Fastest_l

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. [ [http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=38802 ITV-F1.com] 2008 French Grand Prix "Pause"] 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. [ [http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=39446 ITV-F1.com] Ecclestone Confirms Magny Cours Departure]

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". [ [http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40169 ITV-F1.com] Magny-Cours set for reprieve ] On July 24, Ecclestone and the French Prime Minister met and agreed to possibly maintain the race at Magny Cours for 2008 and 2009. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/6913778.stm BBC Sport] Formula One hope for French Grand Prix] The change in fortune was completed on July 27, when the FIA published the F1|2008 calendar with a 2008 French Grand Prix scheduled at Magny-Cours once again. [cite news| title =FIA reveals 18-race calendar for 2008| publisher =formula1.com| url =http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/7/6548.html| date =2007-07-27| accessdate =2007-07-27]

Sponsors

Rhône-Poulenc Grand Prix du France 1988-1993

Mobil 1 Grand Prix du France 1998-2004

Allianz Grand Prix de France 2005-2007

RBS Grand Prix de France 2008-

Winners of the French Grands Prix

Repeat Winners

Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1951 race, but shared the Alfa Romeo 159-car with Luigi Fagioli.

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."

References

External links

* [http://formula1home.com/season/2007/races/france/index.html French Grand Prix Results, Live Timing, Quiz & Discussion]
* [http://www.magnyf1.com/ Site officiel du Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours]
* [http://www.gpfrancef1.com/ Official Website of the French Grand Prix]