2007 French Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = France
Grand Prix = French
date=July 1
year=2007

---

Race_No = 8
Season_No = 17
Official name = XCIII Grand Prix de France
location=Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours, France
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 2.74
Course_km = 4.411
Distance_laps = 70
Distance_mi = 191.8
Distance_km = 308.77
Weather =
Pole_Driver = Felipe Massa
Pole_Country =Brazil
Pole_Team =Ferrari
Pole_Time =1:15.034
Fast_Driver = Felipe Massa
Fast_Country = Brazil
Fast_Team = Ferrari
Fast_Time = 1:16.099
Fast_L

First_Driver = Kimi Räikkönen
First_Team = Ferrari
First_Country = Finland
Second_Driver = Felipe Massa
Second_Team = Ferrari
Second_Country= Brazil
Third_Driver = Lewis Hamilton
Third_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
Third_Country = United KingdomThe 2007 French Grand Prix was the eighth race of the 2007 Formula One season. It was held on 29 June–1 July at Magny-Cours.cite web|title=Race page on Formula1.com |publisher=Formula1.com|url=http://www.formula1.com/race/circuitmap/777.html|accessdate=2007-06-07]

In March 2007, the "Fédération Française du Sport" (FFSA) stated their intention to rest the Magny-Cours circuit from the Formula One world championship for the 2008 season. [cite news |title=No French GP in 2008? |url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns18937.html |publisher=GrandPrix.com |date=2007-03-29 |accessdate=2007-03-29 ] However, on 31 May, Bernie Ecclestone announced that the Grand Prix would not be returning to the circuit, and hence 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]

It was won by Kimi Räikkönen of Ferrari, followed by team-mate Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes.

Report

Background

Following the United States Grand Prix, the Formula One teams headed to Silverstone for a three-day test. Nine teams participated with the exception of Honda and Super Aguri who opted to test at the Jerez circuit. [cite news |title=Honda, Super Aguri kick off Jerez test |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59981 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-20 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] Neither Ferrari nor McLaren were fastest on the first two days at Silverstone, rather it was Toyota that was fastest on both of the days. [cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Ralf leads first day of Silverstone test |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59977 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-19 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Trulli keeps Toyota on top at Silverstone |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59992 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-20 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] However, on the third and final day of testing Felipe Massa put Ferrari on top with a time of 1:20.805. The nearest challenger, Nico Rosberg was 0.469 behind, with Fernando Alonso a further 0.010 behind. [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Massa finishes Silverstone test on top |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60020 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-21 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] With Ferrari fastest on the third day, both of their drivers, Massa and Kimi Räikkönen were very confident heading into the French round of the season. [cite news |first=Michele |last=Lostia |coauthors=Pablo Elizalde |title=Massa bullish about Ferrari chances |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60169 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-25 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Raikkonen 'very confident' for France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60189 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-26 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ]

Off track Ferrari launched a criminal investigation in Modena against their own employee Nigel Stepney. [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |coauthors=Biranit Goren |title=Ferrari's Stepney faces criminal enquiry |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60025 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-21 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] Stepney's lawyer ruled out sabotage claims, [cite news |first=Michele |last=Lostia |coauthors=Jonathan Noble |title=Stepney lawyer rules out sabotage claims |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60078 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-23 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] and Stepney said it was part of a "dirty tricks" campaign. [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Stepney says he has done nothing wrong |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60114 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-24 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ]

There was also controversy at the rear-end of the grid, as Spyker asked the FIA to look at the new updates that were put on the Super Aguri at Indianapolis to see whether the Aguri team are receiving current Honda parts. [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Spyker want FIA to look at Aguri updates |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60247 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-29 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] On Saturday, Super Aguri's managing director Daniel Audetto said "We have rules - they [Spyker] can just protest. Tell them to protest - if I have something to complain about, I will make a protest." [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Super Aguri suggest Spyker should protest |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60316 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ]

Robert Kubica was back in his BMW after his crash at the Canadian Grand Prix. [cite news |title=Kubica passes fit to race in France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60219 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-28 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] Early on Saturday, Nick Heidfeld was cleared to continue in his BMW after experiencing back pains during Friday practice. [cite news |first=Steve |last=Cooper |title=Heidfeld cleared to continue |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60311 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ]

Practice

Ferrari dominated both practice sessions on the Friday, with Räikkönen fastest in the first Practice Session and Felipe Massa was fastest in the 2nd Practice Session. Behind the Ferraris, Alonso was third in his McLaren, but seven tenths behind, with his team-mate and World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton sixth, but lost nearly an hour of the session due to car trouble. The two McLarens were split by David Coulthard and Nico Rosberg. [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Ferrari dominate first practice - France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60245 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-29 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ]

Hamilton managed to recover from his morning trouble to post the fourth fastest time in the 2nd Practice Session on Friday afternoon. The Ferraris were still leading, but Massa was fastest, just 0.035 seconds ahead of Räikkönen. However, one of the major surprises came from Scuderia Toro Rosso, as Scott Speed posted the third quickest time, with Vitantonio Liuzzi posting the fifth quickest time. During the session, Liuzzi was involved in a bizarre incident with Anthony Davidson; Davidson exited his garage, and smashed his Super Aguri into the side of Liuzzi's Toro Rosso; knocking his front wing off in the accident. [cite news |first=Steve |last=Cooper |coauthors=Jonathan Noble |title=Davidson blames tight pitlane for crash |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60290 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-29 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Alonso finished the second practice session eighth. [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Ferrari stay on top in practice 2 - France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60260 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-29 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ]

In the final practice session on Saturday morning, Hamilton managed to beat Ferrari, with the Englishman ahead of second-placed Massa by 0.063 seconds. Hamilton and the two Ferraris completed the top three, but Alonso was again down in eighth, having missed nearly the whole of the session with a faulty brake sensor. [cite news |first=Mark |last=Glendenning |title=Minor setback for Alonso in practice |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60321 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ] The Renaults sparked a return to form with Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella fourth and fifth, both ahead of rivals BMW, who were sixth and fifteenth respectively. [cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Hamilton fastest in third practice - France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60318 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-05 ]

Qualifying

Both Spykers and both Super Aguris were knocked out of the first phase of qualifying, along with Alexander Wurzs Williams and Vitantonio Liuzzis Toro Rosso. For Super Aguris Takuma Sato, it did not matter where he qualified, as he was docked ten places, due to overtaking Jenson Button under yellow flags at the last Grand Prix. [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Davidson frustrated by pitlane woes |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60343 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Spykers Adrian Sutil was hoping for a wet race after an unspectacular qualifying. [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Sutil relying on rain to move up |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60330 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] At the front end of the grid, the McLarens were first and fourth, with Hamilton on top, and the Ferraris splitting them in third and fourth. Heikki Kovalainen rounded out the top five.

David Coulthard failed to complete a single timed lap in the second part of qualifying due to a gearbox problem, and started 16th. [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Coulthard rues reliability issues |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60335 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Both Hondas were knocked out also, along with Mark Webber, Scott Speed and Ralf Schumacher. Both Button and Barrichello were happier with the upgraded Honda, with Button saying "the car is certainly better than the last race in Indianapolis, although the positions don't reflect that". [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Drivers say upgraded Honda is a step forward |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60350 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Hamilton was again fastest in Part 2, with team-mate Alonso down in 5th. Massa, Räikkönen and Kubica rounded out the top four.

After topping the first two parts of qualifying, Hamilton dropped to second in the third and final part, with Massa taking pole position, just 0.070 ahead of the Englishman. Massa stated in the post-Qualifying press conference that "it looks like we [Ferrari] are back and fighting", [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Massa delighted with return to form |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60325 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] with Hamilton believing pole was possible had he not made a mistake at Turn 15. [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Hamilton believes pole was possible |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60329 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Räikkönen qualified third as he lost time on one corner, which he called "all my fault". [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Raikkonen: error cost me front row slot |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60332 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Alonso was unable to complete a single lap in the session due to a gearbox problem. He was classified tenth and stated that he'd "prefer a wet race". [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Frustrated Alonso hoping for a wet race |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60327 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Behind Räikkönen was Kubica in fourth, but despite qualifying fifth, Giancarlo Fisichella believed there was "potential for more" from the Renault. [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Fisichella says more to come from Renault |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60337 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Fisichella's team-mate Kovalainen was sixth, with Nick Heidfeld seventh. Jarno Trulli, Nico Rosberg and Alonso rounded out the top ten. [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Massa beats Hamilton to France pole |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60324 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Rosberg also had a slight gearbox problem in the final part of qualifying, which he believed cost him a few tenths coming into the final few corners. [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Rosberg hindered by gearbox problem |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60352 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ]

Race

Three people were killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday night. They were Emmanuel Longobardi, a PR operative; the pilot Pierre Bennehard; and Simon MacGill, a New Zealand national. A Bridgestone employee and his niece were injured. [cite news |title=Three dead after helicopter crash |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60377 |work=Autosport |publisher=Haymarket|date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] [cite news |title=Bridgestone employee injured in air crash |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60389 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Longobardi was a popular member of the Formula One Paddock. [cite news |first=Adam |last=Cooper |title=Emmanuel Longobardi: 1970 - 2007 |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60453 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-03 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ]

Adrian Sutil in the Spyker opted to start from the pitlane. Massa got off to the best possible start and retained his lead, but Räikkönen passed Hamilton into Turn One. At the back of the field, Anthony Davidson hit the back of Vitantonio Liuzzi's Toro Rosso. The Toro Rosso came back onto the track and smashed into the side of the Super Aguri. Liuzzi said afterwards that "all we can do is wait for Silverstone and hope that the definite improvement we have made with the car pays off". [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Liuzzi laments early exit |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60391 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] At the Adelaide hairpin, Jarno Trulli rammed into the back of Heikki Kovalainen. Trulli was out, but Kovalainen continued at the back of the field. Trulli apologised to Kovalainen after the race, and declared it "a racing accident". [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Trulli apologises to Kovalainen |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60393 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] The tangle promoted Alonso up to 8th.

Robert Kubica was quickly losing ground on the two Ferraris and Hamilton. Alonso passed Rosberg for 7th, and quickly closed in on Heidfeld, but stayed behind him until he pitted on Lap 16. Alonso attempted to get past on Lap 5, but ran wide, giving the position back to the German. Hamilton also pitted on Lap 16, with Massa pitting on Lap 19 and Räikkönen on Lap 21.

Räikkönen decreased Massa's lead back down from 4 seconds to 2 seconds. Alonso passed both Heidfeld and Fisichella in the middle section of the race. In the second round of stops, Räikkönen pitted two laps after Massa. These two laps extra gave Räikkönen the lead after his second stop, with Massa now second. Alonso pitted for the 2nd time on lap 35. Heidfeld and Fisichella pitted several laps later, and both of them got out in front of Alonso. Christijan Albers had an unusual accident, his car left the pit lane with the fuel rig attached without being detached by the pit crews. Eventually, he drove to the side of the track and retired.

Räikkönen won the race from team-mate Massa, with Hamilton third. This marked Ferrari's first one-two of the season. Massa stated that the race win was lost "because of traffic", [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Massa says backmarkers cost him win |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60386 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] while team-mate Räikkönen stated he was "much happier with the car". [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Raikkonen aims to keep momentum going |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60387 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Kubica was a lonely fourth, with Fisichella, Heidfeld, Alonso and Button rounding out the points. [cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Raikkonen leads Ferrari 1-2 in France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60384 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Despite it being Button's first points of 2007, he said that he's "not getting too excited about it". [cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |title=Button not too excited despite first point |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60390 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ] Despite finishing seventh, Alonso was still confident about his title chances saying that he hopes the "two points are important at the end of the season". [cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |title=Alonso still confident about title chances |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60385 |publisher=Autosport.com |date=2007-07-01 |accessdate=2007-07-06 ]

Classification

Qualifying

*Takuma Sato demoted to 22nd place due to penalty imposed after US Grand Prix

Race

Notes

* Lap Leaders: Felipe Massa 40 (1 – 19, 23 – 43), Kimi Räikkönen 30 (20 – 22, 44 – 70)
* For the United States TV coverage, FOX broadcast this race.
* This was the first time a Finnish driver has won the French Grand Prix.
* This was Jenson Button's first points of f1|2007.

References

External links

* [http://www.magnyf1.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/777/circuit_diagram.html Official Formula1.com page]
* [http://www.manipef1.com/results/2007/france.php Detailed French Grand Prix results]

F1_race_report
Name_of_race=French Grand Prix
Year_of_race=2007
Previous_race_in_season=2007 United States Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season=2007 British Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race=2006 French Grand Prix
Next_year's_race=2008 French Grand Prix