Lap times vary noticeably at Magny-Cours depending on the ambient temperature. In common with other tight circuits,
Formula One cars are set up to race with high levels of downforce, without completely compromising straight-line speed.
THE WINNER?
Once again, it is hard to look beyond the usual suspects when discussing potential winners at Magny-Cours but, if anything, the list has dwindled from four to two in recent races, with
McLaren taking a step forward and leaving the squabble between
Lewis Hamilton and
Fernando Alonso. The Briton has had the upper hand in the last two rounds and now returns to more familiar venues with momentum behind him. Alonso, however, will be keen to regain the upper hand while Ferrari is trailing and prevent his team-mate from pulling too far ahead. Ferrari reckons it found something in testing, so it will be interesting to note the gap between the Scuderia and the leaders.
LAST SEASON:
Michael Schumacher won the French GP for the eighth time, carrying the momentum from his USGP success to Magny-Cours and further raising the temperature in the championship battle. The race was hardly a classic, as the German led from lights to flag, taking advantage of chief rival Fernando Alonso being bottled up behind the second Ferrari of
Felipe Massa. Although the pair swapped places during the pit-stops, Schumacher was already too far ahead. Ralf Schumacher claimed fourth for
Toyota, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and
Giancarlo Fisichella. Pedro de la Rosa scooped two points after a late call-up to replace the NASCAR-bound Juan Montoya, while Nick Heidfeld salvaged a point after a disappointing qualifying session for BMW Sauber...
1.
Michael Schumacher Germany
Ferrari-Ferrari 70 laps
1hr
32mins 7.8secs
2.
Fernando Alonso Spain
Renault-Renault +10.1
3.
Felipe Massa Brazil
Ferrari-Ferrari +22.5
4.
Ralf Schumacher Germany
Toyota-Toyota +27.2
5.
Kimi Raikkonen Finland
McLaren-Mercedes +33.0
6.
Giancarlo Fisichella Italy
Renault-Renault +45.4
7.
Pedro de la Rosa Spain
McLaren-Mercedes +49.4
8.
Nick Heidfeld Germany
BMW Sauber-BMW +1 lap
