French Grand Prix

The French Grand Prix (1906-1967: Grand Prix de l'ACF, 1968-2022: Grand Prix de France) was a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA) annual Formula One (F1) automobile racing championships.

French Grand Prix
Circuit de la Sarthe
(2025)
Race information
Number of times held88
First held1906
Most wins (drivers) Michael Schumacher (8)
Most wins (constructors) Ferrari (17)
Circuit length13.626 km (8.467 mi)
Race length313.698 km (194.741 mi)
Laps23
Last race (2022)
Pole position
Podium
Fastest lap

Grand Prix motor racing started in France. The French Grand Prix was open to international competition. It is the oldest Grand Prix race. It was first run on 26 June 1906, under the Automobile Club de France in Sarthe. The first race had a starting field of 32 automobiles.

History

Georges Boillot winning the 1912 French Grand Prix in Dieppe, France

The first World Championships were organized in 1925. It included the French Grand Prix, the Italian Grand Prix, the Belgian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. The French Grand Prix was part of the Formula One championships from their start in 1950. The last F1 Grand Prix was held in 2008. It was called the European Grand Prix four times between 1924 and 1966. During this time, the title was an honorary name. It was given to one grand prix race held in Europe each year

The race has been held at several racetracks in France, such as the Autodrome de Montlhéry. Since 1991 its permanent home was the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours (often called just Magny-Cours). The move to Magny-Cours was an attempt to stimulate the economy of the area, but many within Formula One complained about the remote nature of the circuit.

On 29 March 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 problems of the circuit. Many in F1 did not like the circuit because of the remote location.[1] On 31 May, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that the 2007 French Grand Prix would be the last to be held at Magny-Cours.[2]

After negotiations, the future of the race improved. Ecclestone himself stating "We're going to maybe resurrect it for a year, or something like that".[3] On 24 July, Ecclestone and the Prime Minister of France met. They agreed to try to keep the race at Magny-Cours for 2008 and 2009.[4] On 27 July, when the FIA published the 2008 calendar with a French Grand Prix scheduled at Magny-Cours.[5] The 2009 race, however, was again cancelled on 15 October 2008, with the official website citing "economic reasons".[6]

The future

A major remodeling project of Magny-Cours ("2.0") was planned,[7][8] but canceled in the end. FFSA, the race's promoter, started looking for an another host circuit. There were five different proposals for a new circuit. One in Rouen with 3 possible layouts: a street circuit, in the dock area, or a permanent circuit near the airport.[9][10] A street circuit located near Disneyland Resort Paris.[11][12] A location in Versailles.[13][14] And one in Sarcelles (Val de France).[15] They were all were canceled. A final location in Flins-Les Mureaux, near the Flins Renault Factory was considered,[16] that was canceled as well on 1 December 2009.[17] In 2010 and 2011, there was no French Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar, although the Paul Ricard Circuit has proposed itself for 2012.[18] The French Grand Prix was not included in the released 2012 schedule.

Sponsors

  • Rhône-Poulenc Grand Prix de France 1988-1993
  • Mobil 1 Grand Prix de France 1998-2004
  • Allianz Grand Prix de France 2005-2007
  • RBS Grand Prix de France 2008
  • Pirelli Grand Prix de France 2018-2019, 2021
  • Lenovo Grand Prix de France 2022

Winners of the French Grand Prix

Repeat winners (drivers)

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 1931a, 1934, 1937, 1947
Juan Manuel Fangio 1950, 1951b, 1954, 1957
Nigel Mansell 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992
3 Jack Brabham 1960, 1966, 1967
Jackie Stewart 1969, 1971, 1972
2 Christian Lautenschlager 1908, 1914
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

Active drivers are in bold.
Event that were not part of the Formula One World Championship have a pink background.
Event that were part of the pre-war European Championship have a cream background.

^a Louis Chiron won the 1931 race, but shared the win in the Bugatti with Achille Varzi.
^b Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1951 race, but shared the win in the Alfa Romeo 159-car with Luigi Fagioli.

Repeat winners (constructors)

# of wins Constructor Years won
17 Ferrari 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1968, 1975, 1990, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
8 Williams 1980, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2003
7 Lotus 1963, 1965, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978
6 Bugatti 1926, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1936
Alfa Romeo 1924, 1932, 1934, 1948, 1950, 1951
Renault 1906, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2005
5 McLaren 1976, 1984, 1988, 1989, 2000
4 Brabham 1964, 1966, 1967, 1985
2 Peugeot 1912, 1913
Mercedes 1908, 1914
Fiat 1907, 1922
Delage 1925, 1927
Mercedes-Benz 1935, 1938
Talbot-Lago 1947, 1949
Maserati 1933, 1957
Tyrrell 1971, 1972
Benetton 1994, 1995

Active constructors are in bold.
Event that were not part of the Formula One World Championship have a pink background.
Event that were part of the pre-war European Championship have a cream background.

By year

Year Driver Constructor Location
2022 Max Verstappen Red Bull-RBPT Paul Ricard Full Circuit
2021 Max Verstappen Red Bull-Honda Paul Ricard Full Circuit
2020 Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Paul Ricard Full Circuit
2018 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Paul Ricard Full Circuit
2017
-
2009
Not held
2008 Felipe Massa Ferrari Magny-Cours
2007 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari Magny-Cours
2006 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Magny-Cours
2005 Fernando Alonso Renault Magny-Cours
2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Magny-Cours
2003 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW Magny-Cours
2002 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Magny-Cours
2001 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Magny-Cours
2000 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes Magny-Cours
1999 Heinz-Harald Frentzen Jordan-Mugen-Honda Magny-Cours
1998 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Magny-Cours
1997 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Magny-Cours
1996 Damon Hill Williams-Renault Magny-Cours
1995 Michael Schumacher Benetton-Renault Magny-Cours
1994 Michael Schumacher Benetton-Ford Magny-Cours
1993 Alain Prost Williams-Renault Magny-Cours
1992 Nigel Mansell Williams-Renault Magny-Cours
1991 Nigel Mansell Williams-Renault Magny-Cours
1990 Alain Prost Ferrari Paul Ricard Short Circuit
1989 Alain Prost McLaren-Honda Paul Ricard Short Circuit
1988 Alain Prost McLaren-Honda Paul Ricard Short Circuit
1987 Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda Paul Ricard Short Circuit
1986 Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda Paul Ricard Short Circuit
1985 Nelson Piquet Brabham-BMW Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1984 Niki Lauda McLaren-TAG Dijon
1983 Alain Prost Renault Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1982 René Arnoux Renault Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1981 Alain Prost Renault Dijon
1980 Alan Jones Williams-Ford Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1979 Jean-Pierre Jabouille Renault Dijon
1978 Mario Andretti Lotus-Ford Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1977 Mario Andretti Lotus-Ford Dijon
1976 James Hunt McLaren-Ford Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1975 Niki Lauda Ferrari Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1974 Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Ford Dijon
1973 Ronnie Peterson Lotus-Ford Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1972 Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Ford Charade
1971 Jackie Stewart Tyrrell-Ford Paul Ricard Full Circuit
1970 Jochen Rindt Lotus-Ford Charade
1969 Jackie Stewart Matra-Ford Charade
1968 Jacky Ickx Ferrari Rouen-Les-Essarts
1967 Jack Brabham Brabham-Repco Le Mans-Bugatti
1966 Jack Brabham Brabham-Repco Reims
1965 Jim Clark Lotus-Climax Charade
1964 Dan Gurney Brabham-Climax Rouen-Les-Essarts
1963 Jim Clark Lotus-Climax Reims
1962 Dan Gurney Porsche Rouen-Les-Essarts
1961 Giancarlo Baghetti Ferrari Reims
1960 Jack Brabham Cooper-Climax Reims
1959 Tony Brooks Ferrari Reims
1958 Mike Hawthorn Ferrari Reims
1957 Juan Manuel Fangio Maserati Rouen-Les-Essarts
1956 Peter Collins Ferrari Reims
1955 Not held due to 1955 Le Mans diasters
1954 Juan Manuel Fangio Mercedes Reims
1953 Mike Hawthorn Ferrari Reims
1952 Alberto Ascari Ferrari Rouen-Les-Essarts
1951 Luigi Fagioli
Juan Manuel Fangio
Alfa Romeo Reims
1950 Juan Manuel Fangio Alfa Romeo Reims
1949 Louis Chiron Talbot-Lago Reims
1948 Jean-Pierre Wimille Alfa Romeo Reims
1947 Louis Chiron Talbot-Lago Lyon-Parilly
1946
-
1940
Not held due to World War II
1939 Hermann Paul Müller Auto Union Reims
1938 Manfred von Brauchitsch Mercedes-Benz Reims
1937 Louis Chiron Talbot Montlhéry
1936 Jean-Pierre Wimille
Raymond Sommer
Bugatti Montlhéry
1935 Rudolf Caracciola Mercedes-Benz Montlhéry
1934 Louis Chiron Alfa Romeo Montlhéry
1933 Giuseppe Campari Maserati Montlhéry
1932 Tazio Nuvolari Alfa Romeo Reims
1931 Louis Chiron
Achille Varzi
Bugatti Montlhéry
1930 Philippe Étancelin Bugatti Pau
1929 William Grover-Williams Bugatti Le Mans
1928 William Grover-Williams Bugatti Saint-Gaudens
1927 Robert Benoist Delage Montlhéry
1926 Jules Goux Bugatti Miramas
1925 Robert Benoist
Albert Divo
Delage Montlhéry
1924 Giuseppe Campari Alfa Romeo Lyon
1923 Henry Segrave Sunbeam Tours
1922 Felice Nazzaro Fiat Strasbourg
1921 Jimmy Murphy Duesenberg Le Mans
1920
-
1915
Not held due to World War I
1914 Christian Lautenschlager Mercedes Lyon
1913 Georges Boillot Peugeot Amiens
1912 Georges Boillot Peugeot Dieppe
1911
-
1909
Not held
1908 Christian Lautenschlager Mercedes Dieppe
1907 Felice Nazzaro Fiat Dieppe
1906 Ferenc Szisz Renault Le Mans

Event that were not part of the Formula One World Championship have a pink background.
Event that were part of the pre-war European Championship have a cream background.

Broadcasting

United Kingdom

Year Network Lap-by-lap Colour commentator(s)
2018 Sky Sports F1 David Croft Martin Brundle
Channel 4 Ben Edwards David Coulthard
2008 ITV James Allen Martin Brundle
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002 F1 Digital+ Ben Edwards John Watson
ITV James Allen Martin Brundle
2001 James Allen
2000
1999 Murray Walker
1998
1997
1996 BBC Two Jonathan Palmer
Eurosport Ben Edwards John Watson
1995 BBC Two Murray Walker Jonathan Palmer
Eurosport Ben Edwards John Watson
1994 BBC One Murray Walker Jonathan Palmer
Eurosport Allard Kalff John Watson
1993 BBC One Murray Walker Jonathan Palmer
Eurosport Allard Kalff John Watson
1992 BBC One Murray Walker James Hunt
Eurosport Allard Kalff John Watson
1991 BBC Two Murray Walker James Hunt
Eurosport Richard Nicholls John Watson
1990 BBC Two Murray Walker James Hunt
Eurosport Richard Nicholls John Watson
1989 BBC Two Murray Walker James Hunt
1988
1987 BBC One
1986 BBC Two
1985 BBC One
BBC Two1
1984 BBC Two
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1967 BBC One Raymond Baxter
1966
1965
1964
1963 BBC Television
1962
1961
1959 Robin Richards

1 1985, Race started on BBC One but coverage of the race moved to BBC Two because of other scheduled programming.

References

  1. "French GP under threat for 2008". ITV-F1.com. 2007-03-29. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  2. "F1 will quit Magny-Cours after 2007". ITV-F1.com. 2007-05-31. Archived from the original on 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  3. "Magny-Cours set for reprieve". ITV-F1.com. 2007-01-01. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  4. "Formula One hope for Magny-Cours". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 2007-07-24. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  5. "FIA reveals 18-race calendar for 2008". formula1.com. 2007-07-27. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  6. "Grand Prix de France". gpfrancef1.com. 2009-07-28. Archived from the original on 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  7. "Magny-Cours to get a facelift". grandprix.com. Inside F1, Inc. 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  8. "Magny-Cours 2 Projet de modernisation-standardisation du Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours" [Magny-Cours 2 Modernization Project: Standardization of the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours]. automobilsport.com (in French). 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  9. "La F1 de retour à Rouen ?". motorlegend.com (in French). Moteurs & Légendes. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  10. "Rouen to bid for the French GP". grandprix.com. Inside F1, Inc. 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  11. Ee, Samuel (2008-10-22). "Euro Disney the next venue for French GP?". asiaone.com. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Archived from the original on 2011-10-25. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  12. Joseph, Noah (2008-11-21). "Disney Grand Prix plans shelved". autoblog.com. AOL Inc. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  13. "Versailles possible for French GP".
  14. "More about a race at Versailles". grandprix.com. Inside F1, Inc. 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  15. "Sarcelles bidding for a Grand Prix". grandprix.com. Inside F1, Inc. 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  16. "More details emerge from Flins-Mureaux". GrandPrix.com. Inside F1, Inc. 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
  17. Noble, Jonathan (2009-12-01). "French GP plans suffer fresh blow". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  18. "Paul Ricard Confirme sa Candidature pour 2011".

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