French Grand Prix
| |
| French Grand Prix | |
|---|---|
| Circuit | Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours |
| Laps | 70 |
| Circuit length km | 4.41 |
| Circuit length mi | 2.74 |
| Race length km | 308.59 |
| Race length mi | 191.75 |
| Current year | 2005 |
| Winning time | 1:31'22.233 s |
| Winner | Fernando Alonso |
| Winning team | Renault |
| Pole time | 1'14.412 |
| Pole driver | Fernando Alonso |
| Pole team | Renault |
| Fastest lap | 1'16.423 |
| Fastest lap driver | Kimi Räikkönen |
| Fastest lap team | McLaren-Mercedes |
The French Grand Prix is a Formula One race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championship season.
Grand Prix motor racing originated in France and the French Grand Prix, open to international competition, is the oldest of the Grand Prix races. The first French Grand Prix was run on June 26, 1906 under the auspices of the Automobile Club de France in Sarthe with a starting field of thity-two 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 its inception in 1950. Over the years, the annual competition has been held at various racetracks throughout France but since 1991 it has been held at 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. However, the races went ahead as planned in the end. However, the French Grand Prix still has an uncertain future.