French GP Facts & Figures

By Andrew Hooper
July 1 2003

 

 

  
Facts & Figures
 
* The rural Circuit de Nevers is a modern race track with a very smooth surface. The Grande Courbe is a true high-speed corner, while several other corners are blind. Magny-Cours has frequently been the location of very hot races.

* WilliamsF1 has won four out of the twelve Grands Prix held at Magny-Cours and has claimed seven pole positions there since its introduction to the F1 calendar in 1991. In 2001, Ralf Schumacher set the quickest qualifying time in 2001 with Juan Pablo Montoya also securing pole for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team in 2002 with a lap time of 1:11.985m.

* The current lap record was set by David Coulthard (McLaren-Mercedes) last year with a fastest race lap of 1:15.045m.

* Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) won in 2002 ahead of the two McLaren-Mercedes of Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard, securing the 2002 Driver's World Championship title.

* After a strong performance in qualifying, the drivers of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team had to contend with handling problems during the 2002 race at Magny-Cours. Montoya, who started from pole, finished in fourth place. Ralf crossed the finish line in fifth place.

* This year's race will be the 53rd French Grand Prix. Since 1950, the French Grand Prix has been staged at seven different circuits. Prior to Magny-Cours, these included Reims, Rouen, Clermont-Ferrand, Le Mans, Le Castellet and Dijon-Prenois. Only the US Grand Prix has been held at more venues - nine in total.

* After modifications, the circuit now measures 4.411 kilometres in length. Previously it was 4.251 kilometres long. The race distance (70 laps) is 308.586 kilometres.

* The race starts on Sunday 6th July 2003 at 14:00 hrs local time.
 
 
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