By nGO
November 19 2006

For most of Franck's racing career he has been faced with handicap because of an injury, caused by an accident in racing early on. But the cream always rises to the top, Franck's talent shone through as he won championship after championship before entering F1.

Franck was a winner at an early age, becoming a karting champion aged 14 in his home country, France. Three years later he moved up to Formula Renault where in his first year he managed a victory finishing the championship in 4th position, clearly there was much potential in the young French driver who looked likely to be in contention to win the championship the following year.

However, fate would have a cruel twist - the season began well and Franck won two races, but he had a horrific accident where he was badly injured with multiple fractures and muscle damage, an injury so sever that there are still implications today. Despite this traumatic experience Franck showed courage and determination, he continued racing and on his return astounded everyone as he managed four top 3 placings including a victory. A year later in the French Formula 3 league, he won 4 races and finished the Championship a respectable 4th.

Franck in his 20's now continued racing in French Formula 3, he was clearly a driver on the up, although he did not win the Championship he achieved everything else including winning 8 races. He moved up to International F3000 but not yielding the success he wanted, Franck moved a step down racing in the Open International Nissan League. In his first year he broke the records for number of wins and points achieved becoming the clear champion.

He was beginning to be noticed by top F1 team Renault. After becoming champion once again a few years later he was given the important 3rd Driver role at Renault, where the team finished 3rd in 2004 and won both F1 titles in 2005.

The team did not renew his contract in 2006 and it was looking like he had no where to go in F1, but members high up on the new F1 team Super Aguri knew of Franck’s talents and employed him as their third driver. Race driver Ide did not perform up to expectations and after a number of disappointing runs he was reprieved from his role and Franck found himself racing for Super Aguri team. Being so quickly put together and having to use a four-year-old chassis meant races were hard for the newest F1 squad, but Franck finished his first F1 race in the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix in 14th place. A few weeks later he finishes second in Le Mans 24H with the Pescarolo team. With the arrival of Sakon Yamamoto, Franck’s future is unclear after the Indianapolis grand prix.