2007 French GP thread.

[Knowlesy]

It is that time of the season again. It's time to don the beret, burglars jumper, tight trousers and ridiculous shoes, freshen the breath with garlic and grow an absurdly fiddly moustache. It is time to be French for the GP at Magny Cours.

This track looks great fun to drive I'm sure, but it hasn't provided us with much in the way of excitement over the years it has to be said. Still, we need a breather between the North American leg and Silverstone.

Renault's home GP has, in recent years, been a big one for them. Each year there has been thoughts, and strong possibilities, of a win. But, for the first time since 2002, they will probably look to this race hoping for a great result rather than expecting it. This race heralded the beginning of Renault's downturn (you may recall this was the first event without their mass damper in use), since then they have had one win at Suzuka, although they held on for the 2006 title double.

The title battle could take another twist this weekend, with Ferrari tipped to return to form. The new aero parts tested at Silverstone are deemed a success, but let's just wait and see how they go come race weekend before we go saying that, eh? McLaren haave looked pretty damn formidable of late, absolutely dominating the previous three races but it should be remembered that these were quite quirky tracks.

Aside from that, Honda are "optimistic" (yawn) that their revised car will work a treat (whatever) and Ralf Schumacher needs a performance pretty darn sharpish if he is to see out the season, one suspects. If he takes a look at his race here last year, he may get some inspiration!

Finally, Robert Kubica will make his return, less than three weeks after that horrendous shunt in Montreal. Amazing.

Enjoy the race!

Drivers championship standings (after seven rounds)

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points	Wins
1.	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren-Mercedes	58	2
2.	Fernando Alonso	McLaren-Mercedes	48	2
3.	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	39	2
4.	Kimi Raikkonen	Ferrari	32	1
5.	Nick Heidfeld	BMW-Sauber	26	0
6.	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	13	0
7.	Robert Kubica	BMW-Sauber	12	0
7=	Heikki Kovaleinen	Renault	12	0
9.	Alexander Wurz	Williams-Toyota	8	0
10.	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	7	0
11.	Nico Rosberg	Williams-Toyota	5	0
12.	David Coulthard	Red Bull-Renault	4	0
12=	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri-Honda	4	0
14.	Mark Webber	Red Bull-Renault	2	0
14=	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	2	0
16.	Sebastien Vettel	BMW-Sauber	1	0

Constructors championship standings (after seven rounds)

Pos.	Constructor	Points	Wins
1.	McLaren-Mercedes	106	4
2.	Ferrari	71	3
3.	BMW-Sauber	39	0
4.	Renault	25	0
5.	Williams-Toyota	13	0
6.	Toyota	9	0
7.	Red Bull-Renault	6	0
8.	Super Aguri-Honda	4	0
9.	Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari	0	0
9=	Honda	0	0
9=	Spyker-Ferrari	0	0

French GP: recent history

2006 top eight finishers

Pos.	Driver	Team	Time/gap	Grid pos.
1.	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1h34m37.308	Pole
2.	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+10.131	3rd
3.	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+22.546	2nd
4.	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+27.212	5th
5.	Kimi Raikkonen	McLaren-Mercedes	+33.006	6th
6.	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+45.265	7th
7.	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren Mercedes	+49.407	8th
8.	Nick Heidfeld	BMW-Sauber	+1 lap	11th

	Driver	Team	Laptime
2006 fastest lap	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1m17.111
2006 pole position	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1m15.493
Lap record	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1m15.377 (set in 2004)

Other previous winners

Year	Driver	Team
2005	Fernando Alonso	Renault
2004	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2003	Ralf Schumacher	Williams-BMW
2002	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2001	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
2000	David Coulthard	McLaren-Mercedes
1999	Heinz Harald-Frentzen	Jordan-Mugen Honda
1998	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
1997	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
1996	Damon Hill	Williams-Renault

Circuit and race weekend information
Circuit map and timetable
Live timing
Event artwork
Official site

As always...
Don't feel shy about discussing the race weekend in our chat room.

And take a look at the predictions competition also. Be a spoiler for the regulars!

[flying finn]

Alonso to finally get through the first corner in the lead and go onto a well deserved win. Wet weather may throw in a wildcard so we could see new names on the podium.

[Pro Racer]

i think (or mor so hope) that if it is wet we see a few of the mid-field guys throw it up there and a couple front guys Lewis especially go mid-pack and have to fight his way through, nothing against him would just like to see how he would go comming through the field.

[Dutton]

I just want a strong Ferrari double finish (a double podium of some description).

If we can get out of it with that, then I would be satisfied.

[Suze]

One of the pre-race interviews before this weekend with DC staking his place, an amusing little read...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1954

[pottiella]

well we should never rely on free practice times, but with Ferrari in particular they can't afford to either sandbag or be deceptive with better times than in reality; though I'm not entirely sure about McLaren, as they have some room to breathe. By virtue of these factors, Ferrari look ominously strong, and I expect a Ferrari 1-2, with Kimi to win....particularly as he seems to have stepped up a gear mentally considering what I saw at silverstone and it seems now.

For once I wouldn't actually mind seeing a Ferrari win, as I think Kimi deserves it to shut the critics up, and Massa has been consistently there even when they were down on McLaren.

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by Pro Racer

i think (or mor so hope) that if it is wet we see a few of the mid-field guys throw it up there and a couple front guys Lewis especially go mid-pack and have to fight his way through, nothing against him would just like to see how he would go comming through the field.

Lewis is British - you don't think he's used to rain?

[Dutton]

I understand the desire for people to see him "come through the field", and what not, but I am certain he will excel. Class acts classy.

I do not expect him to come across any particular problem.

[nycuk]

Kimi and Massa 1 & 2 in first practise.

[BootsOntheSide]

What Lewis can do in F1 in the wet and in traffic coming through the field are two of the biggest unanswered questions. It'd be nice to see him resolve both in one weekend.

[amier]

Great for Ferrari so far, things are not going so well for LH

I think Piquet Jnr summed up the LH hype perfectly

[Knowlesy]

I think Piquet Jr (who's career, incidentally, has not been funded by anyone at all!) made a good job of sounding bitter. He should at least wait until he gets an F1 race seat.

Ferrari looking very good here. It looked a bit ominous at Silverstone testing with all the noises coming from the drivers. Well, I guess this proves it although a long way to go yet.

[Kempi]

Looks like we will have a new lap record, the times at the start of the 2nd practice session being only 1/10s slower than the lap record. All depends on weather of course, but weren't the cars supposed to be slower?

Shows that the move to one tire manufacturer did not totally make the tires out of rock, but rather having a good competitive tire for everyone without having the need for outrageous testing milage.

[Pro Racer]

Liuzzi OMG.

[Sodemo]

The McLarens look slow, rather than the Ferrari's looking fast.

[Kidzer]

Wow, both STRs up at the sharp end now!

[Pro Racer]

WOW, what happened to MW stopping on track and now he is in the pits and hasn't been out, hope it is not another gearbox, when will they fix their reliability , MW was up there early maybe when they fix the car tomorrow and in the race he can be up there maybe a good day for RBR and STR on sunday.

[woolynet]

Well, what a great way to spend a Friday afternoon, watching F1. Good old DSF - shame about the commentary....

That turned out to be very interesting - three Ferrari engined cars in the top three - that first sector is a blinder for them.

Big shout for Scott Speed - don't know what fuel they were running but hey, everyone wants to be at the front and they were all trying - the boy done good!

LH had a few problems but managed to be top McLaren dog. Luizzi started the trend and ended up fourth - well done. Adrian Newey has got to be pleased with the performance of the Red Bull - I wonder if he's helping Torro Rosso as well?

Alonso all over the place today and Raikonnen was also in the kitty litter but didn't go as far as Alonso who made it all the way through two gravel traps before he gained control - some commitment that.

Anthony Davidson - 9th. Excellent.

Hands up who want's to be driving a Spkyer - those guys deserve medals. Well actually I supposed it's more exciting than sat in front of a computer most of the day....

I really don't think that the McLarens look like they're going to beat the Ferraris this weekend unless they find something special overnight. Can't see the point in fuelling them light to get a grid position because the Ferraris seem to have the run in the first sector anyway. Keep an eye on Coulthard this weekend - could see a podium.

Watch and enjoy.

[steve nielsen]

the field is very close together, with the exception of Spyker:

1 Ferrari 1.15.453
2 Torro Rosso 1.15.773
3 Mclaren 1.15.780
4 Red Bull 1.15.958
5 Williams 1.16.003
6 Super Aguri 1.16.162
7 Toyota 1.16.184
8 Renault 1.16.205
9 BMW 1.16.236
10 Honda 1.16.395
11 Spyker 1.18.213

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by woolynet

Adrian Newey has got to be pleased with the performance of the Red Bull - I wonder if he's helping Torro Rosso as well?

Adrian works for Red Bull Technology, which is reponsible for the development of both the Red Bull and Torro Rosso chassis.

[chunterer]

So much for Renault's new aero package.

New wings and floor was it?.......

[Pro Racer]

well just read on gpupdate.net, that MW's problem was the box, seems to alter race to race one weekend it's DC with the problem and the next it's MW, RBR need to sort this problem out.

judging on thodays form, both RBR's will be up there (reliability permiting) with MW showing has the pace but couldn't keep it up all session due to reliability and DC putting down the times wouldn't be surprised to see either or both adorne the podium if a Ferrari fail as they are so far mixing it with the McLaren's, maybe an STR to score a point or 2, Ferrari for the win, Rosberg will be there, and BMW and Renault fighting it out for the final points, never thought i would see the RBR's mixing it with the McLarens and Renault and BMW so far back.

[Inigo Montoya]

Three Ferraris in the top three positions. Looks like we might have a season after all. Keeping fingers crossed for tomorrow.

[Pro Racer]

if things stay roughly the way they are it could throw a spanner in the work in the predictions comp maybe not to many points givenout this round, but that could change tomorrow and we could be back to the same old races we have come acustom to fingers crossed it don't.

[Born Racer]

From the Daily Mail article:

Prost said: "Alonso wanted to go to McLaren because it was like a dream for him, but now he finds he is not the only one in the family.

Obviously it's tough for Alonso up against Hamilton, but he's still driving very quickly if making a few mistakes. (It's good to see someone having a real go though, isn't it?)

However, I do recall Alonso saying last season something like how it would be good to have a much quicker team-mate, because he can then get a bit of back-up in the races. Be careful what you wish for and all that..