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The '''2007 French Grand Prix''' was the eighth race of the [[2007 Formula One season]]. It was held on [[29 June]]–[[1 July]] at [[Magny-Cours]].<ref name="race page">{{cite web| title =Race page on Formula1.com | publisher =Formula1.com| url =http://www.formula1.com/race/circuitmap/777.html| accessdate =2007-06-07}}</ref> |
The '''2007 French Grand Prix''' was the eighth race of the [[2007 Formula One season]]. It was held on [[29 June]]–[[1 July]] at [[Magny-Cours]].<ref name="race page">{{cite web| title =Race page on Formula1.com | publisher =Formula1.com| url =http://www.formula1.com/race/circuitmap/777.html| accessdate =2007-06-07}}</ref> |
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In [[March 2007]], the ''Fédération Française du Sport'' (FFSA) announced that it would take a year out of the Formula One world championship in [[2008 Formula One season|2008]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=No French GP in 2008? |url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns18937.html |work= |publisher=GrandPrix.com |date=March 29, 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-29 }}</ref> However, on [[31 May]], [[Bernie Ecclestone]] confirmed that the 2007 French Grand Prix would be the last to be held at Magny Cours.<ref>[http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=39446 ITV-F1.com] Ecclestone Confirms Magny Cours Departure</ref> |
In [[March 2007]], the ''Fédération Française du Sport'' (FFSA) announced that it would take a year out of the Formula One world championship in [[2008 Formula One season|2008]]. <ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=No French GP in 2008? |url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns18937.html |work= |publisher=GrandPrix.com |date=March 29, 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-29 }}</ref> However, on [[31 May]], [[Bernie Ecclestone]] confirmed that the 2007 French Grand Prix would be the last to be held at Magny Cours.<ref>[http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=39446 ITV-F1.com] Ecclestone Confirms Magny Cours Departure</ref> |
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== Report == |
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=== Pre-Race === |
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From the [[2007 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]], the [[Formula One]] teams headed to [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]] for a three-day test. Nine teams participated in the test at Silverstone, but [[Honda Racing F1|Honda]] and [[Super Aguri F1|Super Aguri]] opted to test at the [[Circuito Permanente de Jerez|Jerez circuit]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Honda, Super Aguri kick off Jerez test |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59981 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 20, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> Neither [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] or [[McLaren]] were fastest on the first two days at Silverstone, and instead it was [[Toyota F1|Toyota]] that was fastest on both of the days.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Ralf leads first day of Silverstone test |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59977 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 19, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Trulli keeps Toyota on top at Silverstone |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59992 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 20, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> However, on the third and final day of testing [[Felipe Massa]] put Ferrari on top with a time of 1:20.805. The nearest challenger, [[Nico Rosberg]] was 0.469 behind, with [[Fernando Alonso]] only 0.010 behind Rosberg.<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Massa finishes Silverstone test on top |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60020 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 21, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> With Ferrari fastest on the third day, both of their drivers, Massa and [[Kimi Räikkönen]] were very confident heading into the French round of the [[2007 Formula One Season|season]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Massa optimistic Ferrari will bounce back |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60035 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 22, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Michele |last=Lostia |authorlink= |coauthors= Pablo Elizalde |title=Massa bullish about Ferrari chances |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60169 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 25, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Raikkonen 'very confident' for France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60189 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 26, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> |
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However, behind the scenes at Ferrari, the team launched a criminal investigation against their own worker [[Nigel Stepney]] in [[Modena]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors=Biranit Goren |title=Ferrari's Stepney faces criminal enquiry |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60025 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 21, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> Stepney's lawyer ruled out sabotage claims,<ref>{{cite news |first=Michele |last=Lostia |authorlink= |coauthors=Jonathan Noble |title=Stepney lawyer rules out sabotage claims |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60078 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 23, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> and Stepney said it's just part of a "dirty tricks" campaign.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Stepney says he has done nothing wrong |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60114 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 24, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> |
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There was also controversy at the rear-end of the grid, as [[Spyker F1|Spyker]] asked the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] to look at the new updates that were put on the Super Aguri at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|Indianapolis]] to see whether the Aguri team are recieving current Honda parts.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Spyker want FIA to look at Aguri updates |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60247 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 29, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> On Saturday, Super Aguri's managing director [[Daniel Audetto]] said "We have rules - they [Spyker] can just protest. Tell them to protest - if I have something to complain about, I will make a protest."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Super Aguri suggest Spyker should protest |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60316 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> |
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[[Robert Kubica]] was back in his [[BMW Sauber|BMW]] after his horrendous crash at the [[2007 Canadian Grand Prix|Canadian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Kubica passes fit to race in France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60219 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 28, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> Early on Saturday, [[Nick Heidfeld]] was cleared to continue in his BMW after experiencing back pains during Friday practice.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Cooper |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Heidfeld cleared to continue |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60311 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> |
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Ferrari dominated both practice sessions on the Friday, with Räikkönen fastest in the 1st Practice Session and [[Felipe Massa]] was fastest in the 2nd Practice Session. Behind the dominant Ferraris, Alonso was third in his McLaren, but seven tenths behind the dominant Ferraris, with his team-mate and World Championship leader [[Lewis Hamilton]] sixth, but lost nearly an hour of the session due to car trouble. The two McLarens were split by [[David Coulthard]] and [[Nico Rosberg]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Ferrari dominate first practice - France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60245 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 29, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> |
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Hanilton managed to recover from his morning trouble to post the fourth fastest time in the 2nd Practice Session on Friday afternoon. The Ferraris were still leading at the front, but Massa was fastest, just 0.035 seconds ahead of Räikkönen. However, one of the major suprises came from [[Scuderia Toro Rosso]], as [[Scott Speed]] posted the third quickest time, with [[Vitantonio Liuzzi]] posting the fifth quickest time! During the session, Liuzzi was involved in a bizarre incident with [[Anthony Davidson]]. Davidson exited his garage, and smashed his Super Aguri into the side of Liuzzi's Torro Liuzzi; knocking his front wing off in the accident.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Cooper |authorlink= |coauthors=Jonathan Noble |title=Davidson blames tight pitlane for crash |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60290 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 29, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> After finishing the first practice session in third, Alonso finished the second practice session down in eigth.<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Ferrari stay on top in practice 2 - France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60260 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 29, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> |
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In the final practice session on Saturday morning, Hamilton managed to beat Ferrari, with the Englishman ahead of second-placed Massa by 0.063 seconds. Hamilton and the two Ferraris completed the top three, but Alonso was again down in eigth, having missed nearly the whole of the session with a faulty brake sensor.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Glendenning |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Minor setback for Alonso in practice |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60321 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> The [[Renault F1|Renault]]s sparked a return to form with [[Heikki Kovalainen]] and [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] fourth and fifth, both ahead of rivals BMW, who were sixth and fifteenth respectively.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Hamilton fastest in third practice - France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60318 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-05 }}</ref> |
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=== Qualifying === |
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Both [[Spyker F1|Spyker]]s and both [[Super Aguri F1|Super Aguri]]s were knocked out of the first phase of qualifying, along with [[Alex Wurz]]s [[Williams F1|Williams]] and [[Vitantonio Liuzzi]]s Torro Rosso. For Super Aguris [[Takuma Sato]], it didn't matter where he qualified, as he was docked ten places, due to overtaking [[Jenson Button]] under yellow flags at the last Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Davidson frustrated by pitlane woes |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60343 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Spykers [[Adrian Sutil]] was hoping for a wet race after a unspectacular qualifying.<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Sutil relying on rain to move up |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60330 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> At the front end of the grid, the McLarens were first and fourth, with Hamilton on top, and the Ferraris splitting them in third and fourth. [[Heikki Kovalainen]] rounded out the top five. |
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[[David Coulthard]] never completed one timed lap in Part Two of Qualifying due to a gearbox problem, and started 16th.<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Coulthard rues reliability issues |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60335 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Both [[Honda F1|Honda]]s were knocked out also, along with [[Mark Webber]], [[Scott Speed]] and [[Ralf Schumacher]]. Both [[Jenson Button|Button]] and [[Rubens Barrichello|Barrichello]] were more happier with the upgraded Honda, with Button saying "the car is certainly better than the last race in Indianapolis, although the positions don't reflect that".<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Drivers say upgraded Honda is a step forward |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60350 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Hamilton was again fastest in Part 2, with team-mate Alonso down in 5th. Massa, Räikkönen and [[Robert Kubica|Kubica]] rounded out the top four. |
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After topping the first-two parts of qualifying, Hamilton dropped to second in the third and final Part, with Massa taking Pole Position, just 0.070 ahead of the Englishman. Masa stated in the post-Qualifying press conference that "it looks like we [Ferrari] are back and fighting",<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Massa delighted with return to form |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60325 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> with Hamilton believing pole was possible had he of not made a mistake at Turn 15.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Hamilton believes pole was possible |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60329 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Räikkönen starts third as he lost time on one corner, which he called "all my fault",<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Raikkonen: error cost me front row slot |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60332 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> but Alonso was further back after qualifying back in tenth after suffering a gearbox problem, which put him out of Part 3. He stated that he'd "prefer a wet race".<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Frustrated Alonso hoping for a wet race |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60327 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Behind Räikkönen was Kubica in fourth, but despite qualifying fifth, [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] believed there was "potential for more" from the Renault.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Fisichella says more to come from Renault |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60337 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Fisichella's team-mate Kovalainen was sixth, with [[Nick Heidfeld]] seventh. [[Jarno Trulli]], [[Nico Rosberg]] and Alonso rounded out the top ten.<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Massa beats Hamilton to France pole |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60324 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Rosberg also had a slight gearbox problem in the final part of qualifying, which he believed cost him a few tenths coming into the final few corners.<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Rosberg hindered by gearbox problem |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60352 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> |
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=== Race === |
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Hours before the race started, sad news reached the Magny-Cours circuit as it was announced that three [[Bridgestone]] employees had died in a helicopter crash on Saturday night,<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Three dead after helicopter crash |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60377 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> and one other badly injured.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Bridgestone employee injured in air crash |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60389 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> One of the people killed, [[Emmanuel Longobardi]] was a popular member of the [[Formula One]] Paddock.<ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Cooper |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Emmanuel Longobardi: 1970 - 2007 |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60453 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 3, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> |
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Massa got off to the best possible start and retained his lead, but Räikkönen passed Hamilton into Turn One. At the back of the field, [[Anthony Davidson]] hit the back of [[Vitantonio Liuzzi]]'s [[Scuderia Toro Rosso|Toro Rosso]]. The Toro Rosso came back onto the track and smashed into the side of the [[Super Aguri F1|Super Aguri]]. Liuzzi said afterwards that "all we can do is wait for Silverstone and hope that the definite improvement we have made with the car pays off".<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Liuzzi laments early exit |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60391 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> At the Adelaide hairpin, [[Jarno Trulli]] rammed into the back of [[Heikki Kovalainen]]. Trulli was out, but Kovalainen continued at the back of the field. Trulli apologised to Kovalainen after the race, and declared it "a racing accident".<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Trulli apologises to Kovalainen |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60393 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> The tangle promoted Alonso up to 8th. |
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[[Robert Kubica]] was quickly losing ground on the two [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]]s and Hamilton. Alonso passed [[Nico Rosberg|Rosberg]] for 7th, and quickly closed in on [[Nick Heidfeld|Heidfeld]], but stayed behind him until he pitted on Lap 16. Alonso attempted to get past on Lap 5, but ran wide, giving the position back to the German. Hamilton also pitted on Lap 16, with Massa pitting on Lap 19 and Räikkönen on Lap 21. |
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Räikkönen decreased Massa's lead back down from 4 seconds to 2 seconds. Alonso passed both Heidfeld and [[Giancarlo Fisichella|Fisichella]] in the middle section of the race. In the second round of stops, Räikkönen pitted two laps after Massa. These two laps extra gave Räikkönen the lead after his second stop, with Massa now second. Alonso pitted for the 2nd time on lap 35. Heidfeld and Fisichella pitted several laps later, and both of them got out in front of Alonso. |
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Räikkönen won the race from team-mate Massa, with Hamilton third. Massa stated that the race win was lost "because of traffic",<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Massa says backmarkers cost him win |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60386 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> while team-mate Räikkönen stated he was "much happier with the car".<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Raikkonen aims to keep momentum going |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60387 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Kubica was a lonely fourth, with Fisichella, Heidfeld, Alonso and [[Jenson Button|Button]] rounding out the points.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Raikkonen leads Ferrari 1-2 in France |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60384 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Despite it being Button's first points of 2007, he said that he's "not getting too excited about it."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Noble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Button not too excited despite first point |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60390 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> Despite finishing seventh, Alonso was still confident about his title chances saying that he hopes the "two points are important at the end of the season."<ref>{{cite news |first=Pablo |last=Elizalde |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Alonso still confident about title chances |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60385 |work= |publisher=Autosport.com |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> |
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== Classification == |
== Classification == |
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=== Qualifying === |
=== Qualifying === |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist|3}} |
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<div class="references-small" {{#if: {{{colwidth|}}}| style="-moz-column-width:{{{colwidth}}}; column-width:{{{colwidth}}};" | {{#if: {{{1|}}}| style="-moz-column-count:{{{1}}}; column-count:{{{1}}} }};" |}}> |
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<references /></div> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
Revision as of 14:34, 7 July 2007
Template:F1 race report infobox The 2007 French Grand Prix was the eighth race of the 2007 Formula One season. It was held on 29 June–1 July at Magny-Cours.[1]
In March 2007, the Fédération Française du Sport (FFSA) announced that it would take a year out of the Formula One world championship in 2008. [2] However, on 31 May, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that the 2007 French Grand Prix would be the last to be held at Magny Cours.[3]
It was won by Kimi Räikkönen of Ferrari, followed by team-mate Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes.
Report
Pre-Race
From the United States Grand Prix, the Formula One teams headed to Silverstone for a three-day test. Nine teams participated in the test at Silverstone, but Honda and Super Aguri opted to test at the Jerez circuit.[4] Neither Ferrari or McLaren were fastest on the first two days at Silverstone, and instead it was Toyota that was fastest on both of the days.[5][6] However, on the third and final day of testing Felipe Massa put Ferrari on top with a time of 1:20.805. The nearest challenger, Nico Rosberg was 0.469 behind, with Fernando Alonso only 0.010 behind Rosberg.[7] With Ferrari fastest on the third day, both of their drivers, Massa and Kimi Räikkönen were very confident heading into the French round of the season.[8][9][10]
However, behind the scenes at Ferrari, the team launched a criminal investigation against their own worker Nigel Stepney in Modena.[11] Stepney's lawyer ruled out sabotage claims,[12] and Stepney said it's just part of a "dirty tricks" campaign.[13]
There was also controversy at the rear-end of the grid, as Spyker asked the FIA to look at the new updates that were put on the Super Aguri at Indianapolis to see whether the Aguri team are recieving current Honda parts.[14] On Saturday, Super Aguri's managing director Daniel Audetto said "We have rules - they [Spyker] can just protest. Tell them to protest - if I have something to complain about, I will make a protest."[15]
Robert Kubica was back in his BMW after his horrendous crash at the Canadian Grand Prix.[16] Early on Saturday, Nick Heidfeld was cleared to continue in his BMW after experiencing back pains during Friday practice.[17]
Ferrari dominated both practice sessions on the Friday, with Räikkönen fastest in the 1st Practice Session and Felipe Massa was fastest in the 2nd Practice Session. Behind the dominant Ferraris, Alonso was third in his McLaren, but seven tenths behind the dominant Ferraris, with his team-mate and World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton sixth, but lost nearly an hour of the session due to car trouble. The two McLarens were split by David Coulthard and Nico Rosberg.[18]
Hanilton managed to recover from his morning trouble to post the fourth fastest time in the 2nd Practice Session on Friday afternoon. The Ferraris were still leading at the front, but Massa was fastest, just 0.035 seconds ahead of Räikkönen. However, one of the major suprises came from Scuderia Toro Rosso, as Scott Speed posted the third quickest time, with Vitantonio Liuzzi posting the fifth quickest time! During the session, Liuzzi was involved in a bizarre incident with Anthony Davidson. Davidson exited his garage, and smashed his Super Aguri into the side of Liuzzi's Torro Liuzzi; knocking his front wing off in the accident.[19] After finishing the first practice session in third, Alonso finished the second practice session down in eigth.[20]
In the final practice session on Saturday morning, Hamilton managed to beat Ferrari, with the Englishman ahead of second-placed Massa by 0.063 seconds. Hamilton and the two Ferraris completed the top three, but Alonso was again down in eigth, having missed nearly the whole of the session with a faulty brake sensor.[21] The Renaults sparked a return to form with Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella fourth and fifth, both ahead of rivals BMW, who were sixth and fifteenth respectively.[22]
Qualifying
Both Spykers and both Super Aguris were knocked out of the first phase of qualifying, along with Alex Wurzs Williams and Vitantonio Liuzzis Torro Rosso. For Super Aguris Takuma Sato, it didn't matter where he qualified, as he was docked ten places, due to overtaking Jenson Button under yellow flags at the last Grand Prix.[23] Spykers Adrian Sutil was hoping for a wet race after a unspectacular qualifying.[24] At the front end of the grid, the McLarens were first and fourth, with Hamilton on top, and the Ferraris splitting them in third and fourth. Heikki Kovalainen rounded out the top five.
David Coulthard never completed one timed lap in Part Two of Qualifying due to a gearbox problem, and started 16th.[25] Both Hondas were knocked out also, along with Mark Webber, Scott Speed and Ralf Schumacher. Both Button and Barrichello were more happier with the upgraded Honda, with Button saying "the car is certainly better than the last race in Indianapolis, although the positions don't reflect that".[26] Hamilton was again fastest in Part 2, with team-mate Alonso down in 5th. Massa, Räikkönen and Kubica rounded out the top four.
After topping the first-two parts of qualifying, Hamilton dropped to second in the third and final Part, with Massa taking Pole Position, just 0.070 ahead of the Englishman. Masa stated in the post-Qualifying press conference that "it looks like we [Ferrari] are back and fighting",[27] with Hamilton believing pole was possible had he of not made a mistake at Turn 15.[28] Räikkönen starts third as he lost time on one corner, which he called "all my fault",[29] but Alonso was further back after qualifying back in tenth after suffering a gearbox problem, which put him out of Part 3. He stated that he'd "prefer a wet race".[30] Behind Räikkönen was Kubica in fourth, but despite qualifying fifth, Giancarlo Fisichella believed there was "potential for more" from the Renault.[31] Fisichella's team-mate Kovalainen was sixth, with Nick Heidfeld seventh. Jarno Trulli, Nico Rosberg and Alonso rounded out the top ten.[32] Rosberg also had a slight gearbox problem in the final part of qualifying, which he believed cost him a few tenths coming into the final few corners.[33]
Race
Hours before the race started, sad news reached the Magny-Cours circuit as it was announced that three Bridgestone employees had died in a helicopter crash on Saturday night,[34] and one other badly injured.[35] One of the people killed, Emmanuel Longobardi was a popular member of the Formula One Paddock.[36]
Massa got off to the best possible start and retained his lead, but Räikkönen passed Hamilton into Turn One. At the back of the field, Anthony Davidson hit the back of Vitantonio Liuzzi's Toro Rosso. The Toro Rosso came back onto the track and smashed into the side of the Super Aguri. Liuzzi said afterwards that "all we can do is wait for Silverstone and hope that the definite improvement we have made with the car pays off".[37] At the Adelaide hairpin, Jarno Trulli rammed into the back of Heikki Kovalainen. Trulli was out, but Kovalainen continued at the back of the field. Trulli apologised to Kovalainen after the race, and declared it "a racing accident".[38] The tangle promoted Alonso up to 8th.
Robert Kubica was quickly losing ground on the two Ferraris and Hamilton. Alonso passed Rosberg for 7th, and quickly closed in on Heidfeld, but stayed behind him until he pitted on Lap 16. Alonso attempted to get past on Lap 5, but ran wide, giving the position back to the German. Hamilton also pitted on Lap 16, with Massa pitting on Lap 19 and Räikkönen on Lap 21.
Räikkönen decreased Massa's lead back down from 4 seconds to 2 seconds. Alonso passed both Heidfeld and Fisichella in the middle section of the race. In the second round of stops, Räikkönen pitted two laps after Massa. These two laps extra gave Räikkönen the lead after his second stop, with Massa now second. Alonso pitted for the 2nd time on lap 35. Heidfeld and Fisichella pitted several laps later, and both of them got out in front of Alonso.
Räikkönen won the race from team-mate Massa, with Hamilton third. Massa stated that the race win was lost "because of traffic",[39] while team-mate Räikkönen stated he was "much happier with the car".[40] Kubica was a lonely fourth, with Fisichella, Heidfeld, Alonso and Button rounding out the points.[41] Despite it being Button's first points of 2007, he said that he's "not getting too excited about it."[42] Despite finishing seventh, Alonso was still confident about his title chances saying that he hopes the "two points are important at the end of the season."[43]
Classification
Qualifying
Pos | Name | Team/Engine | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1:15.303 | 1:14.822 | 1:15.034 |
2 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:14.805 | 1:14.795 | 1:15.104 |
3 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 1:14.872 | 1:14.828 | 1:15.257 |
4 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 1:15.778 | 1:15.066 | 1:15.493 |
5 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 1:16.047 | 1:15.227 | 1:15.674 |
6 | Heikki Kovalainen | Renault | 1:15.524 | 1:15.272 | 1:15.826 |
7 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 1:15.783 | 1:15.149 | 1:15.900 |
8 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 1:16.118 | 1:15.379 | 1:15.935 |
9 | Nico Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 1:16.092 | 1:15.331 | 1:16.328 |
10 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren-Mercedes | 1:15.322 | 1:15.084 | Gearbox |
11 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | 1:15.760 | 1:15.534 | |
12 | Jenson Button | Honda | 1:16.113 | 1:15.584 | |
13 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | 1:16.140 | 1:15.761 | |
14 | Mark Webber | Red Bull-Renault | 1:15.746 | 1:15.806 | |
15 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1:15.980 | 1:16.049 | |
16 | David Coulthard | Red Bull-Renault | 1:15.915 | Gearbox | |
17 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1:16.142 | ||
18 | Alexander Wurz | Williams-Toyota | 1:16.241 | ||
19 | Anthony Davidson | Super Aguri-Honda | 1:16.366 | ||
20 | Christijan Albers | Spyker-Ferrari | 1:17.826 | ||
21 | Adrian Sutil | Spyker-Ferrari | 1:17.915 | ||
22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri-Honda | 1:16.244 |
- Takuma Sato demoted to 22nd place due to penalty imposed after US Grand Prix
Race
Pos | No | Driver | Team | Laps | Time/Retired | Grid | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 70 | 1:30:54.200 | 3 | 10 |
2 | 5 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 70 | +2.4 secs | 1 | 8 |
3 | 2 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 70 | +32.1 secs | 2 | 6 |
4 | 10 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 70 | +41.7 secs | 4 | 5 |
5 | 9 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 70 | +48.8 secs | 7 | 4 |
6 | 3 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault | 70 | +52.2 secs | 5 | 3 |
7 | 1 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren-Mercedes | 70 | +56.5 secs | 10 | 2 |
8 | 7 | Jenson Button | Honda | 70 | +58.8 secs | 12 | 1 |
9 | 16 | Nico Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 70 | +1:08.5 secs | 9 | |
10 | 11 | Ralf Schumacher | Toyota | 69 | +1 lap | 11 | |
11 | 8 | Rubens Barrichello | Honda | 69 | +1 lap | 13 | |
12 | 15 | Mark Webber | Red Bull-Renault | 69 | +1 lap | 14 | |
13 | 14 | David Coulthard | Red Bull-Renault | 69 | +1 lap | 16 | |
14 | 17 | Alexander Wurz | Williams-Toyota | 69 | +1 lap | 18 | |
15 | 4 | Heikki Kovalainen | Renault | 69 | +1 lap | 6 | |
16 | 22 | Takuma Sato | Super Aguri-Honda | 68 | +2 laps | 22 | |
17 | 20 | Adrian Sutil | Spyker-Ferrari | 68 | +2 laps | 21 | |
Ret | 19 | Scott Speed | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 55 | Gearbox | 15 | |
Ret | 21 | Christijan Albers | Spyker-Ferrari | 28 | Refuelling accident | 20 | |
Ret | 23 | Anthony Davidson | Super Aguri-Honda | 1 | Accident damage | 19 | |
Ret | 12 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 1 | Accident damage | 7 | |
Ret | 18 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 0 | Accident | 17 |
Notes
- Lap Leaders: Felipe Massa (1-19) and (23-49) Kimi Räikkönen (20-22) and (50-70)
References
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External links