French GP 1993

French GP, 1993

There was a three-week gap after the Canadian GP and so there was time for everyone to get worked up about the FIA's plans to introduce an immediate ban on electronic systems. There were other announcements too with sponsors Camel and Canon both withdrawing from F1 but Williams announcing a new deal for 1994 with Rothmans to replace Canon. Ayrton Senna, who had thus far driven on a race-to-race basis with McLaren, was finally committed to racing with the team for the rest of the season but was already close to a deal with Williams for 1994.

At Magny-Cours Damon Hill took his first pole position, beating Alain Prost into second place. Then came the two Ligier-Renaults of Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell (this being the team's home track) and then came Senna, ahead of an inspired Jean Alesi (Ferrari), Michael Schumacher (Benetton), the impressive young Rubens Barrichello (Jordan-Hart) and then the two Larrousses of Erik Comas and Philippe Alliot. Riccardo Patrese (Benetton) was an unhappy 12th, Gerhard Berger was a confused 14th in his Ferrari and Michael Andretti (McLaren) was in real trouble in 16th.

At the start Hill and Prost both got away well with the two Ligiers and Senna in pursuit while Schumacher pounced on Jean Alesi. After four laps Jean fell behind Barrichello as well. On lap 14 the leaders were lapping Andrea de Cesaris's Tyrrell when he swerved in front of Blundell and sent him spinning out of the race. At the mid-race pit stops Hill was held up by other cars in the pitlane and lost the lead to Prost. There was then a half minute gap back to Brundle who had Senna and Schumacher right with him. With a second round of pit stops Senna and Schumacher got ahead of Brundle. Michael then chased Senna and overtook him in traffic, Senna being rammed by Derek Warwick (Footwork).

Prost duly led home Hill and Schumacher with Senna fourth and Brundle fifth while the battle for sixth between Andretti and Barrichello was decided two laps from the finish as the American went ahead.

POSNODRIVERENTRANTLAPSTIME/RETIREMENTQUAL POS
1 2 Alain Prost Williams-Renault  72 1h38m35.241s  2 
2 0 Damon Hill Williams-Renault  72 1h38m35.583s  1 
3 5 Michael Schumacher Benetton-Cosworth  72 1h38m56.450s  7 
4 8 Ayrton Senna McLaren-Cosworth  72 1h39m07.646s  5 
5 25 Martin Brundle Ligier-Renault  72 1h39m09.036s  3 
6 7 Michael Andretti McLaren-Cosworth  71 1h39m09.036s  16 
7 14 Rubens Barrichello Jordan-Hart  71  8 
8 23 Christian Fittipaldi Minardi-Cosworth  71  23 
9 19 Philippe Alliot Larrousse-Lamborghini  70  10 
10 6 Riccardo Patrese Benetton-Cosworth  70  12 
11 15 Thierry Boutsen Jordan-Hart  70  20 
12 10 Aguri Suzuki Footwork-Mugen Honda  70  13 
13 9 Derek Warwick Footwork-Mugen Honda  70  15 
14 28 Gerhard Berger Ferrari  70  14 
15 4 Andrea de Cesaris Tyrrell-Yamaha  68  25 
16r 20 Erik Comas Larrousse-Lamborghini  66 Gearbox 9 
r 27 Jean Alesi Ferrari  47 Engine 6 
r 22 Luca Badoer Lola-Ferrari  28 Suspension 22 
r 29 Karl Wendlinger Sauber-Ilmor  25 Gearbox 11 
r 30 JJ Lehto Sauber-Ilmor  22 Gearbox 18 
r 26 Mark Blundell Ligier-Renault  20 Spin 4 
r 12 Johnny Herbert Lotus-Cosworth  16 Spin 19 
r 24 Fabrizio Barbazza Minardi-Cosworth  16 Gearbox 24 
r 3 Ukyo Katayama Tyrrell-Yamaha  9 Oil Leak 21 
r 11 Alessando Zanardi Lotus-Cosworth  3 Suspension 17 
nq 21 Michele Alboreto Lola-Ferrari    26