1995 French Grand Prix

French Grand Prix – Magny-Cours, 2 July 1995 – 72 laps of 2.64 mile circuit (190.08 miles)

1: Michael Schumacher – Benneton B195-Renault V10 – 1h 38m 28.429s
2: Damon Hill – Williams FW17-Renault V10 – 1h 38m 59.738s
3: David Coulthard – Williams FW17-Renault V10 – 1h 39m 31.255s
4: Martin Brundle – Ligier JS41-Mugen Honda V10 – 1h 39m 31.722s
5: Jean Alesi- Ferrar 412 T2-Ferrari V12 – 1h 39m 46.298s
6: Rubens Barrichello – Jordan 195-Peugeot V10 – 71 laps

The race in brief

Damon Hill’s Williams make the better start from pole and jumps into the lead from Michael Schumacher. Hill’s team-mate, David Coulthard, drops down to fourth behind the Jordan of Rubens Barrichello when forced to back-off behind the German’s Benetton, with Panis (Ligier) and Herbert (Benetton) fifth and sixth. Katayama’s Tyrrell and Inoue’s Arrows collide at first corner; Martini spins his Minardi in avoidance and Diniz (Forti) and the Pacific of Montermini tangle, with only Montmermini continuing after repairs to suspension.

Alesi’s Ferrari taps Herbert into a spin at the hairpin on lap 3, the Briton retiring early for the second race running. Herbert is slapped with a $10,000 fine after jumping the start, thus bringing into effect his suspended sentence from Montreal for the same offence.

Coulthard moves up to third and Herbert to fourth when Barrichello and Panis both come in for their stop-go penalties on lap 11.

Schumacher becomes the first of the leaders to pit for fuel on lap 10, dropping briefly to third until Coulthard stops a lap later. Brundle makes the first of three stops at the same time as Schumacher.

Having lost precious seconds behind backmarkers, leader Hill makes his first stop on lap 21 as Schumacher sets a new fastest race lap of 1m 20.239s. Rejoins second, now nearly eight seconds behind Schumacher.

Berger drops from third to 17th after a disastrous pit stop on lap 22. Refuelling nozzle refuses to engage for an eternity and the Ferrari is stationary for nearly a minute. Brundle moves into third from Coulthard at the latter’s first stop.

Martini retires his Minardi with gearbox trouble on lap 23, followed a lap later by Gachot’s Pacific with the same malady.

Brundle comes in for the second time on lap 34 and drops to fifth behind Coulthard and Alesi.

Hill is brought in slightly early for second stop on lap 43 and is faced with dilemma over tyres. Huge raindrops point to wets but Hill radios in to make it clear he wants slicks. Rejoins second.

Coulthard pits on lap 46 for his final stop and drops to fourth behind Brundle again. Alesi also stops, slipping from fourth to sixth.

With 25 laps to go Schumacher comes in for a second time on lap 47. He emerges still with a 14 second lead.

Boullion is the last of the retirements on lap 48, his Sauber succumbing to transmission problems.

Schumacher wins after 72 laps with Hill second 31.309 seconds behind. Brundle attempts to steal third from Coulthard with a dive inside the Scot at the last corner. Unsuccessful, he finishes less than half a second down, but well clear of Alesi and Barrichello.