1993 French Grand Prix

The LXXIX Rhone-Poulenc Grand Prix de France, otherwise known as the 1993 French Grand Prix, was the eighth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in Magny-Cours, France, on the 4 July 1993.'French GP, 1993', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr540.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019) The race would see the two s duel for victory, with Championship leader Alain Prost just beating teammate Damon Hill.
Indeed, it would be a mixed start to the weekend for Williams, with news that they were to lose title sponsor Canon, as well as major sponsors Camel. Furthermore, the squad were set to be one of the big losers over the winter amid conformation that active suspension would be banned, although they did secure a deal with Rothmans to become the title sponsor for .
Qualifying would see Hill sweep to a maiden pole position, beating teammate Prost for the first time. Behind came the two Renault engined, and Magny-Cours based, s of Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell, while Ayrton Senna could only muster fifth ahead of Jean Alesi.
It was an even getaway for Hill and Prost at the start, with the Brit just easing ahead as they swept into the first corner. They were chased by the two Ligier-Renaults and Senna, while Michael Schumacher got the jump on Alesi to claim sixth.
Alesi duly slipped behind Rubens Barrichello in the early stages, as the two Williams tried to break away from Brundle and co., but to no avail. Indeed, the top six were still together when they began lapping the backmarkers, with Blundell getting spun out of the race by Andrea de Cesaris on lap 14.
Otherwise the race proved fairly tame, with Hill keeping Prost at arm's length, while Senna found himself unable to get on terms with Brundle. Indeed, it was only in the build up to the pitstops that the Williams eventually broke clear, only for traffic in the pitlane to drop Hill behind Prost.
The race duly settled down once again, with Hill easing back towards Prost, while Senna and Schumacher looked for a way past Brundle. Their chance duly came when the field dived into the pits for a third set of tyres, with the #8 , as well as the #5 getting the jump on the Ligier.
Schumacher would go on to pass Senna when the Brazilian got caught in traffic, with Senna also receiving a thumb from Derek Warwick to add to his woes. Out front, meanwhile, Hill would just fall shy of Prost on the final tour, with the two Williams flying in formation across the line to claim a one-two for Renault on home soil. Schumacher completed the podium ahead of Senna's wounded McLaren, keeping Brundle at bay late on, while Michael Andretti battled into sixth ahead of Barrichello.
==Background==
There had been a complete role reversal atop the Championship as a result of the Canadian Grand Prix, with Alain Prost establishing a five point lead, having arrived in North America five behind. Indeed, Ayrton Senna was now the driver who sat in second, with those two remaining the only major pretenders for the title. A twenty point gap followed to third placed Damon Hill, who was set to fight for third with Michael Schumacher.
In the Constructors Championship it had been a very strong day for , who moved onto 69 points after their double podium. That meant that they held a 25 point lead over , meaning there was a bigger gap between the lead duo then there was between McLaren and third placed . Elsewhere, had continued to hold fourth, while had moved up the table to fifth, but were still yet to break into double figures for the season.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
0 	Damon Hill 	Canon Williams Team 	 	FW15C 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
2 	Alain Prost 	Canon Williams Team 	 	FW15C 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
3 	Ukyo Katayama 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	020C 	 	OX10A 3.5 V10 	
4 	Andrea de Cesaris 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	020C 	 	OX10A 3.5 V10 	
5 	Michael Schumacher 	Camel Benetton Ford 	 	B193B 	 	HBA7 3.5 V8 	
6 	Riccardo Patrese 	Camel Benetton Ford 	 	B193B 	 	HBA7 3.5 V8 	
7 	Michael Andretti 	Marlboro McLaren 	 	MP4/8 	 	HBE7 3.5 V8 	
8 	Ayrton Senna 	Marlboro McLaren 	 	MP4/8 	 	HBE7 3.5 V8 	
9 	Derek Warwick 	Footwork Mugen Honda 	 	FA14 	 	MF351HB 3.5 V10 	
10 	Aguri Suzuki 	Footwork Mugen Honda 	 	FA14 	 	MF351HB 3.5 V10 	
11 	Alex Zanardi 	Team Lotus 	 	107B 	 	HBD6 3.5 V8 	
12 	Johnny Herbert 	Team Lotus 	 	107B 	 	HBD6 3.5 V8 	
14 	Rubens Barrichello 	Sasol Jordan 	 	193 	 	1035 3.5 V10 	
15 	Thierry Boutsen 	Sasol Jordan 	 	193 	 	1035 3.5 V10 	
19 	Philippe Alliot 	Larrousse F1 	 	LH93 	 	3512 3.5 V12 	
20 	Érik Comas 	Larrousse F1 	 	LH93 	 	3512 3.5 V12 	
21 	Michele Alboreto 	BMS Lola Scuderia Italia 	 	T93/30 	 	040 3.5 V12 	
22 	Luca Badoer 	BMS Lola Scuderia Italia 	 	T93/30 	 	040 3.5 V12 	
23 	Christian Fittipaldi 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M193 	 	HBC6 3.5 V8 	
24 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M193 	 	HBC6 3.5 V8 	
25 	Martin Brundle 	Ligier Gitanes Blondes 	 	JS39 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
26 	Mark Blundell 	Ligier Gitanes Blondes 	 	JS39 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
27 	Jean Alesi 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F93A 	 	041 3.5 V12 	
28 	Gerhard Berger 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F93A 	 	041 3.5 V12 	
29 	Karl Wendlinger 	Team Sauber F1 	 	C12 	 	2175A 3.5 V10 	
30 	JJ Lehto 	Team Sauber F1 	 	C12 	 	2175A 3.5 V10 	
Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Friday Qualifying===
===Saturday Qualifying===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Time 	Gap
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Q1 	Q2 	Gap
1 	0 	Damon Hill 	 	1:15.051 	1:14.382 	—
2 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	1:15.725 	1:14.524 	+0.142s
3 	25 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:16.847 	1:16.169 	+1.787s
4 	26 	Mark Blundell 	 	1:16.834 	1:16.203 	+1.821s
5 	8 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:16.782 	1:16.264 	+1.882s
6 	27 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:16.825 	1:16.662 	+2.280s
7 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:16.720 	1:16.745 	+2.338s
8 	14 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:17.345 	1:17.168 	+2.786s
9 	20 	Érik Comas 	 	1:18.180 	1:17.170 	+2.788s
10 	19 	Philippe Alliot 	 	1:18.230 	1:17.190 	+2.808s
11 	29 	Karl Wendlinger 	 	1:17.650 	1:17.315 	+2.933s
12 	6 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:17.675 	1:17.362 	+2.980s
13 	10 	Aguri Suzuki 	 	1:17.441 	1:17.518 	+3.059s
14 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:18.741 	1:17.456 	+3.074s
15 	9 	Derek Warwick 	 	1:19.180 	1:17.598 	+3.216s
16 	7 	Michael Andretti 	 	1:18.585 	1:17.659 	+3.277s
17 	11 	Alex Zanardi 	 	1:18.331 	1:17.706 	+3.324s
18 	30 	JJ Lehto 	 	1:19.252 	1:17.812 	+3.430s
19 	12 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:17.862 	1:18.104 	+3.480s
20 	15 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:18.685 	1:17.997 	+3.615s
21 	3 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:20.553 	1:19.143 	+4.761s
22 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:21.931 	1:19.493 	+5.111s
23 	23 	Christian Fittipaldi 	 	1:19.968 	1:19.519 	+5.137s
24 	24 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	 	1:21.113 	1:19.691 	+5.309s
25 	4 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	1:21.024 	1:19.856 	+5.474s
DNQ 	21 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:22.106 	1:20.130 	+5.748s
Source:'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'France 1993: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'France 1993: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'France 1993: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'France 1993: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'France 1993: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'France 1993: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'Rhone Poulenc French Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/597/france/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 27/07/2019)'France 1993: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	72 	1:38:35.241 	2 	10
2 	0 	Damon Hill 	 	72 	+0.342s 	1 	6
3 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	72 	+21.209s 	7 	4
4 	8 	Ayrton Senna 	 	72 	+32.405s 	5 	3
5 	25 	Martin Brundle 	 	72 	+33.795s 	3 	2
6 	7 	Michael Andretti 	 	71 	+1 Lap 	16 	1
7 	14 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	71 	+1 Lap 	8 	
8 	23 	Christian Fittipaldi 	 	71 	+1 Lap 	23 	
9 	19 	Philippe Alliot 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	10 	
10 	6 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	12 	
11 	15 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	20 	
12 	10 	Aguri Suzuki 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	13 	
13 	9 	Derek Warwick 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	15 	
14 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	14 	
15 	4 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	68 	+4 Laps 	25 	
16* 	20 	Érik Comas 	 	66 	Gearbox 	9 	
Ret 	27 	Jean Alesi 	 	47 	Engine 	6 	
Ret 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	28 	Suspension 	22 	
Ret 	29 	Karl Wendlinger 	 	25 	Gearbox 	11 	
Ret 	30 	JJ Lehto 	 	22 	Gearbox 	18 	
Ret 	26 	Mark Blundell 	 	20 	Spin 	4 	
Ret 	12 	Johnny Herbert 	 	16 	Spin 	19 	
Ret 	24 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	 	16 	Gearbox 	24 	
Ret 	3 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	12 	Gearbox 	21 	
Ret 	11 	Alex Zanardi 	 	9 	Suspension 	17 	
DNQ 	21 	Michele Alboreto 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)	Source:'France 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Comas was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* 150th Grand Prix start for Ayrton Senna.'8. France 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/france.aspx, (Accessed 27/07/2019)
* Aguri Suzuki made his 50th start.
* 20th entry for Fabrizio Barbazza.'1993 French GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1993&gp=French%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 27/07/2019)
* 10th entry for a car using #0 as its race number.
* Maiden pole position for Damon Hill.
** Also the first pole for a car using #0 as its race number.
** This was also the 60th pole for a chassis.
* 49th career victory for Alain Prost.
** Also the Frenchman's 100th podium finish.
* Williams registered their 66th victory as a constructor.
** secured their 46th win as an engine manufacturer.
* Michael Schumacher recorded the 50th fastest lap for a car using #5 as its race number.
==Standings==
With half the season completed it was Alain Prost who had control of the Championship, leaving his home race with 57 points to his name. Ayrton Senna was his closest challenger, with a twelve point gap between himself and his nemesis heading into the second half of the campaign. Behind, Damon Hill was a distant third, four ahead of Michael Schumacher, while Martin Brundle completed the mid-season top five.
In the Constructors Championship it was who held sway at the midpoint of the season, leaving France with 85 points. Their closest challengers were compatriots , who ventured into the second half of the campaign on 48 points, some 37 behind the leaders. Elsewhere the Ford factory backed squad were sat in a lonely third, with almost double the points of in fourth.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Alain Prost 	57 	
2 	Ayrton Senna 	45 	
3 	Damon Hill 	28 	
4 	Michael Schumacher 	24 	
5 	Martin Brundle 	9 	
6 	Mark Blundell 	6 	
7 	Johnny Herbert 	6 	
8 	Christian Fittipaldi 	5 	
9 	JJ Lehto 	5 	
10 	Riccardo Patrese 	5 	
11 	Gerhard Berger 	5 	
12 	Jean Alesi 	4 	
13 	Michael Andretti 	3 	1
14 	Philippe Alliot 	2 	1
15 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	2 	
16 	Alex Zanardi 	1 	
17 	Karl Wendlinger 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	85 	
2 	 	48 	
3 	 	29 	
4 	 	15 	
5 	 	9 	
6 	 	7 	
7 	 	7 	
8 	 	6 	
9 	 	2 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1993 Grands Prix
Category:French Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in France