1996 European Grand Prix

The 1996 European Grand Prix, otherwise known as the XLI Großer Preis von Europa, was the fourth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Nürburgring near Nürburg, Germany, on the 28 April 1996.'European GP, 1996', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr585.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019) The race would see Jacques Villeneuve sweep to his first Grand Prix victory in only his fourth race, almost fifteen years after his father Gilles Villeneuve's final win in 1981.
The weekend would begin in a similar fashion to the previous rounds in 1996, with Damon Hill sweeping to pole position, three quarters of a second clear of teammate Villeneuve. Michael Schumacher was best of the rest in third for , with Jean Alesi completing the top four for .
Raceday dawned cold and misty, although the worst of the mist would burn off before the start despite the skies remaining rather dull. Fortunately the start would be anything but dull, with Hill, Schumacher and Alesi making poor getaways.
That allowed Villeneuve to take the lead off the grid, although it was David Coulthard who stole the show, streaking from sixth to second in the . Another man to make an impressive start was Rubens Barrichello, streaking up to third, while Schumacher scrambled ahead of Hill to secure fourth.
With Coulthard behind him Villeneuve was able to escape up the road, for the McLaren, while fast on the straight, was not able to match the Williams in the corners. However, it also made the Scot hard to pass, with Barrichello, Schumacher and Hill unable to get past.
Indeed, Schumacher was so focused on passing Barrichello's that he almost forgot the presence of Hill, and hence slipped wide after a lunge around the outside of the McLaren and let Hill slip through to fourth. Hill then tried in vain to find a way past the Brazilian, before the #5 Williams began to drop back from the Jordan shortly before the stops.
Hill duly made an early stop for a quick check on his car, resulting in both Patrick Head and Adrian Newey sliding under the car in the pitlane for a look. They could not see anything and so Hill was released, albeit having lost twelve seconds to the Coulthard company.
Indeed, there would be some other major shuffles, with Schumacher leaping into second after a stunning stop from Ferrari, while Barrichello slipped back towards Mika Häkkinen after a slow stop. Villeneuve, meanwhile, would look imperious out front, although after the stops it was Schumacher who dictated the pace.
Schumacher duly caught the back of the Canadian with fifteen laps to go, and steadily wound up the pressure in a bid to claim the lead. As their fight played out Hill would lose more time with a trip through the gravel, having aborted an attempt to pass Pedro Diniz, and hence had to work his way back up the order from tenth.
Out front, meanwhile, Villeneuve would resist Schumacher through to the chequered flag, securing a memorable maiden victory on the German's home soil. Coulthard, meanwhile, would have to work hard in the closing stages to keep Hill at bay to complete the podium, with Rubens Barrichello having also joined their fight. Less than a second covered the trio as they crossed the finish line.
==Background==
Victory for Damon Hill saw the British racer continue his dominant start to the season, leaving Argentina with a maximum score of 30 points. Jacques Villeneuve remained the closest thing to a challenger to the Brit, albeit already eighteen points behind after three races. Jean Alesi, meanwhile, would end the weekend in third ahead of Eddie Irvine, with Mika Häkkinen completing the top five.
In the Constructors Championship it was who had once again proved to be the class of the field, leaving Argentina with 42 points to their name. were now their closest challengers, 29 points behind, with three points further back in third. were next ahead of , with eight constructors on the board after three rounds.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
2 	Eddie Irvine 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
4 	Gerhard Berger 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
5 	Damon Hill 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
8 	David Coulthard 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
9 	Olivier Panis 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
10 	Pedro Diniz 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
11 	Rubens Barrichello 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
12 	Martin Brundle 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
14 	Johnny Herbert 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
16 	Ricardo Rosset 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
17 	Jos Verstappen 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
18 	Ukyo Katayama 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
19 	Mika Salo 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
20 	Pedro Lamy 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
22 	Luca Badoer 	Forti Corse 	 	FG01B 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
23 	Andrea Montermini 	Forti Corse 	 	FG01B 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	1:18.941 	— 	207.770 km/h
2 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:19.721 	+0.780s 	205.738 km/h
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:20.149 	+1.208s 	204.639 km/h
4 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:20.711 	+1.770s 	203.214 km/h
5 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:20.818 	+1.877s 	202.945 km/h
6 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	1:20.888 	+1.947s 	202.769 km/h
7 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:20.931 	+1.990s 	202.662 km/h
8 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:21.054 	+2.113s 	202.354 km/h
9 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:21.078 	+2.137s 	202.294 km/h
10 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:21.113 	+2.172s 	202.207 km/h
11 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:21.177 	+2.236s 	202.047 km/h
12 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:21.210 	+2.269s 	201.965 km/h
13 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:21.367 	+2.426s 	201.576 km/h
14 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:21.458 	+2.517s 	201.350 km/h
15 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:21.509 	+2.568s 	201.224 km/h
16 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:21.812 	+2.871s 	200.479 km/h
17 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:22.733 	+3.792s 	198.247 km/h
18 	21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:22.921 	+3.980s 	197.798 km/h
19 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	1:23.139 	+4.198s 	197.279 km/h
20 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	1:23.620 	+4.679s 	196.144 km/h
107% Time: 1:24.467 	107% Time: 1:24.467 	107% Time: 1:24.467 	107% Time: 1:24.467 	107% Time: 1:24.467 	107% Time: 1:24.467 	107% Time: 1:24.467
NC 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	1:25.053 	+6.112s 	192.840 km/h
NC 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:25.840 	+6.899s 	191.072 km/h
Source:'Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/641/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Europe 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/641/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Europe 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/641/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Europe 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/641/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Europe 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/641/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Europe 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/641/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Europe 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/641/europe/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Europe 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
*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 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	67 	1:33:26.473 	2 	10
2 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	67 	+0.762s 	3 	6
3 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	67 	+32.834s 	6 	4
4 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	67 	+33.511s 	1 	3
5 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	67 	+33.713s 	5 	2
6 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	67 	+55.567s 	11 	1
7 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	67 	+1:18.027 	12 	
8 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	67 	+1:18.438 	9 	
9 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	67 	+1:21.061 	8 	
10 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	66 	+1 Lap 	17 	
11 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	65 	+2 Laps 	20 	
12 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	65 	+2 Laps 	19 	
13 	21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	65 	+2 Laps 	18 	
DSQ* 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	66 	Disqualified 	14 	
DSQ† 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	65 	Disqualified 	16 	
Ret 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	59 	Brakes 	10 	
Ret 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	38 	Engine 	13 	
Ret 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	6 	Collision 	15 	
Ret 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	6 	Electrical 	7 	
Ret 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	1 	Collision 	4 	
DNQ 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	 	 	 	
DNQ 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Europe 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Salo was disqualified from the results of the race after his car was found to be underweight.
*† Katayama was disqualified from the results of the race after receiving a push-start.
==Milestones==
* Twentieth Grand Prix entry for Pedro Lamy.'1996 European GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1996&gp=European%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
* Maiden victory for Jacques Villeneuve.'4. Europe 1996', statsf1.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/europe.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
* registered their 87th victory as a constructor.
** scored their 78th win as an engine supplier.
* Michael Schumacher claimed his 40th podium finish.
* Tenth podium finish for David Coulthard.
** This was also the twentieth podium for a engine.
==Standings==
Damon Hill left the Nürburgring with his Championship lead largely intact, although Jacques Villeneuve had cut the gap down to eleven points. Indeed, it seemed as if the Canadian racer would be the only real challenger to the Brit with a quarter of the season down, with third placed Jean Alesi now 23 points back. The Frenchman was not alone in third, however, with Michael Schumacher level with Alesi on ten points, and with an identical race record.
In the Constructors Championship, meanwhile, it looked to be 's Championship to lose, leaving the European Grand Prix with 55 points to their name. That translated into a crushing 39 point lead over in second, meaning the Anglo-French squad could afford to miss two rounds and still hold a fair lead. Ferrari themselves, meanwhile, had moved ahead of , while and retained their places in the top five.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Damon Hill 	33 	
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	22 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	10 	
4 	Michael Schumacher 	10 	2
5 	Eddie Irvine 	6 	1
6 	Mika Häkkinen 	5 	1
7 	Rubens Barrichello 	5 	2
8 	David Coulthard 	4 	4
9 	Gerhard Berger 	3 	2
10 	Mika Salo 	3 	1
11 	Olivier Panis 	1 	1
12 	Martin Brundle 	1 	8
13 	Jos Verstappen 	1 	2
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	55 	
2 	 	16 	1
3 	 	13 	1
4 	 	9 	
5 	 	6 	
6 	 	3 	
7 	 	1 	
8 	 	1 	
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:1996 Grands Prix
Category:European Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Germany