Schumacher in a class of his own!

Andrew Frankl
European Bureau Chief

Just as I predicted a boring race at a boring circuit the elements intervened and turned the last few laps into a classic!

Things started off quite normally with pole-man Michael taking an immediate lead and with the unluckiest man of the year -of course I am writing about Damon Hill -visiting the gravel almost immediately. Luckily the 1996 champion he was able to exctricate himself to finish a lowly 12th.

With the rain stopping play at Wimbledon across the Channel for almost a week it was hardly surprising that the same grey clouds played their part in the outcome of the French Grand Prix as well.

With just 10 of the 72 laps remaining and Schumacher leading majestically the heavens opened. Remembering what happened at Monaco a few weeks ago the Williams drivers were in two minds about what to do. Jacques Villeneuve, anxious to make amends for his huge mistake in Montreal just two weeks ago did rush in to the pits for intermediate tyres whilst second placed Frentzen decided to take his chances and stayed out on slicks just like the Ferrari driver in front of him.

Schumacher did make a small mistake and put his car on the gravel for a moment but was able to control the situation all the way to the chequered flag. Behind him former team mate Frentzen was delighted to be in the points in second place. As regular readers know by now he is desperate to hang on to his place in the Williams team but it won't be easy although these six points must have helped. With both Eddie Irvine and Villenuve stopping to get intermediate tyres there was an almighty scramble for third place. It was all decided on the last corner of the last lap. Jacques, also pretty anxious to get on the podium had a do or die go at the No 2 Ferrari pilot. It did not come off! He slid into the entrance of the pit-lane and in his excitement to get back on to the track he managed to break various bits off the car, luckily none that really mattered! Just like his late Father, the great Gilles Villeneuve he did not give up, carried on and just missed out on third place. Still, he managed to salvage fourth and the three championship points that went with it. A valiant effort. David Coulthard was secure in fifth until he made a silly mistake ending up in 7th. Not a very good way to hang on to your place in a team which is swimming in money but not in results..

This enabled Jean Alesi and Ralf Schumacher to claim fifth and sixth places in a truly nail-biting finish after an hour of serious boredom.

     
Final result: 
1.M. Schumacher  
2.H-H Frentzen 
3.Eddie Irvine 
4th. J.Villeneuve
5th J Alesi  
6th R Schumacher

The Drivers' Championship: 
1.M.Schumacher 47 points 
2.J.Villeneuve 33 p. 
3.H-H Frentzen 19p.
4. Eddie Irvine 18 p. 
5.O.Panis & J.Alesi 15 p. 
7.D.Coulthard 11 points.

Next race: British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 13.