French F1 GP: first French victory for a Renault car in 22 years.

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July 4, 2005 Fernando Alonso took a dominant victory for the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team in yesterday’s French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours. The Spaniard took pole position and led every lap of the race to take his fifth victory of the season from ten starts, and the first for a 100% Renault car in the French Grand Prix since 1983. In winning he extended his lead in the drivers championship by two points, and now has 69 points, 24 ahead of nearest rival Kimi Raikkonen. All three of the main contenders for the drivers title finished on the podium with Raikkonen scond, Michael Schumacher third and Jenson Button finished fourth, giving the BAR Honda team its first points of the year.

Alonso’s team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella endured a troubled afternoon, suffering problems at two of his three pit-stops and damage to his car which cost him grip from mid-race onwards. He nevertheless delivered a tenacious performance to take sixth position, and further extend the team’s advantage in the Constructors’ Championship. The team now leads McLaren by 18 points, with a total of 89 points.

At the start, Alonso nipped straight into the lead from fellow-front row man Trulli, while Michael Schumacher led teammate Barrichello, followed by Takuma Sato, Giancarlo Fisichella in the second Renault, Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren), Jenson Button and the Saubers.

Raikkonen was already up to 10th by lap two, but the greatest impression was being left by Alonso as he disappeared at the front of the field. By lap five he had a seven second lead over Trulli. That was up to 14s by lap ten and 21s by lap 15. Behind the Toyota, Michael Schumacher was frustrated, unable to get past. He was shadowed all the way by Barrichello, although the Brazilian was already in trouble with brakes and grip and was soon being caught by Sato. Fisichella was close by, as was Montoya and Button.

Sato was first to stop on lap 15, clearly going for a three stop strategy. Barrichello came in on lap 17 and Trulli and shadow Schumacher a lap later. Ferrari got Schumacher out ahead of the Toyota driver. Fisichella stopped a lap later as did Button, while Alonso was last of the three stoppers to come in on lap 20.

However, such was his leading margin that he still led on lap 21 by 11s from Montoya who, like third placed teammate Raikkonen, had yet to stop. Michael Schumacher was fourth on the road, now 7.5s ahead of Trulli who had Barrichello, Sato and Button close behind him. When Coulthard stopped, Fisichella took over ninth place.

A heavy Alonso lost out a little to the lighter McLarens until Montoya pitted on lap 25 and Raikkonen three laps later. But when they rejoined, they were still second and third, but with Raikkonen now second and Montoya being pushed by Schumacher in third place. Trulli was still fifth from Barrichello and then Button, Fisichella and Sato who had had an off-circuit moment on lap 27.

Michael Schumacher made his second pit stop just before half distance butremained in fourth place. Teammate Barrichello made his second stop on lap 39, emerging tenth, just ahead of Coulthard.

Leader Alonso made his second stop on lap 41, coming in from a 33s lead but still emerging with a margin of 13s. Raikkonen was still second, but Montoya was fading badly in third place, suffering a hydraulic problem which lost him the power steering and then gears. He eventually pulled off on lap 47.

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