Camila Vega
Before the weekend arrives, we look back at the last 5 champions at the French GP of Formula 1. Thus, we will have a better picture to know what to expect from the Grand Prix at Le Castellet, a prize that was stopped for 10 years due to economic problems and returned for its fourth edition since 2018.
The Last 5 Champions of the French GP in Formula 1
2021: Max Verstappen
Just like in Canada this year, Verstappen was crowned in France last year. The Dutch driver had the best results in this race that he could have had: he was the poleman, had the fastest lap, and crossed the checkered flag first. In pole, he set a time of 1:29.990 and his fastest lap, the 36th, was 1:36.404. He shared the podium with Hamilton in second place, and his teammate Checo Pérez.
2019: Lewis Hamilton
In 2019, the French Grand Prix was the eighth round of the F1 calendar. It was from June 21 to 23. It was also the 60th edition of the GP. Although the fastest lap went to Sebastian Vettel, who was at Ferrari then, the first position on the podium went to Lewis Hamilton, the driver who started from pole position and held it for 53 laps. In second place was his former teammate, Valtteri Bottas, and in third was Ferrari’s Leclerc.
2018: Lewis Hamilton
Finally, in 2018, the championship was run after 10 years of pause and 28 years after the last time it was raced at the Paul Ricard circuit. The winner was Lewis Hamilton, followed by Max Verstappen, and in third position was Finland’s Kimi Räikkönen. The poleman was Hamilton, just like in the next edition, and his teammate of the moment, Bottas, was the one who did the fastest lap in 1:34.225 on lap 41.
From 2009 to 2017, the French GP was not held. Moreover, in 2020 it was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it was resumed in 2018 and 2021.
2008: Felipe Massa
In 2008 the winner was Brazilian Felipe Massa. At the time, his biggest rival was his Finnish teammate Kimi Räikkönen. Both raced for Ferrari. The poleman was Räikkönen with a time of 1:16.449. This victory gave Massa the lead in the Drivers’ Championship for the first time. The podium was shared, of course, with the Italian Jarno Trulli.
2007: Kimi Räikkönen
Finally, in 2007, the championship was held at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. It was between June 29 and July 1. Although Felipe Massa won the race (1:15.034) and had the fastest lap (1:16.099 in 42nd), his teammate, Kimi Räikkönen, took the top spot on the podium. He was followed by Massa, and in third position was the Englishman Lewis Hamilton.
This year we expect the results of practice, pole, and the race between July 22 and 24. There is sure to be plenty of action between the Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, and Ferrari drivers.
