1982 French Grand Prix

Previous race

Niki Lauda won at Brands Hatch from fifth on the grid, after Rosberg was stationary on the grid during the formation lap with a fuel pressure problem and had to start last, handing the front row advantage to Patrese — who then stalled. Arnoux and Fabi ran into the stationary Brabham, eliminating all three at the start. Lauda led throughout after Piquet retired with fuel injection problems on lap ten. Didier Pironi finished second, with Patrick Tambay third. Pironi takes over the lead of the Drivers’ Championship from Watson, who spun off on lap three.

Championship standings

Pironi leads the championship, with Watson second.

Entrants

Nigel Mansell is replaced at Lotus by Geoff Lees for this race. Jochen Mass is in his final race weekend; Mass has been deeply shaken since the collision with Gilles Villeneuve in Belgium that contributed to Villeneuve’s fatal accident, and he is set to retire from Formula One immediately after this round regardless of this weekend’s events.

Circuit

Renault’s home race at Circuit Paul Ricard. The turbocharged Renaults, Ferraris, and Brabham-BMWs have taken the first six grid positions at Paul Ricard before; Renault are expected to be the dominant force on a fast circuit that suits their turbo power.