2005 European Grand Prix

Championship standings

Alonso leads the championship after winning three of the first four races, while Räikkönen has scored the other two wins.

Previous race

Räikkönen won Monaco from pole, building a lead of more than five seconds by lap 20. Heidfeld came second for Williams, with Webber taking his first Formula One podium in third. Alonso finished fourth with tyres almost entirely worn through by the flag. Montoya charged from 16th to fifth after his penalty.

Between-race developments

BAR return to competition after serving their two-race ban, but due to the engine regulations, they must use engines from the San Marino Grand Prix — the same units that have been sitting untouched for five weeks.

Liuzzi retains his Red Bull race seat for one further round at the Nürburgring before Christian Klien takes over from the Canadian Grand Prix onwards.

Qualifying

A new qualifying format takes effect from this race. The aggregate two-session system used for the first six races is replaced by a single one-lap session on Saturday afternoon, with cars running on race fuel and tyres. Cars run in the reverse order of the previous race’s final classification. The change was recommended by the ten team principals following a meeting with FIA president Max Mosley on 24 May, and approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.