2006 French Grand Prix

Championship standings

Alonso leads with 88 points to Schumacher’s 69. Fisichella has moved into third ahead of Räikkönen on 43 points.

Previous race

Schumacher won the United States Grand Prix from pole, with teammate Massa second — Ferrari’s first one-two of the season. The race started with a mass collision at Turn 1 eliminating seven cars: Webber, Klien, Montagny, Räikkönen, Montoya, Button and Heidfeld were all caught up in the incident at the opening corners. Fisichella finished third. Liuzzi came through to score Toro Rosso’s first ever championship point. Montoya’s departure from McLaren was announced immediately after the race — he leaves to join Chip Ganassi Racing in NASCAR for 2007.

Between-race developments

Following Montoya’s announcement, McLaren confirm that test driver Pedro de la Rosa will replace him for the remainder of the season. De la Rosa races in France as a full McLaren driver.

Practice

BMW Sauber’s third driver Robert Kubica topped both Friday sessions. Jacques Villeneuve and Nick Heidfeld shared the lead in the Saturday session.

Milestones

The Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours hosts its 16th Formula One race — the 56th running of the French Grand Prix as a World Championship round. This race marks the centenary of the first French Grand Prix, held in 1906.