2007 FRENCH GRAND PRIX
Magny Cours,
Fernando Alonso MP4-22 06
Lewis Hamilton MP4-22 04
T-car MP4-22 05
Spare MP4-22 03
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished
third in the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours and took his
eighth podium finish in the eighth race of the season. After
70 laps, Lewis came home 32.1 seconds behind winner Kimi Raikkonen.
Fernando who had started 10th on the grid following a gearbox
problem in qualifying, ended up seventh. Lewis was on a three-stop
strategy and came in on laps 16 (7.4 seconds), 37 (6.3 seconds)
and 51 (6.5 seconds). Fernando was on a two-stop-strategy
and came in on laps 16 (7.9 seconds) and 37 (9.9 seconds).
Lewis maintained the lead in the Drivers’ Championship
with 64 points followed by Fernando in second position with
50 points. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is the only team to finish
the first eight Grands Prix of the year in the points with
both drivers and goes into its home Grand Prix at Silverstone
next week also leading the Constructors' table with 114 points
ahead of Ferrari on 89.
LEWIS HAMILTON
"I’m pleased to have finished third today and have
continued my run of podium finishes in Formula 1. I didn’t
have the best start and I don’t know exactly what the
reason was. My car was very good in the opening stage of the
race, and I pushed hard to get past Kimi, but unfortunately
it didn’t work out. We opted for a three-stop strategy.
I am happy for my team as we are still heading both the drivers’
and constructors’ rankings. We will now focus on the
British Grand Prix next week where I think we will be competitive
again. I am confident for a better weekend at my home Grand
Prix as everybody in the team has worked very hard for this,
as we do for every race."
FERNANDO ALONSO
"I did the maximum I could today, but we knew it would
be difficult starting 10th with a fuel strategy that was originally
aiming for a top three grid position. This meant that at the
pit stops I was always changing positions and ending up behind
those I had already passed. The fight with Nick Heidfeld was
fun, but it was a lot of hard work. I also made a good move
on Giancarlo. I am contesting the World Championship, so I
had to do whatever I could today and was not worried about
the risks. It is a disappointing result, but we will have
to look to improve next week, where we should be strong."
RON DENNIS
"A difficult race. Both drivers put in solid performances,
and particularly Fernando, who for me was the man of the race
with his various battles against Heidfeld and Fisichella.
We had the option of switching between a two or three-stop
strategy for Lewis, and we opted for the latter to ensure
that he had minimal traffic and maintained his strong and
safe third position. Fernando’s race was always going
to be challenging starting from 10th, but our aim was to score
points, which he did. However it is clear that we were not
as competitive as we hoped, but coming to our home Grand Prix
in Silverstone next weekend, we are still leading both World
Championships and we will be strong there."
NORBERT HAUG
"Lewis put in a good race finishing third and taking
his eighth consecutive podium position in as many races this
season. Fernando had some quite spectacular battles with Nick
Heidfeld, which the fans surely enjoyed. He finally came home
seventh. Ferrari was better today which means that we have
to further improve. Halfway though the season Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes is leading both World Championships, with Lewis and
Fernando heading up the Driver’s ranking. We all will
work extremely hard to keep it that way in the second half
until after Sao Paulo. Now we are looking forward to the next
two races, our home Grands Prix at Silverstone and at the
Nürburgring."
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