Summary
Damon Hill again has increased his lead by winning at Magny-Cours today. Hill had no trouble staying ahead at the start because pole-man Schumacher blew his engine on the formation lap, he also saw no threat to him winning in France for the first time after being second three times in a row.
Jacques Villeneuve displayed the Williams-Renault dominance by taking second place again.
The two Benetton's of Alesi and Berger gave Renault a one to four finish on their home ground. Alesi could defend his third place from his team-mate Berger in the last stages of the race. However the top three couldn't celebrate their podium because no champagne is allowed.
The McLaren-Mercedes's of Hakkinen and Coulthard completed the top six.
Notes
Top Six
Quotes
Hill: "There were no problems. I want to dedicate this race to all the friends of ours at Renault-Sport. It is a very good result and I am delighted for the whole team. There is only one thing left for me to do and that is to win the British Grand Prix. Irrespective of the championship, a win at home would be fantastic."
Hill on Schumacher blowing his engine: "It was an unexpected sight, but it made the race a lot easier for me."
Villeneuve: "It was a good result especially after the big crash yesterday."
Alesi: "It was the first time for me on the podium of the French Grand Prix. It was a good result."
Schumacher. "Shit! (...) I was very angry at first but then you have to calm to and look at the problem. It's a pity because we had been reliable until Canada but now we are getting problems. But I always knew this would be a learning year with the team."
A quick look at the standings
Constructors championship
Johnny Herbert has been disqualified from the race when the stewards discovered that his Sauber-Ford was not conform the technical regulations.
Herbert lost his 11th place finish because the turning valves were too high. Irvine lost his grid position over the same regulation.