 The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team kicks off the summer's seven-race European stint by travelling to the Magny-Cours circuit ahead of next weekend's French Grand Prix.
The French race has become one of Formula 1's perennials, missing just a single appearance on the calendar in 1955. Taking place at the event's seventh home - Magny-Cours has hosted the race since 1991 - the French Grand Prix has previously been held at Reims, Rouen, Clermont-Ferrand, Le Mans, Paul Ricard and Dijon. |
 |  | Track Information | | | | Length | 4.411 km | | | Number of Laps | 70 | | | Race Distance | 308.586 km | | | Lap Records | M Schumacher
1' 15.377 (2004) | | | Official Website | | |
| For Mercedes-Benz, there is an important landmark to celebrate. The French GP weekend will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first ever Mercedes victory. In 1908, Christian Lautenschlager won the French Grand Prix in a four-cylinder 12.8-litre car which produced 135bhp. To mark this event, an original 1908 historic Benz Grand Prix car will be on display at the Magny-Cours circuit. |
| | |
