Johnny Cecotto Inherits Victory at Memorable French Grand Prix

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time
1	2	Lewis Hamilton		1:31.318
2	1	Sebastian Vettel		1:31.630
3	63	Jules Bianchi		1:32.116
4	62	Dave Cassidy		1:32.325
5	27	Nathan McKane		1:32.878
6	29	Pastor Maldonado		1:32.913
7	21	Stoffel Vandoorne		1:32.916
8	91	Max Verstappen		1:32.996
9	90	Daniel Ricciardo		1:33.116
10	99	Kevin Magnussen		1:33.230
11	28	Romain Grosjean		1:33.401
12	98	Salvatore Miccoli		1:33.473
13	32	Daniel Melrose		1:33.476
14	31	Rhys Davies		1:33.633
15	30	Mike Rockenfeller		1:33.673
16	43	Sébastien Bourdais		1:33.949
17	22	Johnny Cecotto Jr.		1:33.985
18	5	Valtteri Bottas		1:34.073
19	11	Carlos Sainz Jr		1:34.073
20	12	Scott Dixon		1:34.193
21	66	Esteban Ocon		1:34.275
22	55	Artem Markelov		1:34.391
23	67	Marcel Agyemang-Badu		1:34.507
24	42	Davide Valsecchi		1:34.611
25	6	Ma Qinghua		1:35.060
26	56	Bradley Dagnall		1:35.366

* demoted five places for changing engine/gearbox

Report:

Christian Horner has declared the project Paris a crucial one for the future success of Formula One. For that project, a good first impression was elemental; this was very much achieved. The first French Grand Prix in the capital of said country will be remembered by Formula One fans for a very long time to come.

Qualifying promised business as usual, though: the Caterhams were nearly untouchable, Lewis Hamilton grabbing the two points for pole position. Only Jules Bianchi was remotely capable of performing at their level over one lap. With many expecting a Caterham win, things were not looking particularly good for their rivals.

However, the first race for Spanish rookie Carlos Sainz, Jr. proved that F1 can always provide close racing: after a chaotic start and Vettel retiring due to a driver error, up to six cars where within six seconds, fighting for the lead of the race. It looked like an unlikely hero would emerge: former champion Ricciardo led the GP for Calinetic.

Regrettably, the Jamaican team had its hopes smashed by Lewis Hamilton, who turned Daniel around. As usual, someone’s suffering is someone’s blessing: Johnny Cecetto, Jr. was given a position where he could become a race winner in F1 and do so having started 17th, the lowest any winner in the two-race era has ever done.

He fought off his own teammate and Daniel Melrose, who went on to earn Holden’s first podium finish in Formula One, a great success for the Australian car manufacturer. Other points scorers also told amazing stories, especially Bradley Dagnall, who silenced doubters of his place in the sport’s greatest series.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Points
1	22	Johnny Cecotto Jr.		42:53.636	15
2	21	Stoffel Vandoorne		+0.574	12
3	32	Daniel Melrose		+3.402	10
4	99	Kevin Magnussen		+5.572	8
5	62	Dave Cassidy		+12.234	6
6	56	Bradley Dagnall		+13.994	5
7	2	Lewis Hamilton		+18.041*	6
8	28	Romain Grosjean		+18.555	3
9	5	Valtteri Bottas		+24.260	2
10	90	Daniel Ricciardo		+26.320	1
11	98	Salvatore Miccoli		+33.444	0
12	12	Scott Dixon		+39.964	0
13	67	Esteban Ocon		+42.385	0
14	55	Artem Markelov		+43.008	0
15	42	Davide Valsecchi		+45.387	0
16	66	Marcel Agyemang-Badu		+46.895	0
17	11	Carlos Sainz Jr.		+47.193	0
18	63	Jules Bianchi		+53.103	0
19	31	Rhys Davies		+53.103	0
20	6	Ma Qinghua		+75.833	0
DNF	29	Pastor Maldonado		Suspension	0
DNF	43	Sébastien Bourdais		Accident	0
DNF	1	Sebastian Vettel		Accident	0
DNF	27	Nathan McKane		+Collision	0
DNF	91	Max Verstappen		Collision	0
DNF	30	Mike Rockenfeller		Collision	0

Fastest Lap:

Daniel Ricciardo -1:32.985

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Bradley Dagnall – looked better than his old man and his famous brother today.

Reject Of The Race:

Lewis Hamilton – stupid move ruins his own chances at getting closer to the title and Calinetic’s day.