Returning to the tortuous Dijon-Prenois circuit for the first time since 1981, this year’s edition of the French Grand Prix saw Niki Lauda deny the factory Renault Elf team another victory on home soil by taking his McLaren MP4/2 to a confident and convincing victory in the 79 lap race. For the McLaren International team it was another remarkable demonstration of the latest John Barnard-designed chassis and its Porsche-built V6 turbocharged engine: the fourth such success out of five races run so far this season. For Lauda, who drove with just the right blend of aggression to enhance his otherwise distinctively smooth style, the race marked his second victory this year and his 21st since he first triumphed in a Championship Grand Prix at Jarama, almost 10 years ago to the week, at the wheel of a Ferrari 312B3.
Practice and qualifying at the French Grand Prix was ruined by the weather and those who had failed to produce their best on Friday were left floundering the following day as the heavens opened and most of the central France disappeared under a gloomy blanket of torrential rain. Obviously hoping for a good showing on home soil, particularly in view of the much-publicised fuel consumption problems which has bugged its progress so far this season, the Renault team provided the focal point of most people’s attention.
Alain Prost has adjustments made to his McLaren
