RACE REPORT: Another big disappointment for Jos ...

Published on 30 June 1996 by Verstappen Info Page

RACE REPORT: Another big disappointment for Jos and all of his fans. In lap 11 of the French Grand Prix something in the right front wheel suspension broke off while driving in sixth gear with a speed of 260 Km/h. A disaster weekend for Ferrari too: Schumacher's engine gave up in the warming up lap and Irvine retired in lap 5 due to problems with his gearbox.

The race started OK for Jos. Starting at position 14 (Schumacher didn't even start) he immediately crawled up to position 11, behind Panis and before Frentzen. After the first lap Hill was leading the race, followed by Alesi, Hakkinen, Villeneuve, Berger and Brundle. Lap 2 was curtains for Andrea Montermini and lap 4 for Fisichella. In lap 5 Eddie Irvine who already was at position 16 had to give up with a broken gearbox.

Jos Verstappen was giving it all and in lap 8 he had a 2.1 second lead on Frentzen but it all ended too soon in lap 11 for Jos when his right front wheel suspension broke off and he ended in the gravel.

After the first series of pit stops Hill was leading, followed by Alesi and Villeneuve, Hakkinen, Berger and Coulthard. Around lap 40 Villeneuve overtook Alesi and after that Berger overtook Hakkinen so the first six were now: Hill, Villeneuve, Alesi, Berger, Hakkinen and Coulthard (The 2 Williams, the 2 Benetton's and the 2 McLaren's !). In lap 54, after the second series of pit stops, the first six were still the same and this lasted towards the end of the race. Just as last race at Canada the first three were Hill, Villeneuve and Alesi. See French Grand Prix results for the complete race results.