Zoom All starting on the prime tyre at Magny Cours

Felipe Massa won the eighth round of the championship from second on the grid after using a medium-soft-soft compound Bridgestone Potenza tyre strategy in the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours.

Massa was joined on the podium by Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Toyota Racing driver Jarno Trulli, who scored his first podium finish since the Spanish Grand Prix in 2005. Finishing fourth was Heikki Kovalainen whilst Robert Kubica finished in fifth.

The top 13 drivers finished on the lead lap, and despite light rain during the latter parts of the race, only Bridgestone’s dry grooved Potenza tyres were used.

Tyre performance from the medium and soft Bridgestone Potenza tyres was strong in the race and the majority of drivers used a medium-medium-soft strategy to achieve their result.

Notably, Williams driver Nico Rosberg used a one stop strategy, completing his first 40 laps using the soft compound tyre. The race’s fastest lap, a 1:16.630s, was set by Raikkonen on lap 16 using the medium compound tyre.

Hirohide Hamashima, Tyre Development Director
“We are very happy with our tyre performance here today. There were many strategies possible, but I believe the best solution was the medium – medium – soft strategy that we saw most drivers use. Kimi was fastest, but unfortunately for him he had a problem and he had to be patient to take second place."

"Congratulations to Felipe and Ferrari for their win and especially to Felipe for taking the championship lead. Congratulations also to Jarno Trulli and Toyota for their good result.”

E.A. © CAPSIS International