F1 French Grand Prix: Top 5 races of all time 

#5 1990 French Grand Prix

1990 French Grand Prix

The 1990 French Grand Prix was truly extraordinary for more than one reason.

Nigel Mansell qualified on pole and led at the start with Gerhard Berger and Ayrton Senna close behind.

Ivan Capelli and Mauricio Gugelmin of Leyton House started seventh and tenth, respectively. Almost everyone held onto their positions till the time for pit stops came around.

The Paul Ricard circuit, and in particular, the long straight, helped Leyton House’s aerodynamic package and that coupled with astounding tyre managed ensure that their two drivers were holding onto a one-two for the team.

Unfortunately for the team, the engines did not hold up as well as their tyres and was the cause of Gugelmin’s retirement of lap 58. Capelli, meanwhile, held onto the lead despite pressure from Prost for more than 20 laps, until his engine started giving problems.

The Italian driver finished second behind Prost, but the other hero behind the performance was the man who had designed the car, Adrian Newey.

Adrian had already been sacked by Leyton House and was well on his way to Williams, but the race proved the man’s prowess at designing cars.