Michael Schumacher clinched his fifth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with a record six races still remaining in the 2002 season.
Key Facts
- Race laps
- 72 laps
- Spectators
- 106,000 people
- Championship lead entering race
- 54 championship points ahead of rivals
- Schumacher's season victories
- 8th victory of the 2002 season
- Career victories for Schumacher
- 61st career win
- Championship titles equalled
- 5 titles, equalling Juan Manuel Fangio's 1957 record
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Michael Schumacher entered the 2002 French Grand Prix leading the World Drivers' Championship by 54 points over Rubens Barrichello and Juan Pablo Montoya. With only those two drivers mathematically able to challenge him, Schumacher needed a result that would make it impossible for either rival to surpass his points total across the remaining six races of the season.
Held on 21 July 2002 at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours before 106,000 spectators, the race saw Montoya lead the first 23 laps before pit stop strategies reshuffled positions. Schumacher received a drive-through penalty for a pit lane infringement but recovered the lead on lap 68 when Räikkönen slid on oil dropped by Allan McNish's Toyota. Schumacher crossed the finish line first, with Räikkönen and Coulthard completing the podium.
Schumacher's victory sealed his fifth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with six races to spare, equalling Juan Manuel Fangio's long-standing record of five titles. Ferrari extended its Constructors' Championship lead over Williams to 62 points. Schumacher received congratulations from German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Italian leaders, while figures such as Jody Scheckter and Niki Lauda praised the achievement.