Juan Pablo Montoya finished second in the other Williams car, with Michael Schumacher third driving for Ferrari.

Ralf Schumacher's victory was his second consecutive win of the season having won the preceding European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

This was the first French Grand Prix held at the upgraded version of Magny-Cours, having made Château d'Eau a sharper right hand corner, and a complete modification of the Lycée section, becoming a very sharp right hand turn after the back straight which then leads to a difficult final chicane next to the pit entrance.

Jos Verstappen ended up quickest after the first qualifying session due to a drying track.

[2] His teammate Justin Wilson's time after Q1 was deleted after scrutineering found his car was 2 kg underweight.