1996 European Grand Prix
The 1996 European Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Nürburgring in Germany on 28 April 1996. It was the fourth race of the 1996 Formula One World Championship.
| 1996 European Grand Prix | |||||
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Race 4 of 16 in the 1996 Formula One World Championship
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The Nürburgring in its 1996 configuration | |||||
| Race details | |||||
| Date | 28 April 1996 | ||||
| Official name | XL Grand Prix of Europe | ||||
| Location |
Nürburgring Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany | ||||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||||
| Course length | 4.556 km (2.842 miles) | ||||
| Distance | 67 laps, 305.252 km (190.425 miles) | ||||
| Weather | Cloudy, but dry | ||||
| Pole position | |||||
| Driver | Williams-Renault | ||||
| Time | 1:18.941 | ||||
| Fastest lap | |||||
| Driver | Damon Hill | Williams-Renault | |||
| Time | 1:21.363 on lap 55 | ||||
| Podium | |||||
| First | Williams-Renault | ||||
| Second | Ferrari | ||||
| Third | McLaren-Mercedes | ||||
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Lap leaders | |||||
The 67-lap race was won by Jacques Villeneuve, driving a Williams-Renault. Villeneuve beat teammate and pole-sitter Damon Hill off the line and led all 67 laps, taking his first F1 victory in only his fourth race. Local driver Michael Schumacher finished second in a Ferrari, with David Coulthard third in a McLaren-Mercedes, just ahead of Hill.
Both Benetton cars made extremely slow starts, due to the brakes locking on. Berger was forced to pit for fresh tyres after a flat-spot was caused, while Alesi finished lap 1 in 13th place and spun while trying to recover.
The Tyrrells were disqualified for separate infringements - Salo finished 10th but his car was found post-race to be underweight, while Katayama finished 12th but was disqualified for receiving an illegal push-start on the parade lap.