French Grand Prix 1962 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Dan Gurney claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory at Rouen-Les-Essarts, driving his Porsche 804 to a breakthrough triumph on the challenging French circuit. The tall Californian's win was particularly sweet after years of near-misses and podium finishes, finally securing his place among Formula 1's elite. Gurney's mastery of the demanding Rouen circuit, with its combination of fast downhill sections, tight hairpins, and treacherous cobblestone patches, demonstrated both his versatility and determination. The victory also represented a major achievement for Porsche, who had gradually developed their flat-eight powered car into a genuine race winner through methodical German engineering. Gurney's triumph showed that success in Formula 1 still rewarded those who combined talent with commitment, even against better-funded rivals.

Tony Maggs secured an excellent second place for Cooper, the South African driver delivering his best result of the season with a measured performance. Richie Ginther claimed third for BRM, giving the British team valuable points in their championship fight. The race saw both championship leaders Jim Clark and Graham Hill suffer disappointments, with Clark retiring from a dominant position due to mechanical failure while Hill could only manage fourth. Gurney's Rouen victory was a career-defining moment, proving he possessed the speed and racecraft to win at the highest level while also demonstrating Porsche's growing competitiveness in Grand Prix racing.