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After the joke known as the US Grand Prix it was brilliant to see 20 cars taking to the track at Magny-Cours to go racing. This wasn't a particularly exciting race but at least it was a race and that's what the public paid their Euros to see.

Situated in the middle of rural France, Ferrari must have felt right at home with the donkeys and cows as neighbours. In fact judging by their pace during the race perhaps Ferrari would be wise to replace their logo of the prancing horse with that of a French donkey - certainly more appropriate. Both cars were on three-stoppers with Michael qualifying in fourth and Rubens in sixth but both cars were promoted up a grid slot when Kimi was penalised 10 places for an engine change and slid down to thirteenth.

When questioned about a lack of pace towards the end of Michael's race the team responded that there was no problem. Okay, so being over a minute behind Renault with a perfect car is not a problem? So when does it become a problem - two minutes behind or possibly three? Maybe Michael was distracted because he was thinking about building his little 17 million pound castle on Lake Geneva? Hang on a second, when the FIA meet again in September to render punishment on the Michelin teams perhaps they should ask Ferrari for advice - a few points deduction could still see the team finishing way up front. Whatever puts a smile on Jean Todt's face, right? Michael managed a podium with Rubens missing out on points in ninth. Methinks that perhaps Mr Barrichello should start looking for a new drive for next season or better yet, retire - and take Michael with him!

The day belonged to Renault. The French outfit last won here in 1983 with Alain Prost at the wheel so the team was under a teeny bit of pressure. Alonso stuck the car on pole and never once succumbed to the chasing pack - if you can even call them that. He drove a flawless race balancing precision with speed in a lethal combination. This is the 5th win of the season for the delectable Spaniard. Team-mate Fisichella had another unlucky race. Having qualified in 7th the spunky Italian had problems with the fuel nozzle during his first pit stop and then stalled the car on the second. Nevertheless he still managed to bring home 3 points to extend Renault's dominance in the Constructor's championship.

Kimi Raikkonen was the best qualifier without a doubt. He managed third with a race strategy that saw him only pitting twice. What that basically equates to is that he was carrying 10 laps worth of fuel more than most and still managed third. Now that is seriously impressive! Personality or no personality, this boy can drive and now that McLaren have hopefully put their reliability problems behind them he will be a world champion - if not this year then quite possibly next. Coming from 13th on the grid the Finn managed to stand on the 2nd step of the podium. An absolutely stellar performance from the Iceman. Fiery Juancho retired with a hydraulic leak. His first retirement of the season - bugger!

Jarno Trulli also had a great qualifying run starting alongside his mate Fernando Alonso. Alonso owes him a bottle of really expensive champagne because the likeable Italian held up the rest of the field allowing Fernando to forge a huge lead. Perhaps it's the smile or the accent but you just can't be angry with a guy like Trulli - you just want to bring him home to meet Mom! Trulli finished in a respectable 5th. Ralf Schumacher is back after his mammoth shunt at Indy. Taking to the track first for the qualifying session he only managed to qualify in 12th. Ralf had a quiet afternoon and finished in 7th.

Poor Mark Webber - he drove 70 laps of the Magny-Cours track with a searing backside! Wonder if it turned out rare or well-done. Hmm, but since the team poured a bucket of water into the cockpit to try and cool him down a tad maybe he ended up steamed instead of fried. A 12th place finish isn't something the Williams boys are going to be toasting. Heidfeld spent most of his race whingeing about the car insisting that there was something wrong with it and it was completely undriveable. Somehow the diminutive German managed to bring the car home in 14th after a tyre change. Did the team not realise that he just needed a quick pit stop of his very own? That leads to a very interesting question - what happens when a driver needs a bathroom break? Does he go in his overalls? Does he cross his legs? Anyone know?

Bar are finally on the scoreboard albeit in last place. Button had a great race finishing just shy of the podium in 4th. The Brit made up 4 places after starting from 8th slot. Team-mate Sato did not do quite so well. The Japanese homeboy had a couple of excursions onto the grass and gravel. Admittedly not entirely his fault but out braking yourself isn't going to be do anybody any favours!

Now that BMW have bought a controlling share in Sauber, Jackie Villeneuve seems confident that he's going to be around long enough to see the transition. He never did lack confidence, did he? PlayStation's favourite customer finished in 8th place well ahead of best mate Massa who retired with a mechanical fault. The deities just aren't loving these boys but then if you could choose between a hunky Spaniard and a sulky Canadian, whom would you pick?

Jordan finished in 13th and 15th but it's unlikely that many cared. The Minardis of Albers and Friesacher retired with rear left tyre failures. Investigations will reveal if it had something to do with the tyre, driver or car. Wouldn't it be an interesting twist if Bridgestone started experiencing tyre failures now?

Which leaves us with the Red Bull that is going to be powered by a red donkey next season. Are the bull and the donkey related on some level? DC nearly had a collision with one of the Minardi's but apart from that a quiet race which saw him finishing in 10th place. Christian Klien had an early shower being forced to retire in the opening laps with a fuel pump problem. So Red Bull head over to Silverstone with no points for their efforts in France.

The land of strawberries, cream and lots of rain and mud beckons next week. Silverstone will take centre stage when it hosts round 11 of the 2005 season. The home race of McLaren -will they be smiling to the rendition of the British National anthem or will they be grimacing as the French and Spanish National anthems are played for the sixth time this season? This is turning out to be one heck of a brilliant season and long may the fight continue. You just gotta love this sport!