French Grand Prix 1985 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nelson Piquet claimed a brilliant victory at Paul Ricard, demonstrating the tactical acumen that would bring him three World Championships. The Brazilian driver managed his Brabham-BMW's fuel consumption perfectly while maintaining competitive pace, showcasing the intelligence that made him one of the era's most complete drivers. Piquet's victory ended Brabham's victory drought and suggested the team retained competitiveness despite losing works BMW support at season's end.

Keke Rosberg finished second for Williams, continuing his team's resurgence and demonstrating consistent pace with the improving Honda turbo. Prost salvaged third place to maintain his championship lead, though Ferrari's absence from the podium allowed him to extend his advantage over Alboreto. The race highlighted the importance of fuel management in the turbo era, as the 220-liter limit forced drivers to balance performance with efficiency. Piquet's smooth driving style and tactical awareness proved perfectly suited to these constraints, earning him a memorable victory on French soil that demonstrated Brabham's ongoing competitiveness despite reduced resources.