1996 European Grand Prix

1996 European Grand Prix
Race 4 of 16 in the 1996 Formula One World Championship ← Previous race Next race →
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	Damon Hill	Williams-Renault
Time	1:18.941
Fastest lap
Driver	Damon Hill	Williams-Renault
Time	1:21.363 on lap 55
Podium
First	Jacques Villeneuve	Williams-Renault
Second	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Third	David Coulthard	McLaren-Mercedes
Lap leaders

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.

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.