| 1972 French Grand Prix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race details | |||
| Date | 2 July 1972 | ||
| Location | Circuit de Charade Clermont-Ferrand,Auvergne,France | ||
| Course | Temporary street circuit | ||
| Course length | 8.055 km (5.005 miles) | ||
| Distance | 38 laps, 306.09 km (190.19 miles) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Matra | ||
| Time | 2:53.4 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver | Matra | ||
| Time | 2:53.9 on lap 32 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | Tyrrell-Ford | ||
| Second | Lotus-Ford | ||
| Third | Matra | ||
Lap leaders | |||

The1972 French Grand Prix was aFormula One motor race held at theCircuit de Charade inClermont-Ferrand,Auvergne,France on 2 July 1972. It was race 6 of 12 in both the1972 World Championship of Drivers and the1972 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.
The Circuit de Charade's natural setting around the base of an extinct volcano created safety concerns due to the dark, volcanic rocks which fell from the mountain onto both sides of the track.[1][2] Drivers who skirted the track edge would often send rocks flying into the middle of the road and into the way of pursuing competitors.[1][2] The hazard was highlighted when driverHelmut Marko suffered a career-ending injury during the race, when a stone thrown fromRonnie Peterson'sMarch penetrated his helmet visor and blinded him in the left eye.[1][2][a] The rocks also meant that tyre punctures were a perennial hazard on the circuit, as was shown when ten competitors suffered punctures during the race.[1][2] The French Grand Prix was moved to the newCircuit Paul Ricard for1973.
Chris Amon achieved the fifth and finalpole position of his career and was leading the race in hisMatra until a puncture forced him to pit, leavingJackie Stewart to win in hisTyrrell-Ford.Emerson Fittipaldi finished second, just ahead of a charging Amon, who shattered the circuit's lap record.
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