Ralf Schumacher's hopes of scoring back-to-back wins in France today were boosted when he made a dream start to the 70-lap race at Magny-Cours.
The 28-year-old, who triumphed in Germany last Sunday, powered away from pole position to spearhead a Williams one-two to the first corner with Juan Pablo Montoya.
And Schumacher's chances were further boosted when the Ferrari of his brother Michael was outgunned at the start by McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen who surged from fifth to third after powering down the outside.
Ferrari suffered another blow at the end of the first lap when Rubens Barrichello spun and although the Brazilian continued he was in last place.
Barrichello found himself behind Britain's Justin Wilson who started from the pits having qualified in last place.