There was a three-week gap after the Canadian GP and so there was time for everyone to get worked up about the FIA's plans to introduce an immediate ban on electronic systems. There were other announcements too with sponsors Camel and Canon both withdrawing from F1 but Williams announcing a new deal for 1994 with Rothmans to replace Canon. Ayrton Senna, who had thus far driven on a race-to-race basis with McLaren, was finally committed to racing with the team for the rest of the season but was already close to a deal with Williams for 1994.

At Magny-Cours Damon Hill took his first pole position, beating Alain Prost into second place. Then came the two Ligier-Renaults of Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell (this being the team's home track) and then came Senna, ahead of an inspired Jean Alési (Ferrari), Michael Schumacher (Benetton), the impressive young Rubens Barrichello (Jordan-Hart) and then the two Larrousses of Érik Comas and Philippe Alliot. Riccardo Patrese (Benetton) was an unhappy 12th, Gerhard Berger was a confused 14th in his Ferrari and Michael Andretti (McLaren) was in real trouble in 16th.

At the start Hill and Prost both got away well with the two Ligiers and Senna in pursuit while Schumacher pounced on Jean Alési. After four laps Jean fell behind Barrichello as well. On lap 14 the leaders were lapping Andrea de Cesaris's Tyrrell when he swerved in front of Blundell and sent him spinning out of the race. At the mid-race pit stops Hill was held up by other cars in the pitlane and lost the lead to Prost. There was then a half minute gap back to Brundle who had Senna and Schumacher right with him. With a second round of pit stops Senna and Schumacher got ahead of Brundle. Michael then chased Senna and overtook him in traffic, Senna being rammed by Derek Warwick (Footwork).

Prost duly led home Hill and Schumacher with Senna fourth and Brundle fifth while the battle for sixth between Andretti and Barrichello was decided two laps from the finish as the American went ahead.