Jean-Daniel Levy, head of political polling at Harris Interactive, said before the debate that it would be "very, very difficult" at this point to change the course of the election.

WSJ: Hollande and Sarkozy, Presidential Candidates, Spar in France

Force India's Paul di Resta qualified 10th ahead of Toro Rosso duo Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, while his teammate Adrian Sutil was 13th.

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Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher marked his 300th Grand Prix with a fine drive for seventh in the Mercedes ahead of their Toro Rosso pair of Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo.

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