583 replies to this topic

[Scotracer]

Did anyone watch the Blancpain 6hrs of Paul Ricard from 2 weeks or so ago? It was perhaps the most enjoyable endurance race I've ever watched. In fact, I watched the entire thing. 

 

It gives me hope. 

[w1Y]

I dunno i think theres going to be loads of overtakes with those straights. Yes itll be hard to follow through thw fast ruens but those on better tyres will be able to stick with them.

I like the fast flowing circuit.

[TomNokoe]

French Silverstone!

I'm sure 2018 machines will go 3-4 seconds faster than Buemi, some of those corners are going to be different beasts.

[Peat]

That chincane in the back straight realy kills the vibe.

 

 

 

F1 is happy with a 2km straight lined with walls in Baku, but not in the vast car park of Le Castellet. Go figure. 

 

I have very very low expectations of this race, so it can only exceed them.

[Anja]

I, for one, look forward to the race. No assumptions and specific expectations, just treating it as an unknown. 

[GTA]

Looks like a sibling of Sochi and I expect a 3rd snoozefest in a row. 

[PayasYouRace]

I’ll reserve judgement until we’ve actually seen a GP take place.

The thing to remember about the circuit is that when it was refurbished in the early noughties it was rebuilt purely as a test track, so the runoffs were designed to be extra safe. The idea being that damage resulting from mistakes or failures would be kept to an absolute minimum. It’s not necessarily ideal as a race venue.

[Sterzo]

It’s going to be dreadful.

Absolutely awful. The circuit. The look. The colour. The vibe.

Pants.

I disagree. Some pants look quite attractive, but Circuit Paul Ricard doesn't.

[LiJu914]

https://www.formula1...018/france.html

 

The racing line to T1 crosses the pit exit quite drastically.

 

Strange that FIA doesn´t seem to bother this time, considering they´re so anal about safety in every other aspect.

[BRG]

Strange that FIA doesn´t seem to bother this time, considering they´re so anal about safety in every other aspect.

The FIA seem strangely blind to pit lane entry and exit risks at a number of tracks (eg Interlagos, Montreal,  et al).

[Atreiu]

It's not great but shouldn't be a problem. Adelaide had this as well and I don't remember any incident at all.

[Heyli]

I’ll reserve judgement until we’ve actually seen a GP take place.

The thing to remember about the circuit is that when it was refurbished in the early noughties it was rebuilt purely as a test track, so the runoffs were designed to be extra safe. The idea being that damage resulting from mistakes or failures would be kept to an absolute minimum. It’s not necessarily ideal as a race venue.

Wouldnt that mean that the drivers take more risks though?

 

It just looks a bit weird, with all the possible routes that the circuit has, but let´s see what happens! 

[Kalmake]

The FIA seem strangely blind to pit lane entry and exit risks at a number of tracks (eg Interlagos, Montreal,  et al).

Both those tracks are old and have had chances to improve the situation.

[PayasYouRace]

Wouldnt that mean that the drivers take more risks though?
 
It just looks a bit weird, with all the possible routes that the circuit has, but let´s see what happens!

You don’t expect drivers to be taking massive risks when testing. You expect consistent runs.

[jonpollak]

Gotta find that picture of the wife and I in Bandol back in the 80's.
Jp

[LiJu914]

The FIA seem strangely blind to pit lane entry and exit risks at a number of tracks (eg Interlagos, Montreal,  et al).

 

 

I know, you mentioned both tracks regarding pit entry...but actually both tracks had at least their pit exits changed some time ago due to safety reasons (especially Canada is a promiment example, after Schumacher had pushed HH Frentzen out in 1998).

Edited by LiJu914, 15 June 2018 - 07:36.

[yonzzu]

Does anyone know if it's possible to access Paul Ricard today? The preparations for the GP must already be under way.

I'm nearby and thought it would be cool to visit the track.

[Heyli]

You don’t expect drivers to be taking massive risks when testing. You expect consistent runs.

Yeah, but I mean now in the race weekend . 

[statman]

https://www.formula1...018/france.html

 

Red Bull onboard video @ Paul Ricard.

 

Prediction: no overtakes 

 

Saw these from the 1990 race btw:

 

Onboard with a V12  :

 

 

Full race:

 

[Jon83]

Some of the track looks ok but my God all that run-off is dreadful.

[Sterzo]

Some of the track looks ok but my God all that run-off is dreadful.

I do hope dear old Grosjean doesn't get lost amidst all the stripes. I don't think I could take the radio messages.

[TennisUK]

Gotta find that picture of the wife and I in Bandol back in the 80's.
Jp

I'm in Bandol right now with my wife as it happens

[TomNokoe]

28°C and Ultra Softs ?

[ConsiderAndGo]

28°C and Ultra Softs ?

Looking forward to it.

 

Not.

 

I'm sure they'll last 40 laps.

[Atreiu]

Everything was better in 1990. 

[stewie]

Everything was better in 1990.

Yep, I was 6yrs old and life was a darn sight easier.

[inox]

 

I think Montreal is the most similar circuit in the calendar with Ricard. All four flat out sections (green) and reminiscent curve combinations (blue) are similarly placed. However, the turns and flat out sections at Ricard are generally longer (as can be seen from these same scale aerial shots). I marked the Signes curve as flat out too, although I suspect they have to lift off a bit there.

 

I think it is good time to revisit this Montreal vs Ricard topic due to lack of overtaking at Canada. Will it be any better at Ricard?

 

Lets list the 4 longest "straights" (flat out sections) in both circuits:

 

Montreal:

1. 1150 m (back straight)

2. 640 m (start/finish straight)

3. 610 m ("straight" turning to right and heading to the chicane)

4. 580 m ("straight" turning to left and heading to the hairpin)

 

Paul Ricard:

1. 1030 m  (Mistral straight part 1, straight section. If the left kink to the straight is taken flat out, then the flat out section is about 1200 m)

2. 930 m (start/finish straight)

3. 730 m (Mistral straight part 2, including road out of the chicane. If the Signes curve is flat out, then the flat out section is 1140 m)

4. 500 m (the winding "straight" following the start/finish straight) 

 

Average of 4 longest flat out sections:

Montreal: 745 m

Ricard: 798 m (minimum), 943 m (maximum)

[ar1]

Everything was better in 1990. 

 

So many more cars in the races

[Louis Mr. F1]

So many more cars in the races

 

Even more in qualifying, and further more, they needed an extra pre-qualifying session to reduce the number of participants in the actual qualifying session

Edited by Louis Mr. F1, 15 June 2018 - 23:52.

[jonpollak]

I'm in Bandol right now with my wife as it happens

Well...Here we are.

1989 I think.

Was a real Leyton House fan at that time.

 

 

 

Jp

[metz]

Can’t believe they put EB in charge it the track.
Here is a guy who takes a respectable Renault team and immediately turns it into an embarrassment called Lotus
They fire him and he gets the gig at McLaren and immediately takes that team from a contender to the biggest disappointment in Motorsport. So they also fire him.
Now he’s put in charge of one of the best tracks on the schedule. How long will it take him to sink that ship as well?
Was he the only Frenchman they could find?
Terrible choice.

[BRG]

Now he’s put in charge of one of the best tracks on the schedule. 

I think you misread the article.  He is in charge of Paul Ricard, not of one of the best tracks.  It is an abortion and it is hard to see how he could make it any worse.  Who knows, he might even make it better. 

[metz]

Yes BRG. I should have said significant, Or important. not best
Looking through the history of the track right through Bernie’s rescue it seems to me the problem was always management and ownership, not technical.

[TennisUK]

Can’t believe they put EB in charge it the track.
Here is a guy who takes a respectable Renault team and immediately turns it into an embarrassment called Lotus
They fire him and he gets the gig at McLaren and immediately takes that team from a contender to the biggest disappointment in Motorsport. So they also fire him.
Now he’s put in charge of one of the best tracks on the schedule. How long will it take him to sink that ship as well?
Was he the only Frenchman they could find?
Terrible choice.

I’d say he did a fantastic job at Lotus after Renault had wound the team down - the team hadn’t been truly top level since 2006 (ignoring the two dodgy Alonso wins in 2008) but they got a couple of wins and god knows how many podiums during his tenure.

Mclaren - yeah, fair cop.