952 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

Un, Deux, Trois! Formula 1's first TRIPLE HEADER begins with a return to Paul Ricard, the first time in almost 30 years.

It seems the calendar-logistics guru didn't realise that France was actually a whole ocean away from French-Canada...





Drivers are greeted by a test-bed of long straights and sweeping corners. A French Silverstone? Judge for yourself.



That's a rough 1m38s from Buemi, thankfully without slow zones to catch him out!

How much quicker will we go on Saturday?

The field
Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari are hoping to build momentum after an impressive Canadian victory. However, a resurgent, (upgraded?) Mercedes challenge is expected. Similar circuit layout at Catalunya only a month ago gave way to Ferrari's worst performance of the season.

Red Bull will perhaps end up in no man's land again, but a rumoured fuel upgrade to accompany their recent engine upgrades may edge them further and further towards the top step of the podium.

Fernando Alonso, Le Mans winner, heads the stuttering midfield, but safe in the knowledge that his endurance racing experience should leave him in good shape to quickly move aside when the leaders come through on Sunday afternoon... but seriously what's wrong with McLaren?

The national trio of Ocon, Gasly and Grosjean will be battling for personal glory. I've no idea who will come out on top. Japanese success on French turf, again...?



It's those special 0.4mm thinner tyres, again.

Yeah, one stop, even if it's 30°C air. Rain, who knows?

Timetable (UTC)
Practice 1
Fri 10:00 – 11:30

Practice 2
Fri 14:00 – 15:30

Practice 3
Sat 11:00 – 13:00

Qualifying
Sat 14:00 – 15:00

Race
Sun 14:10 – 16:10

REMINDER that race start time has been moved an hour later to accommodate Football Coming Home.

Edited by TomNokoe, 19 June 2018 - 19:01.

[domhnall]

What was the justification for not using the full Mistral for this? Real shame imo. What have they done about grandstands? Presume they've installed temporary stands or something?? Never a big fan of this track, another track where a few gravel traps would't go astray. 

[TomNokoe]

LMP1 used the full length for The Prologue.

[Atreiu]

What was the justification for not using the full Mistral for this? (...)

 

F1 has a boner for chincanes.

 

I like the circuit, hopefully the race will not be a dud.

[Unicast]

What was the justification for not using the full Mistral for this? Real shame imo. What have they done about grandstands? Presume they've installed temporary stands or something?? Never a big fan of this track, another track where a few gravel traps would't go astray. 

 

I think they stated that it was because they don't want the speeds to get out of control.

[Unicast]

This one is difficult to predict, the layout looks geared toward more downforce than Canada but less than Spain so it's somewhere in between. Probably teams will still run a medium-high DF levels.

It's anyone's guess how teams will perform but I still feel it's gonna be between Ferrari & Merc barring something really unexpected.

Let's see what the new Merc PU will bring to the table, on one side we have Bottas saying that the new engine is only marginally faster than the previous spec and on other sites I've seen even quotes of 3 tenths faster per lap (which seem a bit inflated) but we'll see.

Also it's gonna be interested to see if Ferrari will experience the same issues with the tires or if the tire test post Spain has helped them solve their issues.

[SophieB]

It's coming home, it's coming home, F1's coming home!

[Blackoutjulian]

This one is difficult to predict, the layout looks geared toward more downforce than Canada but less than Spain so it's somewhere in between. Probably teams will still run a medium-high DF levels.
It's anyone's guess how teams will perform but I still feel it's gonna be between Ferrari & Merc barring something really unexpected.
Let's see what the new Merc PU will bring to the table, on one side we have Bottas saying that the new engine is only marginally faster than the previous spec and on other sites I've seen even quotes of 3 tenths faster per lap (which seem a bit inflated) but we'll see.
Also it's gonna be interested to see if Ferrari will experience the same issues with the tires or if the tire test post Spain has helped them solve their issues.

Please link those sites who think the new Mercedes engine will be worth 3 tenths...

[Myrvold]

I think they stated that it was because they don't want the speeds to get out of control.

Their gear ratio is locked for the season regardless, so there wouldn't be much point in having it geared for insane speeds at Paul Ricard as that would be less than useful at other tracks.

[Muppetmad]

Maybe it's just me, but I sense that the amount of run-off in turn 1, combined with its relatively high speed, could lead to some clumsy incidents on lap 1.

[Unicast]

Please link those sites who think the new Mercedes engine will be worth 3 tenths...

 

Read it on some forum, I don't have a link that's why I'm saying the information is contradictory... but I was not stating that figure as being supported by facts in the first place

[Unicast]

Their gear ratio is locked for the season regardless, so there wouldn't be much point in having it geared for insane speeds at Paul Ricard as that would be less than useful at other tracks.

 

Correct but with the full Mistral straight being used, probably the cars would have been setup-ed for much lower DF levels hence the speeds would increase by quite a lot.

[MasterOfCoin]

I hope i never hear Crofty or anyone else again say.....this blank insert track, has longs straights so overtaking should be easy......

[Unicast]

I hope i never hear Crofty or anyone else again say.....this blank insert track, has longs straights so overtaking should be easy......

 

Yeah... it's not so much about the straights but more about the corners preceding the said straights and the braking zones... so I see where you're going.

[jonpollak]

It's coming home, it's coming home, F1's coming home!

 

Mrs. Jp and I used to go to this race a lot in the late 80's

[cheekybru]

Yeah... it's not so much about the straights but more about the corners preceding the said straights and the braking zones... so I see where you're going.

Yup I don't feel good about the fast turns after both drs straights here, another procession probably

[TennisUK]

I’m a man in the ground here. I plan to cycle up the track tomorrow morning if my Rose hangover is tolerable. Will post pics if I get round to it.

When I went up last week stands were still being erected.

Chicane on the Mistral is to create an overtaking zone. Realistically it won’t effect speed to to Signes anyway as all the speed in these hybrids is obtained fairly early on so they will be a fairly similar speed come Signes anyway.

I love this place and in particular Bandol. I must confess I think the race may be a bit pedestrian but fingers crossed it is great as the locals do seem to give a ****, which is a refreshing change.

[jonpollak]

Thanks TUK. Look forward to your impressions.

[Venom]

In the last 10 years I honestly can't remember having less anticipation for a new (or returning) track. This generation of cars aren't built for many tracks but this looks like it could be one of the worst. I'm in the mindset of expecting the worst and then any surprise can only be positive. 

[teejay]

The French Grand Prix powered by chat all weekend about Honda RBR 2019. 

 

That will be the big news. 

[SCUDmissile]

track looks to have literally zero overtaking opportunities with these cars.

[RECKLESS]

Track looks real nice on that onboard. Looking forward to Friday already! Vive la Midsummer!

[Tiakumosan]

What was the justification for not using the full Mistral for this? Real shame imo. What have they done about grandstands? Presume they've installed temporary stands or something?? Never a big fan of this track, another track where a few gravel traps would't go astray.

I remember something about engines don't lasting the required amount of kilometers because they would be too stressed on the full straight. I must be imagining things, though.

[TennisUK]

I remember something about engines don't lasting the required amount of kilometers because they would be too stressed on the full straight. I must be imagining things, though.

It would be similar to China so I don’t think that is the problem. It’s to actually have one vague overtaking spot I think.

[pkonsti]

The offical program covers of the French GP's so far:

 

[JeePee]

Turn 8 (entry of the chicane on Mistral) is too open. Braking zone is very short, so I guess we will see no (real) overtakes here.

 

Shame. They should have used the full straight. Signes is easy flat now.

[statman]

as I said before (in the other topic): ugly track. Try not to get a headache watching this with all the red and blue strips. Plus it looks like a giant car park without any buzzy atmosphere..

Edited by statman, 20 June 2018 - 08:12.

[Goron3]

Turn 8 (entry of the chicane on Mistral) is too open. Braking zone is very short, so I guess we will see no (real) overtakes here.

 

Shame. They should have used the full straight. Signes is easy flat now.

Agree 100%. I actually thought it was supposed to be a hard braking zone similar to the final chicane at Montreal but that doesn't seem to case. 

 

The second part of that straight doesn't seem long enough for the cars to hit their highest top speeds which is a shame. 330kph into Signes would be fun to watch.

[TennisUK]

Agree 100%. I actually thought it was supposed to be a hard braking zone similar to the final chicane at Montreal but that doesn't seem to case.

The second part of that straight doesn't seem long enough for the cars to hit their highest top speeds which is a shame. 330kph into Signes would be fun to watch.

I genuinely don’t think it will do much to reduce Signes top speeds. Regardless these cars would be easily flat there anyway these days.

EDIT: of course possibly the tyres wouldn’t allow it being easily flat for too long, which may be the rationale... tyre failure in Signes at 200mph is not funny...

Edited by TennisUK, 20 June 2018 - 08:50.

[statman]

 

French GP 1976

 

1. James Hunt, McLaren-Ford

2. Patrick Depailler, Tyrrell-Ford

3. John Watson, Penske-Ford

[TennisUK]

Pretty confident we won’t be seeing a McLaren win here this year.

[PayasYouRace]

I’m always happy to see new or returning circuits hosting GPs. I’m just too young to have seen the GP at Paul Ricard.

[Jon83]

I’m always happy to see new or returning circuits hosting GPs. I’m just too young to have seen the GP at Paul Ricard.

 

And especially a race in France.

 

Absolutely incredible to think it's been ten years since the last French GP.

[Loosenut]

And especially a race in France.

Absolutely incredible to think it's been ten years since the last French GP.

A bloody crime that France went a single year without a Grand Prix, its like a child growing up without its mother.
Great to see it back at Paul Ricard aswell

[TennisUK]

50km bike ride this morning - set off around 8AM and noticed a group of 10-15 Toro Rosso and Ferrari mechanics are staying in the same apartment block we are in Bandol, waiting to get picked up and taken to the track. Bandol is the nearest coastal town to the track, and the nicest one too, in my opinion. It is pretty lovely this time of year so i must recommend staying a while if you ever visit this race:
 

 
I went to the track Sunday before last and except for a few billionaires in their 911 GT3RS hooning around the track it was pretty dead. They seemed to be erecting stands and so on, but the whole place was quiet. Today the DN8 from Le Beausset to the track was loads busier, including lots of team personnel making their way up in transit vans etc.
 

 
Above photo is I think the 'fanzone' as it's now called - i.e the official over priced shops that sit behind the main straight granstands, which are themselves opposite the pits.
 
The official entrance was jammed with people coming and going today, plus I reckon circa 100 cyclists making their way up or down the DN8 to check out the track then go home again. A guy and I tracked each other the whole way from Le Beausset town tot he circuit entrance then I sprinted away right at the end We both gave thumbs up when he got to the top.
 

 
I then cycled partially back down then took a right towards Signes (you may have noticed the names are familiar - like Le Mans, Silverstone and others many of the corner names come from the towns nearest the corner...) to see what the other entrances were like. Not a great deal to see.
 
A very ugly white wall (I'm sure Bernie would not be pleased) hides what lies within:
 

 
I just about saw over the top that the grand stands at le Beausset corner happen to be uncovered - very bad news for any gingers in the crowd.

So nothing to see really.

It looks like there is a section of road being built in a brand new commercial complex behind Mistral - it seems quite close to completion, so I suspect they are running a few weeks late. Ooops.

Edited by TennisUK, 20 June 2018 - 09:15.

[TennisUK]

Having been to Magny Bores 15 years ago, and having been here for a couple of weeks now, there is no question in my mind which the better place to holiday in is...

[cpbell]

I’m always happy to see new or returning circuits hosting GPs. I’m just too young to have seen the GP at Paul Ricard.

I recall the final two, but they were on the short version.  In those days, with lighter, shorter, less aerodynamically-sensitive cars, it was pretty good for overtaking.

Edited by cpbell, 20 June 2018 - 09:32.

[FullOppositeLock]

Having been to Magny Bores 15 years ago, and having been here for a couple of weeks now, there is no question in my mind which the better place to holiday in is...

 

I lived in Nevers for four years back in my late teenage years. It was alright, but given the choice between there and the Cote d'Azur, well it's not really a contest.

[FLB]

It's already a financial success. According to the First Vice-President of the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Nice Côte-d'Azur, Jean-Pierre Savarino, there will be a positive economic fallout of more than 68 Million Euros on the region:

 

http://www.varmatin....astellet-238847 (en francais)

[Jon83]

How ridiculous does the F1 logo look on those flags!?

 

Looks more like a reverse (new and equally hideous) Juventus logo.

[noikeee]

50km bike ride this morning - set off around 8AM and noticed a group of 10-15 Toro Rosso and Ferrari mechanics are staying in the same apartment block we are in Bandol, waiting to get picked up and taken to the track. Bandol is the nearest coastal town to the track, and the nicest one too, in my opinion. It is pretty lovely this time of year so i must recommend staying a while if you ever visit this race:
 

 

That looks brilliant. Must be pretty damn expensive to get accomodation there in June though? I presume quite a lot cheaper to go there than the Monaco race but still. 

[ANF]

How ridiculous does the F1 logo look on those flags!?
 
Looks more like a reverse (new and equally hideous) Juventus logo.

I didn't even notice them.

[TennisUK]

That looks brilliant. Must be pretty damn expensive to get accomodation there in June though? I presume quite a lot cheaper to go there than the Monaco race but still.

I gambled on roughly when the date would be and booked for a flat for a month, two weeks holiday and two weeks working remotely I would say it is more expensive than Monaco, simply because with Monaco you can stay somewhere like Biot or Nice and get the train into Monaco pretty easily on race morning; it is super well organised there these days. General admission at Monaco on the rock under the castle is also very reasonable and it’s probably the best view in the house, too.

[noikeee]

I gambled on roughly when the date would be and booked for a flat for a month, two weeks holiday and two weeks working remotely I would say it is more expensive than Monaco, simply because with Monaco you can stay somewhere like Biot or Nice and get the train into Monaco pretty easily on race morning; it is super well organised there these days. General admission at Monaco on the rock under the castle is also very reasonable and it’s probably the best view in the house, too.

 

****. Doing the same is off my ideas list then. 

[TennisUK]

If you want a cheap race to attend I noticed Austria is €90 for the three days GA... beautiful place too, though I’d rather be here tbh

[Heyli]

If you want a cheap race to attend I noticed Austria is €90 for the three days GA... beautiful place too, though I’d rather be here tbh

Yep, I´m going again this year. Can only recommend it!  

[Jon83]

If you want a cheap race to attend I noticed Austria is €90 for the three days GA... beautiful place too, though I’d rather be here tbh

 

Surely one of the best tracks for GA too?

[BuddyHolly]

I like Paul Ricard but even so, Elio always pops to the front of my mind when I think about the place. 

Hopefully the race won't be a borefest.

[TennisUK]

Surely one of the best tracks for GA too?

I suspect it would be, yes (not been, maybe next year:) ). I also think Ricard might be reasonable for GA, too. GA is quite variable, Monza is atrocious but I think Austria and Hungary are probably two of the best. Small crowds at Austria make it even more viable. Silverstone is so busy I don’t like GA there as it means you can’t really go for a wander...

[statman]

some pictures from Albert Fabrega:

 

 

Yellow kerbs