40 replies to this topic

[Le Castellet]

i live near the Paul Ricard track, that’s the reason why i am fan of racing cars.

So, i try to have the all story of this track. The results of the French grand prix are available in all books about formula one, but the private tests which took place here are not easy to find.
Within this forum, i have already found some tests times held at Paul Ricard.

So, if someone can complete, step by step, the story of these tests between 1978 and 1997, it would be great;

Each time I succeed in finding some test times or some information, i will put them on this thread.

For example, i know that Philippe Streiff (Renault in 1982), Alain Ferté (Renault in 1982) Christophe Bouchut (Larrousse in 1994) & Michel Ferté (Ligier in 1983) made their first formula 1 test at Paul Ricard. Unfortunalty for the first third, i haven’t got any complete time.
For Michel Ferté, i have the complete time, which let see that he was really a fast driver… but Guy Ligier thought he was not enough rich ! With a poor Ligier, he was quicker than Senna and Baldi on board Brabham :

Piquet Brabham/BMW tb 1'02.60"
Tambay Renault tb 1'04.20"
Laffite Williams/Honda tb 1'04.30"
Warwick Renault tb 1'04.50"
Palmer Williams/Honda tb 1'05.40"
Cesaris Ligier/Ford 1'06.50"
Ferté Ligier/Ford 1'07.70"
Baldi Brabham/BMW tb 1'07.80"
Senna Brabham/BMW tb 1'07.90"
Guerrero Brabham/BMW tb 1'08.60"
Martini Brabham/BMW tb 1'08.90"

I read the theard of Irvine99, and my times are probably not complete because there is not Christian Danner on board the Brabham/BMW

So, Mr Guido and anyone else, if you can help me for making in that thread a catalogue of the most important private session held at Paul Ricard between 1978 and 1997, I would be great.

Like Mr Guido, i would say that my source will be “Var Matin”.

[gdecarli]

Quite a long search! I can't promise you anything, as I will be much busier because opf my job, but when I find something, I will post here.
For example, I'm looking info about Alfa Romeo first test at Balocco (see Alfa Romeo thread) and on another page on the same Autosprint I find one. So...

MAY 22nd, 1978 (5800 m circuit) : GOODYEAR TEST
(from Autosprint 22/1978 page 21)

Day after Belgium GP Tyrrell, Lotus, Williams, Brabham and Arrows wend to Le Castellet for a Goodyear test. Monday May 22nd was a rainy day, so everybody waited for the following day. Andretti has no official timing because it has many problem with injection.
Lotus and Tyrrell wanted to test also on Wednesday, but track was not available, so they all went back home.

These are best time on 5800 m circuit (Lauda's time was unofficial new record) and max speed at end of Mistral straight:

Niki Lauda		 Brabham BT46 Alfa Romeo  1'46"45  293.087

Riccardo Patrese   Arrows FA-1 Cosworth	 1'47"10  287.079

Alan Jones		 Williams FW06 Cosworth   1'47"45  287.028

Patrick Depailler  Tyrrell 008 Cosworth	 1'48"48  283.020

Mario Andretti	 Lotus 79 Cosworth		   -		-

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

from Ultimate TEST DRIVER Thread! and other threads...

• Winter 1979-1980 (see this post)
  I posted best times of some young drivers looking for a contract...
• 1983, December 12-13-14-15 (see this post on Danner Brabham test 1983/1984 thread)
• 1992 (see this post)
  At the begining of the 1992 season, Alain Prost test during 2 days the Ligier Renault at the Paul Ricard, the first day with an Erik Comas helmet.
• 1994 (see this post)
  Emmanuel Clerico - Larrousse/Ford : 1'07"72
  Hideki Noda - Larrousse/Ford : 1'08"11
• December 1996 (see this post)
  Sauber had a 3-days test with both drivers, Johnny Herbert and Hainz Harald Frentzen. I have no time about this test.

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

AUGUST 22nd - 23rd 1978 (3300 m circuit) : ALFA ROMEO TEST
(from Autosprint 35/1978 pages 33-35)

Tuesday Brambilla tested Alfa Romeo: he has problems with high water and oil temperature. Following days Niki Lauds tested the same car, again with such (and other) problem. Best times:

Vittorio Brambilla   Alfa-Alfa	1'10"8   Tuesday August 22nd 1978

NIki Lauda		   Alfa-Alfa	1'11"4   Wednesday August 23rd 1978

Ciao,
Guido

(see also Alfa Romeo thread)

[Le Castellet]

Originally posted by gdecarli
from Ultimate TEST DRIVER Thread! and other threads...[list][*]Winter 1979-1980 (see this post)
I posted best times of some young drivers looking for a contract...

Mr Guido, can you give us the best times of this winter 1979-1980, because i suppose a lot of drivers drove.

Today, i have found this :

Paul Ricard (club circuit) tests - Mai 1983

Piquet (Brabham - BMW tb) 1’07’’90
Mansell (Lotus – Ford) 1’09’’XX
Alboreto (Tyrrell – Ford) 1’09’’XX
[b]Piquet (RAM March - Ford) 1’09’’80 - 27 tours


Thank you.

[Le Castellet]

And thank you very much Mr Guido

It's quite a long search, but we have all time...

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Le Castellet
Mr Guido, can you give us the best times of this winter 1979-1980, because i suppose a lot of drivers drove.
Piquet (RAM March - Ford) 1’09’’80 - 27 tours

Piquet on RAM? Why?
As regards 1979-1980, I will post something later

Ciao,
Guido

[Geza Sury]

Piquet indeed drove the RAM at Paul Ricard. You can find the details here

[Le Castellet]

Originally posted by gdecarli
Piquet on RAM? Why?
As regards 1979-1980, I will post something later

Ciao,
Guido

From "Var Matin" : John McDonald's wanted Piquet to test the "balance" of the car, before Monaco and after the French grand prix when RAM entered a second car for Jean-Louis Schlesser #18 who not qualifyed.
i haven't got picture, but i am sure that test took place.

Unfortunatly, i haven't got the real time of Mansell and Michele to compare the time of Piquet on board the RAM with another Ford engined car.

"Var matin" is not a sport newspaper...

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Geza Sury
Piquet indeed drove the RAM at Paul Ricard. You can find the details here

Thank you.
Before your post, I vaguely recalled something about Piquet on RAM, maybe I have read on some thread, now I understand the reason of this test.

By the way, according to this article this test was between San Marino GP (May 1st) and Monaco GP (May 15th) 1983.

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Le Castellet
Mr Guido, can you give us the best times of this winter 1979-1980, because i suppose a lot of drivers drove.

WINTER TEST 1980 - from October 1979 to January 1980 (3300 m circuit)
(From Autosprint 2/1980 page 13)

Here following bast times scored in winter test from October 1979 to January 1980. I don't know when each driver scored his best time and maybe also more drivers drove even if they are not listen here.

• Alan Jones (Williams FW07 Cosworth) 1'04"7
• Nelson Piquet (Brabham BT49 Cosworth) 1'04"9
• René Arnoux (Renault RS10) 1'05"2
• Elio De Angelis (Lotus 81 Cosworth) 1'05"3
• Alain Prost (McLaren M28B Cosworth) 1'05"4
• Jacques Laffite (Ligier JS 11/12 Cosworth) 1'05"4
• Didier Pironi (Ligier JS 11/12 Cosworth) 1'05"4
• Carlos Reutemann (Williams FW07 Cosworth) 1'05"6
• Gilles Villeneuve (Ferrari 312 T5) 1'05"7
• Bruno Giacomelli (Alfa Romeo 179) 1'05"8
• Mario Andretti (Lotus 81 Cosworth) 1'05"9
• John Watson (McLaren M28B Cosworth) 1'05"9
• Emerson Fittipaldi (Fittipaldi F7 Cosworth) 1'06"1
• Jean-Pierre Jabouille (Renault RS10) 1'06"2
• Jody Scheckter (Ferrari 312 T5) 1'06"5
• Ricardo Zunino (Brabham BT49 Cosworth) 1'06"6
• Marc Surer (ATS D4 Cosworth) 1'07"6
• Stephen South (Lotus 79 Cosworth) 1'07"7 or better (October 22nd to 25th 1979)
• Jean-Pierre Jarier (Tyrrell 009 Cosworth) 1'07"9
• Derek Daly (Tyrrell 009 Cosworth) 1'08"0
• Rick Mears (Brabham BT49 Cosworth) 1'08"8 (December 13th 1979)
• Jan Lammers (ATS D3 Cosworth) 1'08"9
• Eddie Cheever (Lotus 79 Cosworth) 1'10"51 (October 24th 1979)
• Patrick Depailler (Alfa Romeo 179) 1'11"1
• Nigel Mansell (Lotus 79 Cosworth) 1'12"3 (October 25th 1979)

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

DECEMBER 20th - 22nd 1994 (3300 m circuit)
(from Autosprint 1/1995 page 20)

Williams and Ferrari tested both old 3500cc and new 3000cc engines. I'm not sure about Damon Hill's car: article says he drove only 350cc engine, but his car is listed as FW16C. Williams had only two car (one new FW16C, one old FW16B), so possibly he drove FW16B.

TEST AT PAUL RICARD (3300m) DECEMBER 1994				  Tue, Dec 20th Wed, Dec 21st Thu, Dec 22nd--------------------------- -----------------------------  ------------- ------------- -------------1. Emmanuel Collard		 Williams FW16B Renault 3500cc	  -		 1'04"520 ( 9) 1'04"420 (35)2. Jean Christophe Boullion Williams FW16B Renault 3500cc  1'04"980 (49) 1'06"150 (70)	 -3. Nicola Larini			Ferrari 412T1B		 3500cc	  -			 -		 1'05"350 (35)4. Gerhard Berger		   Ferrari 412T1B		 3500cc  1'05"740 (52) 1'07"660 ( 7)	 -5. Emmanuel Collard		 Williams FW16C Renault 3000cc  1'05"800 (29)	 -			 -6. Jean Christophe Boullion Williams FW16C Renault 3000cc	  -			 -		 1'05"910 (63)7. Damon Hill			   Williams FW16C Renault 3500cc	  -		 1'06"010 (70)	 -8. Nicola Larini			Ferrari 412T1B		 3000cc  1'08"980 (41) 1'07"610 (54)	 -9. Elton Julian			 Larrousse Lh94 Ford	3500cc	  -		 1'08"380 (31)	 -

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

While looking for something else, I found an aerial view (not ortho photo!) of new Paul Ricard HTTP.
It's not very clear, as circuit is quite far from camera...
However, you can find it on Jari's Astronomy site (by the way, on this site you can find many wonderful photos, even if they have nothing to do with racing!)

Ciao,
Guido

[bira]

Aerial view of Paul Richard doesn't get better than this

Here is a small copy of the above URL:

[rhpearson]

Could there be more possible configurations there!

Could see how Bernie would want the GP there: "hmmm... didn't like that configuration for this year's GP, lets add this corner for next year..."

And the convenience of the airstrip!

[gdecarli]

There should be 40 different configurations.
Daniel King has published all of them on his Racingcircuits.net!

Ciao,
Guido

[rhpearson]

Hey that is a great site for tracks!

Couldn't see that extra corner at Signes from the photo...

[gdecarli]

I have no photos, but try to give a lok to official website, click on Voir le circuit en detail and compare A and B solution...

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

DECEMBER 12th - 16th 1979 (3300 m circuit)
(from Autosprint 51/1979 pages 30-35)

First test for Rick Mears (Brabham), Lotus 81 and for new Fittipaldi, derived from old Wolf WR7. Zunino is at his first test after US GP. Depailler made his first drive on Alfe Romeo, but he had to finish test after few laps because he still had problems at his legs.
Max speed was taken (on Friday only) just before Signes, at the end of Mistral straight. Because of strong wind, on Wednesday Piquet and Zunino made few laps and I have no times.
I also miss times scored by Andretti on Saturday (he was very slow, as he run only 3 laps) and by Depailler on Friday.

TEST AT PAUL RICARD (3300m) DECEMBER 1979   Wed 12  Thu  13	Friday   14	 Sat 15   Sun 16

-----------------------------------------   ------  -------  ---------------   ------   ------

Nelson Piquet	   Brabham BT49 Ford		  ?	1'05"55  1'04"9  261.100	  -		-

Jacques Laffite	 Ligier JS11-15 Ford		-	   -	 1'05"4  256.600   1'06"1	  -

Alain Prost		 McLaren M29B Ford		  -	   -	 1'06"2  253.300   1'05"6	  -

Emerson Fittipaldi  Fittipaldi Ford			-	1'09"9   1'07"3  253.300   1'06"1	  -

Ricardo Zunino	  Brabham BT49 Ford		  ?	1'06"8	  -	   -		 -		-

John Watson		 McLaren M29B Ford		  -	1'07"9   1'06"95 251.100	  -		-

Mario Andretti	  Lotus 81 Ford			  -	   -		-	   -	  3 laps   1'08"2

Rick Mears		  Brabham BT49 Ford		  -	1'08"8	  -	   -		 -		-

Patrick Depailler   Alfa Romeo 179			 -	1'11"1   20 laps	-		 -		-

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

I have just posted November 1981 (up to December 5), Winter 1983 and a couple of 1987-1988 test times in Ultimate TEST DRIVER Thread!.

Ciao,
Guido

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Le Castellet
Paul Ricard (club circuit) tests - Mai 1983

Piquet (Brabham - BMW tb) 1’07’’90
Mansell (Lotus – Ford) 1’09’’XX
Alboreto (Tyrrell – Ford) 1’09’’XX
Piquet (RAM March - Ford) 1’09’’80 - 27 tours

As I have just posted on Ultimate TEST DRIVER Thread!, this test was dated May 9th and 10th 1983 and this is what I found on Rombo 20/1983, page 107:

Driver				Car				   Mon 9   Tue 10

--------------------  --------------------  ------  -------

Alain	Prost		Renault RE40		  1'06"2  1'06"21

Nelson   Piquet	   Brabham BT52 BMW	  1'06"5  1'06"9

Eddie	Cheever	  Renault RE40		  1'07"0  1'07"05

Michele  Alboreto	 Tyrrell 011 Cosworth	 -	1'07"3

Manfred  Winkelhock   ATS BMW			   1'07"4  1'09"3

Nigel	Mansell	  Lotus 93T Renault		-	1'09"28

Nelson   Piquet	   RAM 1 01 Cosworth	 1'10"0	 -

For sure Mansell drove Lotus Renault turbo, even if at that time he was racing with Lotus Cosworth.

Ciao,
Guido

[Le Castellet]

Originally posted by gdecarli
As I have just posted on Ultimate TEST DRIVER Thread!, this test was dated May 9th and 10th 1983 and this is what I found on Rombo 20/1983, page 107:

Driver				Car				   Mon 9   Tue 10

--------------------  --------------------  ------  -------

Alain	Prost		Renault RE40		  1'06"2  1'06"21

Nelson   Piquet	   Brabham BT52 BMW	  1'06"5  1'06"9

Eddie	Cheever	  Renault RE40		  1'07"0  1'07"05

Michele  Alboreto	 Tyrrell 011 Cosworth	 -	1'07"3

Manfred  Winkelhock   ATS BMW			   1'07"4  1'09"3

Nigel	Mansell	  Lotus 93T Renault		-	1'09"28

Nelson   Piquet	   RAM 1 01 Cosworth	 1'10"0	 -

For sure Mansell drove Lotus Renault turbo, even if at that time he was racing with Lotus Cosworth.

Ciao,
Guido

Thank you very much Mr Guido

[gdecarli]

F.1 TEST AT LE CASTELLET/PAUL RICARD, 3300 m circuit - DECEMBER 5-7, 1978
(From Autosprint 50/1978 pages 38-39)

Driver			   Car							 Tue 5	Wed 6	Thu 7

-------------------  -----------------------------  -------  -------  -------

Patrick  Depailler   Ligier JS11 Cosworth		   1'07"78  1'07"4   1'06"72

Jacques  Laffite	 Ligier JS11 Cosworth		   1'08"7   1'06"8   1'06"9

Riccardo Patrese	 Arrows Cosworth				1'09"45  1'09"2   1'08"9

Alan	 Jones	   Williams FW06 "new" Cosworth   1'09"72  1'09"3	  -

Jan	  Lammers	 Shadow Cosworth				1'11"58  1'09"76	 -

Clay	 Regazzoni   Williams FW06 "1978" Cosworth  1'09"94  1'09"9   1'10"9

Eddie	Cheever	 Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 1'10"13

Elio	 De Angelis  Shadow Cosworth				1'10"93  1'10"4	  -

Danny	Ongais	  Shadow Cosworth				   -	 1'13"6   1'10"5

Patrick  Neve		Kaushen WK 01				  1'14"1   1'11"3	  -

Giacomo  Agostini	Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 1'11"9

Lella	Lombardi	Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 1'14"

Frank	Williams	Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 no time

Patrick  Head		Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 no time

It's interesting to see Eddie Cheever on a Williams: he was promised a test during Italy GP. Giacomo Agostini and Lella Lombardi drove official car, the same used by Regazzoni, in order to accustom to this car that they would have used in 1979 in Aurora. The same car was tested by two other drivers... they are both quite famous, even if not as drivers!
Williams had a FW06 with some changes for 1979 season, and a standard one. I think that only Jones and maybe Regazzoni drove the modified one. Both Depailler and Laffite drove Ligier JS9 Matra and JS11 Cosworth, but best times were scored by the new one.

More details and photos about Kaushen can be found on Kauhsen & Merzario (merged) thread.

Ciao,
Guido

(posted also on Ultimate test driver thread!)

[Fiorentina 1]

In late 94, Laurrosse tested American, Elton Julian twice. Once before the Jap-Aus races, and once in December right before they closed the team. I think both tests were at Paul Ricard.

[gdecarli]

In January 1990 (from 26 to 29) short circuit hosted last Zakspeed F.1 test (I think). More info about Zakspeed can be found on Zakspeed testing thread; best times were as follows:

• Eric Bernard (Larrousse Lamborghini) 1'08"86 - 86 laps
• Philippe Alliot (Ligier Cosworth) 1'09"10
• Aguri Suzuki (Larrousse Lamborghini) 1'09"77 - 125 laps
• Stefano Modena (Brabham Judd) 1'10"30
• Bernd Schneider (Zakspeed Yamaha) 1'14"40 - 20 laps

Bernard worked on new Lamborghini engine and new gearbox, Suzuki compared 1989 and 1990 cars. Rainy wheater.

Ciao,
Guido

(from Autosprint #6/1990, page 24)

[gdecarli]

On Sunday January 19th 1992 Alain Prost tested Ligier JS37 Renault at Paul Ricard. In that period, he was going to sign with Ligier for 1992 but of course he wanted to test the car before.
The JS37 was tested for the first time by Thierry Boutsen scored on Friday 17th (1'04"59). On Saturday he did 1'04"70. On Sunday Prost scored 1'04"80.
A funny note: Prost used Comas helmet!

In the same days the quickest was Riccardo Patrese (Williams FW14 Renault) 1'03"30 and it was first test for Andrea Montermini on Larrousse LC91 Lamborghini: he drove for 3 days, best time 1'05"93 scored on Sunday 19th (the last day).

Ciao,
Guido

(from Autosprint 4/1992 page 39)

[William Hunt]

Originally posted by Le Castellet
"For Michel Ferté, i have the complete time, which let see that he was really a fast driver… but Guy Ligier thought he was not enough rich ! With a poor Ligier, he was quicker than Senna and Baldi on board Brabham"

I never really understood why Michel Ferté was never hired by Ligier. He seemed a better choice than François Hesnault but money could have been the reason. Both Ferté brothers were excellent drivers and at least deserved a chance in F1.

[ybee02]

Originally posted by gdecarli
F.1 TEST AT LE CASTELLET/PAUL RICARD, 3300 m circuit - DECEMBER 5-7, 1978
(From Autosprint 50/1978 pages 38-39)

Driver			   Car							 Tue 5	Wed 6	Thu 7

-------------------  -----------------------------  -------  -------  -------

Patrick  Depailler   Ligier JS11 Cosworth		   1'07"78  1'07"4   1'06"72

Jacques  Laffite	 Ligier JS11 Cosworth		   1'08"7   1'06"8   1'06"9

Riccardo Patrese	 Arrows Cosworth				1'09"45  1'09"2   1'08"9

Alan	 Jones	   Williams FW06 "new" Cosworth   1'09"72  1'09"3	  -

Jan	  Lammers	 Shadow Cosworth				1'11"58  1'09"76	 -

Clay	 Regazzoni   Williams FW06 "1978" Cosworth  1'09"94  1'09"9   1'10"9

Eddie	Cheever	 Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 1'10"13

Elio	 De Angelis  Shadow Cosworth				1'10"93  1'10"4	  -

Danny	Ongais	  Shadow Cosworth				   -	 1'13"6   1'10"5

Patrick  Neve		Kaushen WK 01				  1'14"1   1'11"3	  -

Giacomo  Agostini	Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 1'11"9

Lella	Lombardi	Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 1'14"

Frank	Williams	Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 no time

Patrick  Head		Williams FW06 Cosworth			-		-	 no time

It's interesting to see Eddie Cheever on a Williams: he was promised a test during Italy GP. Giacomo Agostini and Lella Lombardi drove official car, the same used by Regazzoni, in order to accustom to this car that they would have used in 1979 in Aurora. The same car was tested by two other drivers... they are both quite famous, even if not as drivers!
Williams had a FW06 with some changes for 1979 season, and a standard one. I think that only Jones and maybe Regazzoni drove the modified one. Both Depailler and Laffite drove Ligier JS9 Matra and JS11 Cosworth, but best times were scored by the new one.

More details and photos about Kaushen can be found on Kauhsen & Merzario (merged) thread.

Ciao,
Guido

(posted also on Ultimate test driver thread!)

How come Frank Williams and Patrick Head were on the time sheets?

P.S sorry for posting late.

[irvine99]

Pirelli tyre test - November 1985 - Le Castellet/France

Times:

Patrese / Brabham-BMW / 58,43
Fabi / Toleman-Hart / 59,30
De Angelis / Brabham-BMW / 59,98
Streiff / Ligier-Renault / 1:00,75
Laffite / Ligier-Renault / 1:01,00
Alliot / Ligier-Renault / 1:03,40
Sala / Toleman-Hart / 1:04,90
Tarquini / Toleman-Hart / 1:05,40
Nannini / Toleman-Hart / 1:05,60
Uncini / Brabham-BMW / 1:08,41
Lucchinelli / Brabham-BMW / 1:08,89
Sheene / Brabham-BMW / 1:14,41

Facts:

- Pirelli brought 700 tyres to Le Castellet
- First run for Patrese and de Angelis with the BT54 of 1985
- de Angelis: "What an engine!"
- Nannini without super license
- Ligier: one car with hydraulic suspension, Streiff tested a new exhaust and rear wing

Edited by irvine99, 10 April 2024 - 17:25.

[irvine99]

Zakspeed test February/March 1987 (three days):

 

- tests with / without pop-off valve, check fuel consumption

- Christian Danner, long circuit (5,8 km) - best lap 1:41,7, short circuit (3,3 km) - best lap 1:04,0

- top speed Mistral straight before Signes: 338 km/h, engine boost 3,8 bar

- three engine failures

 

- third day drove Martin Brundle, he did 260 km (long circuit) - best lap 1:37,6

- top speed before Signes 321 km/h

- engine boost 3,6 bar

- one engine failure

[Teapot]

Uncini / Brabham-BMW / 1:08,41
Lucchinelli / Brabham-BMW / 1:08,89
Sheene / Brabham-BMW / 1:14,41

 

Unicini, Lucchinelli and Sheene were all top flight motorcycle racers: was there some kind of event held during the test session by Brabham or BMW, maybe to promote the latter's motorbikes?
 

Edited by Teapot, 12 April 2024 - 06:41.

[irvine99]

Barry Sheene was at the Australian Grand Prix. There he met Ecclestone and Blash. Nelson said he should test the Brabham. One thing led to another and then it was fixed. Blash took a third car for testing and ordered additional tires from Pirelli. Pirelli wanted to know who the third car was for. When Blash said for Sheene, Pirelli asked to invite Uncini and Lucchinelli.

[rl1856]

Quote

Originally posted by gdecarli
F.1 TEST AT LE CASTELLET/PAUL RICARD, 3300 m circuit - DECEMBER 5-7, 1978
(From Autosprint 50/1978 pages 38-39)

Driver             Car                             Tue 5    Wed 6    Thu 7

------------------- ----------------------------- ------- ------- -------

Patrick Depailler Ligier JS11 Cosworth         1'07"78 1'07"4 1'06"72

Jacques Laffite     Ligier JS11 Cosworth         1'08"7 1'06"8 1'06"9

Riccardo Patrese     Arrows Cosworth                1'09"45 1'09"2 1'08"9

Alan     Jones     Williams FW06 "new" Cosworth 1'09"72 1'09"3     -

Jan     Lammers     Shadow Cosworth                1'11"58 1'09"76     -

Clay     Regazzoni Williams FW06 "1978" Cosworth 1'09"94 1'09"9 1'10"9

Eddie    Cheever     Williams FW06 Cosworth            -        -     1'10"13

Elio     De Angelis Shadow Cosworth                1'10"93 1'10"4     -

Danny    Ongais     Shadow Cosworth                 -     1'13"6 1'10"5

Patrick Neve        Kaushen WK 01                 1'14"1 1'11"3     -

Giacomo Agostini    Williams FW06 Cosworth            -        -     1'11"9

Lella    Lombardi    Williams FW06 Cosworth            -        -     1'14"

Frank    Williams    Williams FW06 Cosworth            -        -     no time

Patrick Head        Williams FW06 Cosworth            -        -     no timeIt's interesting to see Eddie Cheever on a Williams: he was promised a test during Italy GP. Giacomo Agostini and Lella Lombardi drove official car, the same used by Regazzoni, in order to accustom to this car that they would have used in 1979 in Aurora. The same car was tested by two other drivers... they are both quite famous, even if not as drivers! 
Williams had a FW06 with some changes for 1979 season, and a standard one. I think that only Jones and maybe Regazzoni drove the modified one. Both Depailler and Laffite drove Ligier JS9 Matra and JS11 Cosworth, but best times were scored by the new one.

More details and photos about Kaushen can be found on Kauhsen & Merzario (merged) thread.

Ciao,
Guido

 

Interesting to see Danny Ongais listed in the test results.  He had a...wild...reputation in the US, and his nickname was Danny "On-The-Gas".  He would drive anything as fast as he could until either the car broke or he had an accident.  He had talent, and many wanted him to at least settle down a bit to harness his talent.     He was a tenth off of De Angelis's time, in presumably a similar spec car.   De Angelis was a top level driver, and nice to see Ongais coming close to matching him at least for a few laps in a test situation.   Was Ongais under consideration for a F1 seat at Shadow ?

[Mallory Dan]

Didn't Ongais have a couple of races in late 78 with an Interscope Shadow? 

[Tim Murray]

Ongais raced in the two North American GPs at the end of 1977 in the Interscope Penske PC4 and the two South American GPs at the start of 1978 in a works Ensign. He then failed to qualify the Interscope Shadow DN9 at two later GPs in 1978.

De Angelis was not really a top-level driver at the end of 1978. He had yet to make his F1 race debut and hadn’t done that much F1 testing. Ongais had more experience in the Shadow at that stage.

[Michael Ferner]

At the time, Ongais was said to have an F1 contract with Shadow, but with his USAC schedule having priority. Thus, the team was looking for a driver to do the races Danny couldn't do on conflicting dates, and I think it was de Angelis who was originally signed as a 'stand-in', after his negotiations with Tyrrell came to nought. Didn't turn out that way, but I never really learned the reasons behind it. I presume it was Ted Field pulling the plug, on realizing the dire straits Shadow was in at the time.

[irvine99]

May 21st 1985 - three days test

 

1. Senna 1:33,48

2. Alboreto 1:34,05

3. Piquet 1:34,40

4. Mansell 1:34,59

5. Rosberg 1:35,48

6. Prost 1:36,16

7. De Cesaris 1:36,28

8. Boutsen 1:36,40

9. Laffite 1:36,44

10. Tambay 1:37,47

11. Johansson 1:38,17

12. Fabi 1:38,24

13. Lauda 1:38,46

14. De Angelis 1:38,96

15. Warwick 1:39,51

16. Berger 1:40,36

17. Hesnault 1:41,80

 

- top speed Mistral straight: Prost, Alboreto and Piquet - each 335 km/h

- heavy accident by Hesnault at 250 km/h at Verriere

- first laps for Senna at Ricard

Edited by irvine99, 16 April 2024 - 16:31.

[airbox]

That was Hesnault's last appearance in the Brabham wasn't it?

[LittleChris]

 

- heavy accident by Hesnault at 250 km/h at Verriere

 

 

Seems to be quite common to call the first bend on the full circuit  La Verrière but isn't it La Verrerie ? 

[philippe7]

Despite the numerous mistakes found on the internet,  It certainly is La Verrerie. There are two versions as to the origin of the name :

 

1/ Named as such by Mr Paul Ricard in relation to a glassware manufacture he had set up on his private island of Bendor ( island by which another S curve on the circuit was named )

 

2/ Named in relation to a glass factory situated nearby, where the big hotel is nowadays

 

A verrerie is a glass factory. A verrière is something like a skylight , a glass roof .....

Edited by philippe7, 18 April 2024 - 08:17.

[irvine99]

15. - 19.12.1986

 

Gerhard Berger, Ferrari - 1987 spec engine 1:01,51

Michele Alboreto, Ferrari - 1986 spec engine 1:02,32

Michele Alboreto, Ferrari - 1987 spec engine 1:02,60

Gerhard Berger, Ferrari - 1986 spec engine 1:03,43

Riccardo Patrese, Brabham - 1987 spec engine 1:03,61

Jonathan Palmer, Zakspeed - 1987 spec engine 1:04,32

Riccardo Patrese, Brabham - 1986 spec engine 1:04,93

Christian Danner, Zakspeed - 1986 spec engine 1:06,38

Piercarlo Ghinzani, Zakspeed - 1986 spec engine 1:12.03

Kris Nissen, Zakspeed - 1986 spec engine 1:15,07

Volker Weidler, Zakspeed - 1986 spec engine 1:16,69