2019 French GP: facts and stats about the Paul Ricard Circuit layout. Facts and stats about the Circuit Paul Ricard layout.

Facts and Figures about the Circuit Paul Ricard

– the circuit was opened on 19 April 1970 with finance form pastis magnate Paul Ricard.
– tn 1999 the circuit was sold to Excelis, a company owned by Bernie Ecclestone, and the track was rebuilt into an advanced test track, known at the Paul Ricard HTTT (High Tech Test Track).
– the current circuit is 5.791km.
– the circuit is known for its distinctive coloured runoff areas. The surface of the ‘blue zone’ is a mixture of asphalt and tungsten and the ‘red zone’ has a more abrasive surface to maximise tyre grip and minimise braking distances. This approach meant the use of gravel traps was not needed.
– its innovative facilities made it one of the safest motor racing circuits in the world at the time of its opening, the circuit comprising three layout permutations, a – large industrial park and an airstrip. Indeed, the combination of modern facilities, mild winter weather and airstrip made it popular amongst racing teams for car testing during the annual winter off-season.
– located at Le Castellet in southern France it was chiefly notable for the mile-long Mistral Straight, the longest flat-out stretch in modern motor racing, and that was followed by the fast and demanding Signes corner before it became a bit Micky Mouse.

– Paul Ricard hosted the French Grand Prix on 14 occasions between 1971 and 1990. The long circuit was used from 1971-1985, with the club circuit used from 1986-1990. In December 2016, it was confirmed that the French Grand Prix would return in 2018 at the Circuit Paul Ricard and it currently holds a contract to host the French Grand Prix until at least 2022.
– on seven occasions (1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1989, 2018) the winner at Paul Ricard went on to win the World Championship in the same year. Ronnie Peterson (1973 and 1974) and Rene Arnoux (1982) are the only Ricard winners who never won the championship.
– the track has also hosted some races, including the 2006 Paul Ricard 500km, a round of the FIA GT Championship. Other GT championships have run races here, most notably the Ferrari Challenge and races organized by Porsche clubs of France and Italy.
– the track offers 167 possible configurations from 826 to 5,861 metres, with elevation ranging from 408 to 441 metres above sea level.
– Alain Prost is the most successful driver at Ricard. He took four of his six French Grand Prix victories at this circuit. His wins were split between three different manufacturers, victorious for Renault in 1983, McLaren in 1988 and 1989, and finally with Ferrari.