2019 French GP: pit entry relocated to Turn 14, track notes and DRS zones. The circuit is much more about lateral forces than traction and braking.

The pit lane entrance has been relocated to Turn 14 at Paul Ricard following complaints over safety during last year’s French Grand Prix. The entrance had previously been located after the final corner (Turn 15) with a sharp right then left hand turn, which forced the FIA to lower the speed limit to 60km/h, instead of 80km/h.

The organisers confirmed earlier this year that the entry would be revised for this year’s race, with it now being positioned on the outside of the penultimate corner (Turn 14) – with the speed limit line located before the first right-hand turn (see above photo). The pit exit has also been widened and extended, now exiting further down the start/finish straight. A number of drivers concerned at the pit entrance last year, and over the course of the weekend the speed limit was reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h.

The track has also been resurfaced in sections all around the track, principally at Turn 1, from Turn 3 to Turn 7, in sections from just after Turn 8 to just after Turn 11, in Turn 12 and from Turn 14 through to Turn 15. The new asphalt is of similar specification to the existing asphalt, which should provide a consistent surface over the course of the entire lap.

Once again there are two DRS zones. The first has a detection point 75m before Turn 7 and an activation point 170m after Turn 7, while the second has a detection point at Turn 14 and activation 115m after Turn 15.

Pirelli is bringing the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, the same nomination as Australia, China, and Azerbaijan. This weekend, which is followed by Austria next weekend, marks the first of five back-to-back race pairings this season. The asphalt here is quite smooth, meaning that tyre degradation is generally low, though the expected warm weather at this time of year in the south of France could lead to some thermal degradation.

The circuit is much more about lateral forces than traction and braking, which should make it easier to find the right balance between front and rear tyre temperatures – even though the long 1.8-kilometre Mistral straight (intersected by a chicane) can cool down the front tyres, and there are some heavy braking zones. Turn 13 has the second-highest continuous energy demands of the year, after Turn 1 in China. A one-stopper was the winning strategy last year, used by most competitors, though this was influenced by an early safety car, which came out after the opening lap for five laps.

At 5.8 kilometres in total, this is one of the longest laps of the year, with a number of overtaking opportunities.

Unlike recent races, the top three teams have made virtually identical tyre selections. The only exception is Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has chosen an extra set of mediums compared to his rivals. Generally speaking, the emphasis is on the red soft tyre.