The Paul Ricard circuit has, in two very different eras, claimed the title of the most modern motorsport facility in the world. Constructed by drinks magnate Paul Ricard at Le Castellet in the south of France, the circuit was the first of the modern autodromes – a little sterile for those brought up on classic road racing circuits but with excellent facilities for the fans and teams.
In 2018, the circuit was announced as the host of the resurrected French Grand Prix, meaning F1 was back after a near 30 year absence. In prepraration, the circuit underwent a major two-month refurbishment and track safety update over winter 2017. 10,000 tons of asphalt were used to resurface the track and pit lane, and four corners were modified. The track has been widened at the entry of La Verrerie, the Virage du Camp at the western end of the circuit and the Virage du Pont leading onto the start-finish straight, while a new re-shaped and shortened version of the Virage de Bendor was added for motorcycle use.
Join us later in the afternoon for the latest updates and results from the Circuit Paul Ricard, as the qualifying session for the 2021 French Grand Prix is about to get underway, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc at the wheel of the SF21 ready to challenge McLaren for the best possible place on the grid ahead of tomorrow’s race.
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