Work began on pastis magnate Paul Ricard’s track in 1969, with French racers Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Henri Pescarolo acting as consultants on the layout. Racing began at the circuit a year later.
Formula 1 hit the Circuit Paul Ricard in 1971, with Jackie Stewart winning the inaugural race in his Tyrrell 003.
The Circuit Paul Ricard’s even distribution of high-, medium- and low-speed corners is a key reason why it’s one of the most used test circuits in the world (the typically good weather is another). F1 drivers love the 290km/h right-hander at Signes and the 5g joyride of the following Beausset bend, while the circuit’s 2018 return to the Formula 1 calendar showed that the French Grand Prix track is a bit of an overtaking gem.
Join us for the latest info, news, updates and live results from the Circuit Paul Ricard, as the first practice session for the 2021 French Grand Prix is about to get underway, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc at the wheel of the SF21 car, ready to start evaluating the tyres and identify the best set-up ahead of the qualifying session on Saturday and the race on Sunday.
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