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Preview: The 2019 French Grand Prix

Published on 19 Jun 2019 15:49
1
By: Fergal Walsh

The Paul Ricard Circuit is the venue for the eighth race of the 2019 season, as it hosts the French Grand Prix. Last year, it hosted the first race in France in ten years. We have also now arrived at the first back-to-back race weekend.

The circuit

The circuit is located near the southern French town of Le Castellet and was commissioned by Paul Ricard. The circuit has been on the calendar 15 times before. In its early days, it was too long and unsafe. Due to the death of Elio de Angelis, the circuit was adapted to the current layout.

The large striped run-off areas are safe, but seemingly not popular with the fans. The combination of regular black asphalt with the blue (grippy) and red (extra grippy) asphalt ensures that cars are slowed down faster.

Length of the circuit	5,842 meters
Number of racing laps	53
Total racing distance	309,626 kilometres
Lap record	1:34.225 (Valtteri Bottas, 2018)

Just like last season, the circuit has two DRS zones. The drivers can open the flap of their rear wing between turns 7 and 8 and 15 and 1.

Driving direction	Clockwise
Number of turns	15 (6 to the left, 9 to the right)
Distance from the start to the first corner	385.72 meters
Braking points of more than 2G	6, of which 2 are heavy
Percentage of full gas	58-70 per cent
Highest lateral G-force	4.1G through Turn 11
Length of the pits below limiter	327.5 meters
Duration of the drive through the pits	19.7 seconds
Fuel consumption	High
Side of pole position on the start line	Left
Tyre compounds	C2, C3, C4
DRS zones	Turn 7-8, 15-1
The opportunity of a safety car	Average
Chance of rain	Average

Tyre selections

Driver	C2	C3	C4
Lewis Hamilton	1	3	9
Valtteri Bottas	1	3	9
Sebastian Vettel	1	3	9
Charles Leclerc	1	3	9
Max Verstappen	1	4	8
Pierre Gasly	1	3	9
Daniel Ricciardo	2	1	10
Nico Hulkenberg	1	2	10
Kevin Magnussen	1	2	10
Romain Grosjean	2	1	10
Carlos Sainz	1	3	9
Lando Norris	2	2	9
Sergio Perez	2	3	8
Lance Stroll	2	3	8
Kimi Raikkonen	1	2	10
Antonio Giovinazzi	1	2	10
Daniil Kvyat	2	1	10
Alexander Albon	1	2	10
George Russell	1	3	9
Robert Kubica	2	2	9

The contenders

After seven races in 2019, Mercedes has picked up every win on offer. In Canada, the team needed a time penalty for Ferrari to take victory, but it is expected that the Silver Arrows will have the stronger car in France.

Last year in France

Lewis Hamilton was the outright strongest driver last year when Formula 1 returned to Paul Ricard. He won his third race of the season by staying ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen. Sebastian Vettel's title aspirations took a hit when he clashed with Valtteri Bottas, consequently receiving a time penalty on his way to a P5 finish.

Best time FP1	1:32.231 (Hamilton)
Best time FP2	1:32.539 (Hamilton)
Best time FP3	1:33.666 (Bottas)
Best time Q1	1:31.271 (Hamilton)
Best time Q2	1:30.645 (Hamilton)
Best time Q3	1:30.029 (Hamilton)
Fastest racing lap	1:34.225 (Bottas)
Total race time	1 hour 30 minutes and 11 seconds
Average speed	223.6 kilometres per hour
Highest top speed	349.7 kilometres per hour
Podium	Hamilton - Verstappen - Raikkonen
Winning strategy	1 stops, on lap 33
Total number of pit stops	23
Number of retirements	5

Weather

The weather in Le Castellet is looking good for the coming weekend. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there is sun in the weather reports and the temperatures are nice and warm too: around 30 degrees Celsius.

LE CASTELLET WEATHER

Trivia

Michael Schumacher has more French Grand Prix victories than any other driver: he won the event eight times. He recorded all his victories at Magny-Cours.

Ferrari has the most French Grand Prix wins with 17. At the Paul Ricard track, Williams and McLaren share the record for the most wins, with three each.

Paul Ricard offers 167 circuit variations, from 0.8 km to 5.5 km in length.

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