FRANCE. Le Castellet: The Circuit at Paul Ricard will come live this weekend as the French Grand Prix returns after a gap of one year. Incidentally, this track has the largest number of layouts among all circuits available for F1 racing. The first Formula 1 Grand Prix happened in the year 1971 in The Paul Ricard Circuit. The first driver to get his name written in the guest book was the Scottish driver Jackie Stewart.
Circuit Paul Ricard
In 1971, the first Formula 1 Grand Prix happened at Paul Ricard Circuit followed by several championships. Later in 1999, the circuit and its adjoining aerodrome were taken over by one Bernie Ecclestone.
Barry converted the circuit into a high tech track dedicated only to testing, so the circuit was closed for public. In 2007, FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety designated the circuit as first center of excellence. Soon in 2009, after the construction of a grandstand, the Circuit Paul Ricard reopened its doors to the public. The French Grand Prix was back on the Paul Ricard Circuit in the year 2018 as France was back on the international motor sport scene. British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton won the 2018 and 2019 Grand Prix.
The story of Pirelli tyres
Meanwhile Pirelli have announced that they will bring the middle compounds in the Pirelli range – C2 (hard), C3 (medium) and C4 (soft) to Le Castellet’s colorful circuit. Pirelli’s Head of F1 and Car Racing Mario Isola explained that, “We’re back to the combination of tyres used for the first two races of this year, right in the middle of the range. This is the most versatile combination, well suited to a wide variety of different demands, and this is also what makes it a good match for the Paul Ricard circuit, which contains an interesting mix of corners”.
As the formula one racing begins after a gap of couple of years, the track in the meantime underwent significant renovation to make it interesting and competitive. The track was widened at the entry and the exit of a few corners and at many more places. The objective of renovation of the layout was to facilitate smoothness and overtaking.
It will be interesting to watch in the coming three days about how the drivers take advantage of a world class circuit and showcase their power and passion.
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