Questions and answers about the French Grand Prix

What's up? After a ten-year break, Formula 1 is celebrating its comeback in France. The eighth race of the season on Sunday (start time: 16.10:1990 p.m.) takes place at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet in the south of France. The French Grand Prix last took place there in 1. Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel starts as the overall leader, but his lead over world champion Lewis Hamilton is only one point. The race is also the start of the "triple header", which presents drivers and teams with a mammoth task: races will be held on three consecutive weekends, with France followed by Spielberg/Austria (July 8st) and Silverstone (July 15th). The reason is the final of the World Cup on July XNUMXth, a clash of dates should be prevented. Who is favorite? That is hard to say. The course in the Var department is new territory for the teams; unlike usual, data and experience from previous years are not available. The top teams Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are also on equal footing this year, and reliable predictions are difficult to make. The tires could become a factor; as in Spain, Pirelli supplies a special tire with a thinner tread. At that time, Lewis Hamilton dominated the Mercedes in Barcelona. What can be said about the route? The Circuit Paul Ricard is being raced for the 15th time; the 5,842 km long and newly asphalted layout is well-balanced. What is striking is the Mistral straight, in the middle of which a chicane has now been installed. It remains to be seen whether this measure has a negative effect on overtaking maneuvers. The track also offers some hard braking zones, as well as slow and technical sectors, which should suit the Red Bulls. At the end of the Mistral straight is the Signes "courage curve", one of the fastest in this year's Formula 1 calendar.

The advantages and disadvantages for the three top teams should roughly balance each other out. The record winner in Le Castellet is Alain Prost with four successes. Even though the track is making its Formula 1 comeback after 28 years, it is known to various drivers through test drives or races in smaller formula series. What are the French doing? The French fans had to wait ten years for a home race, but the Grande Nation cannot seriously hope for a home win. France will have the largest driver contingent in 2018 with three drivers. Pierre Gasly (22/Toro Rosso), Esteban Ocon (21/Force India) and Romain Grosjean (32/Haas) are not in winning cars. The Renault works team with Niko Hülkenberg will probably only be in the midfield again.

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Questions and answers about the French Grand Prix

The French GP is scheduled for Formula 1 on Sunday. Here you will find the answers to the most important questions.

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