Paul Ricard financed the circuit that opened in 1970 with the long Mistral Straight and extensive testing facilities. After Elio de Angelis's fatal 1986 test crash Formula 1 used a shorter layout; the venue was modernised as a test track before returning in 2018.
The 1982 French Grand Prix ended with four French drivers in the first four places, René Arnoux winning despite Renault's preference for Alain Prost. Nigel Mansell's high-speed tyre failure in 1985 also drove the move to the shorter course.
Across 5.842 km, its 15 corners create a distinct rhythm between braking, precision and acceleration. As a permanent racing circuit, it asks drivers and teams to adapt setup, tyre management and race strategy to the venue's particular constraints, while its clockwise direction shapes the sequence of its most demanding sectors.
