Exclusive – The Paul Ricard Circuit is ready, says its director, Stéphane Clair
One month before the French Grand Prix of Formula 1, the general manager of the Paul Ricard circuit, Stéphane Clair, who is entering the final stretch with his team before the most important weekend of the year, shared his thoughts with us.
The wait for French Formula 1 fans to see single-seaters on their soil will come to an end on June 22, when the French Grand Prix starts on the Paul Ricard circuit in Var.
The general manager of the circuit, Stéphane Clair, shared with Motorsinside that he is ready to welcome the grand circus of Formula 1, even though there is still a lot of work to be done: « On paper, everything is ready, but there are many adjustments to be made around the track to optimize the spectator experience: it is a major commitment to provide a quality show and make all the fans want to return in 2019. On the track itself, everything is in working order; it is the advantage of having a modern and evolving permanent circuit: every year, the Paul Ricard circuit hosts more than 25 competitions and 300 days of on-track activity », the Frenchman explains.
As a true motorsport enthusiast, he is naturally eager to reach this very special weekend in the otherwise very busy schedule of the circuit: « It’s an exciting project, not only for the professional challenge it represents but also for the chance it gives us to enter the heart of this world. Being around team managers, drivers, and F1 media is an incredible opportunity. I really can’t wait to see the F1 cars go through the first turn! »
Even though he refrains from making any predictions for the race, Stéphane Clair would still love to hear the Marseillaise on the podium: Impossible in my position to make a prediction, even if we obviously would like very much for the Marseillaise to resound several times on June 24: at the start of the races but especially during the podium ceremony. The return of the Grand Prix to France coincides with a strong blue, white, and red presence: 3 drivers (and a half if we count the neighboring Monegasque Charles Leclerc), 3 team managers, a Formula 1 team, an engine manufacturer… I’m crossing my fingers that they have their share of joy during the GP weekend.
The Paul Ricard circuit will offer a demanding track for the engine with the long Mistral straight (which will be interrupted by a chicane) but also some significant corners. On the track, it will be necessary to consider the high speeds on the straights, but also in the corners with the legendary Signes curve which is taken flat out: the degradation of the front left tire will be one of the keys to the teams’ strategy, predicts the Nice native.
But there is more to a circuit’s life than Formula 1, as Stéphane Clair reminds us: The circuit is bustling with activity all year round! Less than 7 days after the F1 Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Cycling race will start (a cycling and running event June 30-July 1). The next big events: at the beginning of September, we will once again host the must-see historical car event (Dix Mille Tours du Castellet on September 1 and 2) and then the grand celebration of the Bol d’Or (82nd edition from September 14 to 16). The Spartan Race on October 6 for extreme running enthusiasts and self-challenge events. Then the final of the French Circuit Championship (GT4, F4, Porsche Carrera Cup France…) on October 13 and 14. Renault Sport has chosen the Paul Ricard circuit this year to organize its international finale of the Renault Clio Cup (November 3 and 4). Finally, our season will end with the 2nd edition of the spectacular RallyCircuit on December 8 and 9.
