F1 returns to France at Paul Ricard
For two days, Formula 1 took over the Paul Ricard circuit for private tests organized by Pirelli. The Italian tire manufacturer called upon the Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull teams to test its future 2017 tires in wet track conditions.
Today and tomorrow, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen, Daniel Ricciardo, Daniil Kvyat, and Stoffel Vandoorne will make the sound of their turbo V6 engines resonate on the track of the Paul Ricard circuit, in the south of France.
It’s at the initiative of Pirelli that three teams, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull, are gathered on French soil during these two days to conduct wet track tests in order to gather as much information as possible on the range of products the Italian manufacturer will offer in 2017.
Of course, to ensure that the three teams present on the track these two days are not advantaged, 2015 season single-seaters will be made available to the drivers.
The choice of the Paul Ricard circuit to host these tests seemed inevitable as the French track is a model in its category. Indeed, even though it has not hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1990, the track has been entirely renovated to become a site dedicated to testing. The High Tech Test Track, which is the setting for many Endurance races or promotional formulas throughout the year, has always welcomed the small world of Formula 1. But with the reduction of testing during the year, the premier discipline of motorsport has become rarer. Its appearance during these two days is thus a small event.
For this first day, Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren), Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) will be on track. The latter two will be replaced tomorrow by their respective teammates, Sebastian Vettel and Daniil Kvyat.
From our special correspondent in Castellet
