planetf1.com

I was watching the You-tube clips of the 1985 French GP at Paul Ricard, the last race there with the magnificent Mistral Straight in its full layout. It is a pity that they ruined the straight the following year on safety grounds. But with the safety features and relaibility of modern F1 cars, re-introduction of the circuit with the straight fully open would be great. Of course, the runoff areas and seating arrangements will have to be upgraded but IMO it would be a worthwhile expense.

If they Mistral Straight is straightened out again, there should be no DRS zones on it. Otherwise, there will be too much overtaking and re-overtaking attempts on the 1.2 mile- long straight. Imagine the cars rushing in at full speed before sweeping into Signes..

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Vettel / Raikkonen / Button

I wish they would keep the straight uninterrupted. I think they should now because of the large runoffs they have over there.

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Supporter of:

Fernando Alonso
Pastor Maldonado
Sergio Perez
Michael Schumacher
Lewis Hamilton

I think the problem in the past was that the cars' reliabilty suffered because of running at full throttle over that distance and so breakdowns were common. But the modern cars and engines are far more robust and forgiving and i don't think the long straight will be a problem.

But yes, the major attarction of Paul Ricard was the Mistral Straight in its full glory.

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Vettel / Raikkonen / Button

I've never looked at the track layout of Paul Richard before, thought I'd google it quickly and 2 things struck me:

firstly, that is a really long straight uninterrupted. But I like having a mid speed corner at the end of fast straights rather than the typical Tylke tight corner's we have at most new tracks.

secondly, the run off areas are a massive eyesore when viewed any direction other than directly down.

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There is no theory of evolution, just a list of animals that Chuck Norris allows to live.

Paul Ricard is a clockwise circuit and so if they opened up the full Mistral Straight, the Signes curve would be at the end of it. I think Signes used to be a tighter corner in the past but now is a more of a curve that feeds into the short straight before Beausset. That bit of modification I would keep.

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Vettel / Raikkonen / Button

This was the best recent aireal photo I found. You are right about the corner after Mistral Straight being modified, They have left both sections of track there for choice of layout.

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There is no theory of evolution, just a list of animals that Chuck Norris allows to live.