via Reuters
Formula One F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 18, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during practice REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 18, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during practice REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
The circuit Paul Ricard replaced Mangy Cours as the host of the French GP in 2008. Since then a lot of questions have been raised about the circuit as fans have a divided opinion about the new venue. However, one persistent question on the fan’s mind is the significance of the red-blue strips along the track.
📍 Circuit Paul Ricard 🇫🇷#HaasF1 #FrenchGP pic.twitter.com/h1oG0BMAjs
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) July 21, 2022
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There is a very good reason behind their presence and they are not just for show! The colorful strips are actually meant to help slow down cars that go off track. The Blue strips are more abrasive while a trip through the Red ones might mean a new set of tires for the driver.
The strips were seen as an alternative to regular gravel traps, although other tracks have continued with the conventional asphalt run offs and gravel traps. The combination of the red and blue strips also outline alternative track layouts, and there are a mind boggling 167 of them!
The fans are not a huge fan of this pioneering move to use abrasive lines. Also the multiple track layouts are a point of confusion for people.
Fans react to the host of the French GP, Circuit Paul Ricard
The Circuit Paul Ricard has not received much love by the fans since it’s initiation in 2008. The track with it’s multiple layouts and red and blue strips is an eyesore for most. It is also confusing with the strips and the asphalt making all the different layouts pop. Fans have wasted no time in taking the mickey out of the circuit.
Paul Ricard is a huge mess of layouts and looks like some secret polygon in the middle of nowhere, and I for one think that's actually really cool. #F1
— Valentin Khorounzhiy (@vkhorounzhiy) June 22, 2018
@SkySportsF1 started watching practise & I have to say the run off areas make viewing somewhat confusing, makes my eyes hurt
— Harvey D Price (@HarveyDPrice) June 22, 2018
All those lines on the MASSIVE amount of run off are a bit painful on the eyes and don’t work on TV. What’s happening on the blacktop seems to be a sideshow.. #F1 pic.twitter.com/QNAqIun5Wu
— Adam (@wizardweb) June 22, 2018
Some fans even requested FIA to cancel the Grand Prix all together.
@fia Please cancel this weeks F1 grand prix. Those red and white lines + ridiculous amount of run-off make it totally unwatchable.
— 🇳🇱 rDaneel Olivaw ⚙📌 (@rDaneelOlivaw) June 22, 2018
That chicane is an absolute eyesore, horrible trying to pick out the track amongst the layout outs and run-off
— Oli Peacock (@OliPeacock23) June 22, 2018
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160+ track configurations. Plus. Do you want to play stop the car? pic.twitter.com/OOTlSt3qec
— Phil. (@Re1axinmood) June 22, 2018
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The circuit’s contract is set to expire in 2022; however talks of a renewal are already underway. There is a very high chance of Paul Ricard to remain the host of the French GP in the future.
In the meantime the 2022 French GP is shaping up to be a cracking affair with a potential three way battle between Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari for top honors.
