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LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 leads Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on June 23, 2019 in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
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LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 leads Valtteri Bottas driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on June 23, 2019 in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
This weekend, the Formula One paddock heads to Circuit Paul Ricard for the French Grand Prix. Once the three practice sessions conclude, it will be time for qualifying. The first two practice sessions kick off on Friday, while the remaining practice session acts as a precursor for qualifying.
All cars will take to the track at 3:00 PM local time, which is 6:30 PM IST. As always, qualifying is divided into three sessions, with five cars being eliminated in the first two sessions. Finally, Q3 closes out the show with a Top 10 shootout for pole position and the remaining 10 positions.
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Without a doubt, the French Grand Prix will be interesting to watch with the current crop of drivers. Although the last two visits to the Paul Ricard circuit have been less than spectacular, things could be different this year. Lewis Hamilton has won twice at the track and will be hoping to get his season back on schedule with another win this time around.
What to expect from the 2021 French Grand Prix?
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Last time out, Red Bull had the measure of Mercedes, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez triumphing. The Dutch driver clinched a win in Monaco meanwhile Perez capitalized on a Hamilton mistake to win in Azerbaijan, despite heartbreak for Verstappen.
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LE CASTELLET, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 leads Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C38 Ferrari on track during the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on June 23, 2019 in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
Speaking of Verstappen, he finished 2nd in 2018 and 4th in 2019. With a stronger Red Bull car under him, the Dutchman can put up a good fight with Lewis Hamilton. Both championship contenders are eager to bounce back from their respective disappointing races.
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Meanwhile, Sergio Perez will be riding on a high after his first Red Bull win. On the other end of the scale, Valtteri Bottas has a lot of pressure mounting on him for his Mercedes seat. The Finn desperately needs a good result to prove that he deserves to stay with the reigning champions.
READ MORE: French Grand Prix 2021 Schedule: Where to Watch and Timings for This F1 Race at Paul Ricard?
