For the penultimate stage before the summer break, Formula 1 moves to France, to Le Castellet, on the Paul Ricard circuit, one of the most interesting of the entire season for the variety of challenges it offers.
The Provençal track is often used during the year to carry out test sessions: it was in fact refurbished by Bernie Ecclestone for this purpose, introducing different layouts and irrigation systems to simulate wet asphalt. Also very characteristic are the escape routes with abrasive asphalt, a very treacherous terrain for pilots who, even more than gravel or grass, are to be avoided.
The track is almost 6 km long and given its nature as a proving ground it is very varied. Of note is the long straight, that of the Mistral, which was interrupted by a chicane, Courbe de Signes, for safety reasons. It is a bend at the end of the straight, with an alternation of faster and slower sections, especially in the first and last sector. Medium downforce is required.
The MegaRide technicians analyzed with their predictive models the energies generated in a lap on the French circuit: the lateral and longitudinal forces are definitely comparable to each other. The varied nature of the circuit is confirmed by the graph shown below, where there is no balance between the energies generated when cornering and when accelerating / braking.
Megaride graph on tire temperature variations at Paul Ricard
Photo by: MegaRide
It is also interesting to analyze the Courbe de Signes, or curve 10. At one time, it was the favorite location of photographers, who were stationed there in search of the perfect shot, and of professionals who analyzed the way each driver faced it. It seems that the only one who was able to face it on the tablet was Ayrton Senna.
The MegaRide technicians have represented in the graph below the curves of the temperatures reached by the tread of the front tires, highlighting a greater thermal stress on the front left, not so much in the 8-9 sequence but as in the 10th curve, which engages a lot on the side.
Megaride graph: here are the temperature variations recorded on the front tires of the Castellet
Photo by: MegaRide
Pirelli will bring the intermediate range, namely C2, C3 and C4, a combination that lends itself well to the variety of situations proposed by the track. Quite high temperatures are expected in Le Castellet, which will certainly affect the strategies; if the weather conditions are not extreme, however, the range brought by Pirelli could guarantee a single stop.
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