F3 - 2016 Race of Paul Ricard - Preview
Lap distance: 3.841 km
Race distance: 33 minutes plus one lap
Location: 45 km east of Marseille
Airports: Le Castellet [CTT] (1 km), Toulon Hyères [TLN] (55 km), Marseille Provence [MRS] (66 km), Airport Nice Côte d’Azur [NCE] (176 km), Montpellier-Méditerranée [MPL] (205 km)
This is the first time, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship will race at Paul Ricard, therefore no records are available.
Lap records: N/A
Pole positions: N/A
Winners: N/A
INTERESTING FACTS
The Paul Ricard circuit is located in Le Castellet, about 45 km outside of Marseille in the Provence area of Southern France. The track was opened in 1970 and hosted its first Formula 1 race in 1971. The original circuit was dominated by the 1.8 km long Mistral Straight, which was modified in 1986 to make the venue safer. Since the last French F1 Grand Prix was held in 1990, the track has been rebuilt into an advanced test track, but still hosts race events.
The benefits of Paul Ricard as a test track are widely known among racing teams and therefore it is also frequently used by Formula 1 teams. Only at the beginning of this year Formula 1’s two-day wet weather tyre test was held at the venue. Paul Ricard’s sprinkler system means the track can be made wet regardless of the prevailing weather.
The location offers numerous possible track configurations. For the first round of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship the set-up is the so called GP short circuit of 3.841 km. The FIA Formula 3 drivers will already have a chance to get adjusted to the track with a one-day pre-season test scheduled for Thursday just before the race weekend.
FIA F3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP TIMETABLE
Friday, 1. April
09:00 - 09:40 Free Practice 1
09:45 - 10:25 Free Practice 2
13:10 - 13:30 Qualifying 1
16:30 - 16:50 Qualifying 2
Saturday, 2. April
10:45 - 11:20 Race 1
11:25 (est) Race 1 podium ceremony
11:40 (est) Race 1 press conference
16:45 - 17:20 Race 2
17:25 (est) Race 2 podium ceremony
17:40 (est) Race 2 press conference
Sunday, 3. April
10:30 - 11:05 Race 3
11:10 (est) Race 3 podium ceremony
11:25 (est) Race 3 press conference
OFFICIALS APPOINTED BY THE ASN
Stewards of the meeting: Hélène BRETAR
Clerk of the Course: Pascal MANGIAPAN
Secretary of the meeting: Patricia DESMOTS
Chief National Scrutineer: Michel LEBORGNE
Chief National Medical Officer: Jean François AMOROS
FIA F3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS
The current Championship classification (teams, drivers and rookies) can be found here.
FIA F3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP SESSION AND EVENT RESULTS
Shortly after the end of the sessions, results of the event can be found on here.