“Paul Ricard is definitely a circuit that’s improving with age. When it was first rebuilt into the amazing facility it is now the surface was very smooth – almost too perfect. Now it’s settled, and the ground has moved a bit, there are more bumps. It’s got quite a few tricky corners and it’s the sort of track where you go round thinking, ‘that wasn’t quite right – I could do that better’. The other thing about Ricard is the huge concrete run-offs – you have to be disciplined because a false sense of security can creep in. It can still bite, despite its focus on safety. I’m really looking forward to racing the AMR-One there, having been in the GT2-class V8 Vantage last year when the track joined the Le Mans Series calendar. The AMR-One is so different to what we raced last year, so it’s important we get as much mileage under our belts as possible.
Pit straight
Howling over the line to start another lap, you have to be careful of the pitlane exit – it feeds in on the right-hand side, which is where you need to place your car for Verriere, the quick, left-right first corner. But it’s fine if you concentrate!
Verriere
It’s a nice combination of corners with a lot of grip on turn-in. The brow in the middle of the sequence can make the car feel a bit ‘loose’ and there’s a big bump on the exit, so there’s plenty going on.
Chicane
The chicane is approached at high-speed and it’s downhill too, so you brake really late, scrub off the speed but still go through the first, right-hand part quickly. It’s satisfying to hit the sweet spot there. The left-hand part is really a compromise corner between the two right-handers. You hook the smooth kerb and fire up to the third part of the chicane.
Saint-Beaurne
Saint-Beaurne is a funny corner – there are plenty of lines, which means adapting to your tyre and fuel-load situation. Also, if you’re behind slower traffic you have to decide whether to pounce or be patient. Neither works every time!
L’Ecole
I like this corner. It should be flat in AMR-One but you have to be spot-on and careful of the crown in the road and the kerbs, especially if it’s wet. There have been lots of accidents in the wet here and you don’t want it to compromise your run down Mistral.
Mistral Straight
You’re flat-out down the long straight and wind direction can effect where you place the car and often you need to think about getting a tow from another car or having to defend.
Signes
The famous Signes! A proper corner with a blind apex. It will be interesting to see if it’s flat in AMR-One or just needs a quick lift to settle the nose. You have to stay away from the kerbs on the exit, too, as they can fire you off!
Beausset
Beausset is a long, double-apex right-hander that’s downhill on entry. You have to brake and turn across the road to find the second clipping point. Again, tyre wear and fuel loads effect the line you take.
Bendor
My least favourite corner on the lap – but there’ll always be one. It’s difficult to see as there are no reference points for braking and you’re surrounded by brightly-striped concrete.
It might be easier in an open-top car this year, though…
Village
The long right-hander just requires full acceleration oin the approach to Tour, but there’s a bump in the middle to keep you awake.
Tour
A good corner with bumps that typifies Ricard: you either get it right or it’s scrappy. You have to keep the car over to the left for the final right-hander at Virage du Pont.
Virage du Pont
The last corner is taken in first-gear right and you have to get turned in neatly and get the car straight quickly to be able to build speed onto the pit straight. If the tyres are worn you have to be wary of the first-gear wheelspin that scrubs off momentum.
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