Formula One news

French Grand Prix snapshot

Set amid rural surroundings in France's Burgundy region, the 4.4km Circuit de Nevers is characterised by a collection of slow hairpins, medium speed corners and high speed chicanes. 

The French track requires a high downforce set-up, one which provides stability through the twisty sections, but one which equally does not compromise straight line speed. 

Magny-Cours is renowned for its smooth surface which, when combined with the area's variable temperatures, provides one of the greatest challenges for the teams over the weekend. The unpredictable weather in the region, which can generate track temperatures in excess of 50°C, places high thermal loadings on the tyres, while the slower hairpins also generate longitudinal loadings, all of which can destabilise the balance of the car. 

With several acute braking events (the drivers will experience 4g when braking from 300km/h down to 60km/h into the Adelaide hairpin), durable brakes are also a pre-requisite. Aerodynamic efficiency and car driveability are therefore key for a successful race this weekend.

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