Next European Le Mans Series Race - 4 Hours of Le Castellet
1 - 4 May
Circuit Paul Ricard
Display & Timezone
Display & Timezone
Showing times for Pacific/Auckland
Timezone
Pacific - Auckland
Upcoming in ELMS
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21 - 24 Aug
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11 - 14 Sep
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4 Hours of Portimão
8 - 11 Oct
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Local Weather & Time
Circuit Paul Ricard - Le Castellet, Var, France
Modern permanent circuit on the Plateau de Signes - clockwise - ultra-long Mistral Straight, flat-out Signes and the long right of Beausset with high-grip painted run-offs
When was the track built?
Commissioned by beverage magnate Paul Ricard, the circuit was constructed across 1969-1970 on the Plateau de Signes near Le Castellet. It was one of the first truly modern autodromes, with long run-offs and multiple configurations. After a test-focused era in the 2000s, extensive upgrades brought back regular international racing, including the return of the French Grand Prix from 2018 to 2022.
When was its first race?
The venue’s first race meetings ran in 1970. Formula 1 first visited in 1971, launching a long association with the French Grand Prix across different periods.
What's the circuit like?
- Power and aero: The Mistral Straight rewards top-end performance and efficient drag, while Signes (T10) is a high-speed commitment check that leads immediately into the long, technical Beausset right-hander.
- Multiple layouts: Series can choose the no-chicane Mistral for maximum speed or the Nord/Sud chicanes for extra braking zones and overtakes. The GP layout totals 5.842 km and 15 turns.
- Run-off technology: The blue and red painted abrasion zones slow cars progressively and allow bolder lines, but they punish tyres if abused.
- Wind factor: The Mistral wind can swing braking points for the Verrerie chicane and alter balance through Signes and Beausset.
- Benchmark pace: F1 race-lap record 1:32.740 (2019) with poles typically in the mid 1:30s on the GP layout depending on conditions.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 - race lap: 1:32.740 - Sebastian Vettel, 2019 French GP.
- FIA WEC/ELMS reference: Hypercar/LMP2 race laps typically in the low-to-mid 1:40s on the GP layout, with GTs around the 1:55-2:00 window depending on BoP and track temp.
- GT World Challenge Europe: 1000 km enduro benchmarks put GT3s around the 1:53-1:56 zone in qualifying, a touch slower in race trim.
- FIM Endurance - Bol d'Or: 24-hour motorcycle classic uses the high-speed layout - superbikes draft along Mistral before the flat-out approach to Signes.
Why go?
Sun-baked Provence scenery, easy spectator access and grandstands with wide sightlines. The Mistral-to-Signes sequence produces visible bravery and great photos, while endurance events like the 1000 km and Bol d'Or offer day-to-night drama and open paddocks.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Signes - Beausset: See flat-out cornering into heavy-load rotation - mistakes here snowball quickly.
- Verrerie chicane (T1-2): Starts, restarts and classic out-braking with switchbacks on exit.
- Mistral chicane: If used, it creates a second big stop and prime pass zone mid-lap.
- Final sector: Traction out of the double-rights sets the launch to the line and shows tyre management late in stints.
Not just F1: headline series at Le Castellet
GT World Challenge Europe 1000 km: A blue-riband GT3 enduro with sunset stints and thick traffic on the GP layout.
ELMS and FIA WEC visits: Multi-class racing showcases slipstream battles on Mistral and strategy around the chicanes.
Bol d'Or 24H: One of endurance motorcycling’s crown jewels - night running at >300 km/h on Mistral is unforgettable.
Testing hub: Year-round climate and run-off tech make Paul Ricard a prime proving ground for F1, endurance and GT programs.
1 - 4 May
Circuit Paul Ricard
Circuit Paul Ricard - Le Castellet, Var, France
Modern permanent circuit on the Plateau de Signes - clockwise - ultra-long Mistral Straight, flat-out Signes and the long right of Beausset with high-grip painted run-offs
When was the track built?
Commissioned by beverage magnate Paul Ricard, the circuit was constructed across 1969-1970 on the Plateau de Signes near Le Castellet. It was one of the first truly modern autodromes, with long run-offs and multiple configurations. After a test-focused era in the 2000s, extensive upgrades brought back regular international racing, including the return of the French Grand Prix from 2018 to 2022.
When was its first race?
The venue’s first race meetings ran in 1970. Formula 1 first visited in 1971, launching a long association with the French Grand Prix across different periods.
What's the circuit like?
- Power and aero: The Mistral Straight rewards top-end performance and efficient drag, while Signes (T10) is a high-speed commitment check that leads immediately into the long, technical Beausset right-hander.
- Multiple layouts: Series can choose the no-chicane Mistral for maximum speed or the Nord/Sud chicanes for extra braking zones and overtakes. The GP layout totals 5.842 km and 15 turns.
- Run-off technology: The blue and red painted abrasion zones slow cars progressively and allow bolder lines, but they punish tyres if abused.
- Wind factor: The Mistral wind can swing braking points for the Verrerie chicane and alter balance through Signes and Beausset.
- Benchmark pace: F1 race-lap record 1:32.740 (2019) with poles typically in the mid 1:30s on the GP layout depending on conditions.
Lap records and benchmarks (by series)
- Formula 1 - race lap: 1:32.740 - Sebastian Vettel, 2019 French GP.
- FIA WEC/ELMS reference: Hypercar/LMP2 race laps typically in the low-to-mid 1:40s on the GP layout, with GTs around the 1:55-2:00 window depending on BoP and track temp.
- GT World Challenge Europe: 1000 km enduro benchmarks put GT3s around the 1:53-1:56 zone in qualifying, a touch slower in race trim.
- FIM Endurance - Bol d'Or: 24-hour motorcycle classic uses the high-speed layout - superbikes draft along Mistral before the flat-out approach to Signes.
Why go?
Sun-baked Provence scenery, easy spectator access and grandstands with wide sightlines. The Mistral-to-Signes sequence produces visible bravery and great photos, while endurance events like the 1000 km and Bol d'Or offer day-to-night drama and open paddocks.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Signes - Beausset: See flat-out cornering into heavy-load rotation - mistakes here snowball quickly.
- Verrerie chicane (T1-2): Starts, restarts and classic out-braking with switchbacks on exit.
- Mistral chicane: If used, it creates a second big stop and prime pass zone mid-lap.
- Final sector: Traction out of the double-rights sets the launch to the line and shows tyre management late in stints.
Not just F1: headline series at Le Castellet
GT World Challenge Europe 1000 km: A blue-riband GT3 enduro with sunset stints and thick traffic on the GP layout.
ELMS and FIA WEC visits: Multi-class racing showcases slipstream battles on Mistral and strategy around the chicanes.
Bol d'Or 24H: One of endurance motorcycling’s crown jewels - night running at >300 km/h on Mistral is unforgettable.
Testing hub: Year-round climate and run-off tech make Paul Ricard a prime proving ground for F1, endurance and GT programs.
