French Grand Prix 2023

Take your place in the grandstands of Circuit Paul Ricard  French Grand Prix. The 2018 race was the first time in a decade that the Grand Prix returned to France and this season will once again welcome the Formula 1 weekend.

After a successful and crowded 2018 weekend, Le Castellet is prepped and ready to take on the masses looking to get lost in Grand Prix excitement. Circuit Paul Ricard has a capacity of up to 90,000 spectators. During race weekend, those attendees are going to be traveling the streets of Le Castellet and the outlying areas, looking for more fun and thrills.

Considering this is the second time the race has been to Circuit Paul Ricard, drivers that are new on the scene won’t have had much time on the circuit. The unusual design of the track is sure to trip up some of the novice drivers. France’s iconic circuit features 14 turns and runs a length of 5.809 km.

The Blue and Red Zones provide two very different driving experiences, with the latter being known for its abrasive runoff. The circuit, named for famed French driver Paul Ricard, is generally a challenging one that will deliver an exciting race for the 2019 Grand Prix. For the 2018 French Grand Prix, it was Lewis Hamilton of the United Kingdom that walked away with the gold. Third place driver Kimi Raikkonen came in a surprising 25 seconds behind Hamilton, with Sebastian Vettel claiming fifth at 61 seconds behind. Clearly Circuit Paul Ricard is going to remain a challenge for the 2019 race.

Before and after the race, spectators will be looking for something to fill the void left by the lack of high-speed vehicles, burning rubber, and an intense event. Le Castellet is located in the thick of the Bandol vineyards and is a region with plenty of history. Much of it involves wine-making and tastings are in no short supply.

The city’s narrow streets are abundant with shops and photo opportunities, but it’s Marseille that attendees are sure to be drawn to. Located only 45 km from Le Castellet, Marseille is the tourist destination people will be looking for. The beachside city is ripe with oceanfront land to lounge on and Old Port boasts a great selection of restaurants and the historic Fort Saint-Jean.

For a view of the city, Grand Prix attendees can head to Notre-Dame de la Garde. The basilica landmark is a staple of Marseille that overlooks the vibrant coastal city, providing views of the crystal blue waters.

Though the 2018 race was marred by traffic problems, La Castellet still had plenty to learn after the 10 year hiatus. In that time, Grand Prix organizers in the French city will surely have addressed some of the problems that left thousands of spectators fighting traffic.