French Grand Prix Set to Return to Formula One in 2018

[Ian Fleming]

The Mistral Straight is 1800m.

Yeah... straight into signes. Great racing/passing and balls required.

 

[paracletus]

Anyway, it's better than a number of the current f1 tracks (e.g. russia)

Why are gravel traps a thing of the past -- can't understand why they've removed them from some of the best tracks.
gravel traps should be a part of every large race track, adds to the challenge.

 

[Erwin Greven]

1. safety: tarmac slows down more than gravel. Also the is less prone of rolling.
   
2. commercial interest. Every car that is stuck in a gravel trap is out of the race, so less exposure of the sponsors. Plus, a car that stuck in the gravel trap is a bad advertisment. Loser!! + sponsor attached.

 

[gamer19]

Plus.. stuck car means that another, if spun on same place (and if there's some reason like oil or more water on that place chances are bigger) could collide with it, or, probably even worse, hit marshal or driver who's exiting car. Jules Bianchi tragic crash in Suzuka is case that proves the point.
If there's tarmac instead of gravel, cars are removed much faster and then there's much less chances of hat kind of dramatic crashes.

edit:
But, on the other hand, Moto races are something completely different, gravel is their best solution as vehicle stopper, as we may see from Salom's death. So, guess it depends what kind of racing you want and, clearly, same tracks shouldn't be used for both. Many, sadly, do.

 

[tswest]

Oh shame a whole lot of anti Paul Richard (and French GP?) loud-mouths - Luckily NONE OF YOU need to GO there or RACE there - so move along please - Boring?? LOL so you find fun and games driving an F1 car where exactly ??