MAGNY-COURS
2008 CIRCUIT INFORMATION AND RACE PROGRAME
TTHE 2008 FRENCH FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX
France can be looked upon as the cradle of modern Formula 1 Grand Prix racing. The French Grand Prix of 1906 - staged near Le Mans - was the first automobile race to be called a "Grand Prix" and the 2008 French Grand Prix will mark the centenary celebration of this historic event. Since the start of the World Championship in 1950, but with the exception of 1955, the French Grand Prix has always been a permanent fixture on the Formula One calendar. The French Grand Prix moved from the famous Paul Ricard circuit to Magny Cours in 1991, due to French provincial politics. The President of France at that time, Francois Mitterand, was a native of Nevers, where Magny Cours is located. As a result the Circuit de Nevers underwent significant development as part of this French Government backed initiative and has been hosting the event ever since.
Magny Cours is not a circuit loved by many - even the French were not keen to see the race move from its Paul Ricard home in the early nineties - partly because Nevers is inaccessible, being in the middle of rural France, far from the major airports and motorways.
MAGNY-COURS CIRCUIT INFORMATION
General information
Located some 260 km south of Paris, Magny Cours boasts excellent pit facilities and high safety features, such as massive run-off areas with no concrete walls close to the racing line. The circuit was built with corners duplicated from other circuits around the world, resulting in some technically challenging elements. The biggest challenge is however faced by the tyre companies, which have to provide a tyre compound, that can give lasting grip on the smooth and often very hot track surface. Despite the circuit’s straights and heavy braking areas, there is little overtaking possible, mainly due to it’s low grip surface and downforce characteristics.
The weather at Nevers can be both extreme and changeable and the circuit tends to turn into a skating rink in the rain.
What the drivers say
The Circuit de Nevers at Magny Cours is challenging for the chassis, engines and tyres of the cars and more than 65 % of a lap is run at full throttle, which tends to reward the more powerful engines. The track has a very smooth and flat surface without bumps, which allows teams to run very low ground clearances in order to gain more downforce from the cars’ diffusers.
The surface's smooth texture doesn't wear the tyres down like an abrasive track, but it does allow the tyres to slide; creating excessive heat and a premature degrading of the tyre compounds. The typically hot weather usually only add to the teams’ problems of heat induced tyre blistering. The circuit features only one long corner, so the front tyres do not suffer as much as the rears, which are pressed hard for traction out of every hairpin. The traction control software must therefore limit the slip, which unfortunately again leads to higher tyre temperatures.
The circuit also places a premium on the brakes, mechanical grip and aerodynamics of the cars, which requires a finely tuned balance between downforce and drag, to optimised speed for both the straights and corners. Magny Cours demands a medium-high downforce setting, which assists braking into and traction through the corners, but which carries a penalty in terms of top speed down the straights. With an emphasis on aerodynamics, overtaking is therefore actually quite difficult unless the weather throws a spanner into the works.
RACING PROGRAM AND EVENT INFORMATION
Although not yet finalised for 2008, we have included the 2006 Formula 1 program, to give you an idea of what the event program should look like. Except for the two Friday free practices sessions, which will be extended to two 90 minute sessions for 2008, we do not expect any other major changes from the 2006 program.
So please take note that the following 2006 program and information could change for 2008.
THURSDAY
| 16h00 – 19h00 |
Formula One |
Pit Lane walk for all weekend ticket holders |
FRIDAY
| 09h30 – 10h00 |
GP2 |
First Free Practice Session |
| 11h00 – 12h00 |
Formula One |
First Free Practice Session |
| 12h25 – 12h55 |
Mini Challenge |
Free Practice Session |
| 14h00 – 15h00 |
Formula One |
Second Free Practice Sessions |
| 15h30 – 16h00 |
GP2 |
Qualifying Session |
| 16h30 – 17h15 |
Porsche Supercup |
First Free Practice Session |
| 17h40 – 18h10 |
Masters Historic F1 |
Practice and Qualifying Session |
SATURDAY
| 09h45 – 10h15 |
Mini Challenge |
Qualifying Session |
| 11h00 – 12h00 |
Formula 1 |
Third Practice Session |
| 12h25 – 13h10 |
Porsche Supercup |
Qualifying Session |
| 14h00 – 15h00 |
Formula 1 |
Qualifying Session |
| 16h00 – 17h15 |
GP2 |
Race 1 (40 laps) |
| 17h45 – 18h15 |
Masters Historic F1 |
Race |
| 18h30 |
ICM |
Charity laps |
SUNDAY
| 08H45 – 09h15 |
Mini Challenge |
Race (10 laps) |
| 10h00 – 10h45 |
GP2 |
Race 2 (28 Laps) |
| 10h55 – 11h00 |
Air Display |
French Patrol |
| 11h25 – 12h00 |
Porsche Supercup |
Race (15 Laps) |
| 12h10 – 12h20 |
ICM |
Charity laps |
| 12h30 |
Formula 1 |
Drivers Parade |
| 12h45 – 13h15 |
Formula One |
Grid Presentation |
| 13h00 – 13h05 |
Air Display |
French Patrol |
| 13h46 |
Formula One |
National Anthem |
| 14h00 |
Formula 1 |
Formula 1 Grand Prix de France 2008 (70 Laps) |
