The French Grand Prix is likely to be the hottest race of the season
In the middle of a heat wave, the French Grand Prix is expected to be the hottest of the year.
Formula 1 is heading to Castellet for the French Grand Prix. Located in Var, in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur, Castellet is a village situated between Toulon and Marseille. Due to its geographical location and the current weather, F1 should expect an extremely hot weekend. Moreover, France is currently experiencing a severe heatwave episode that is affecting the entire territory.
The weather forecast for this weekend predicts an average of 32°C with peaks reaching 35°C. Track temperatures are expected to be over 55°C, possibly reaching 60°C during qualifying, which will be crucial in tire selection. Pirelli is providing the C2, C3, and C4 compounds, which are one step harder than the softest ones.
In racing, we can expect similar track temperatures, which will lead to significant tire degradation, most likely resulting in a two-stop strategy. There are also risks associated with the engines and their performance.
The predicted temperatures for the French Grand Prix will pose a problem in ensuring that the engines and tires function at their best level. “It is up to us to foresee the best aerodynamic solutions to counter the high heat,” explains Diego Tondi, Chief of the Aerodynamics sector at Ferrari.
« We will use medium to high levels of cooling, using the vents on top of the car. We will also work on brake scoops to maximize wheel cooling, with the aim of reducing the flow of hot air on the tires. The track conditions already require us to adopt these solutions in order to prioritize tire preservation as much as possible, but with the high temperatures, it is even more important.
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The high temperatures could therefore have a significant impact on the race outcome. Tire management and reliability will be the most important parameters to consider for the Summer Race.
