French Grand Prix: session times, weather forecast and support series info

The first race of a European triple-header is here, with the French Grand Prix at Circuit Paul Ricard set for this weekend. Just the third race at Paul Ricard since its return to the calendar in 2018, the race comes at a pivotal time in the championship.

Following the craziness that was the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and the return of iconic Monaco, the French Grand Prix will provide an opportunity to see the true pace of the cars in race trim.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull are expecting Mercedes to bounce back from a disappointing run, but Lewis Hamilton knows the Dutchman will put up a fight. Verstappen was fortunate to remain at the top of the championship after crashing out of the race in Baku, but Hamilton did not take his chance and ended a 54-race run of finishing in the points.

So both drivers will be hungry for redemption, and it’s balanced perfectly for a relentless three-week period of racing.

To make sure you’re on top of all the action, including circuit maps, session times, support series, weather forecast and the latest news from the weekend, check out this guide with all the information you’ll need.

French Grand Prix race preview

The French Grand Prix Circuit

Circuit Paul Ricard

Circuit Paul Ricard has a long history with Formula 1. It hosted the French Grand Prix intermittently throughout the ’70s and ’80s before Magny-Cours took the reins full-time in 1991. Grand Prix racing returned in 2018, and delivered a crazy start full of contact and flying carbon fibre.

The track, which is renowned for its wide open run-off areas, is a high-speed circuit with very few hard braking zones. The red-and-blue striped run-off areas make for some interesting racing, as drivers very rarely lose speed if they run off line, and seem to decide when and where they rejoin the track at their own volition. This did cause a crazy start off the line when racing returned to Paul Ricard, but the 2019 race was a more processional affair.

The track has numerous configurations, with the full track featuring a 3.6mile straight. For the Grand Prix, this is broken up with a chicane, introducing another opportunity to overtake.

Check out the action from 2020’s Formula Regional European Championship race at the circuit, which will give a taste of the F3 action we’re in for this weekend/

What happened at the last French Grand Prix?

French Grand Prix 2019

While Paul Ricard has a bit of a reputation for producing processional races, there was plenty of action on track last time out. A fledgling Pierre Gasly disappointed in his home race, having qualified a lowly ninth, he secured a single point by finishing 10th. It wasn’t what the Frenchman needed as his poor form with Red bull continued, but he was lucky to leave Paul Ricard with anything.

On the final lap, Ricciardo, Norris, Raikkonen and Hulkenberg were involved in an almighty scrap at the chicane on the straight. Ricciardo and Norris ran off and rejoined the track as they fought for position, as Kimi took both drivers. Ricciardo made his way back past the Finn, but was judged to have overtaken off the circuit. Two five-second penalties were applied to the Aussie’s time after the race, which promoted Gasly into the final point-scoring position.

At the front, Hamilton pulled away at a canter. He took victory by 18 seconds over his teammate Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver was holding off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who came to within a second of second-place.

French Grand Prix F1 session times

France is on Central European Summer Time, which is one hour ahead of British Summer Time. The race on Sunday kicks off at 3pm CEST.

French Grand Prix weather report

According to AccuWeather, it’s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend in the south of France. Temperatures will reach 30°C across the weekend, with a slim 20% chance of rain on Saturday. It will be humid all weekend

The city is forecast to be hit by strong winds on race day, with gusts reaching up to 48km/h. But the track is mostly protected by the buildings and architecture of the city, to unlikely to affect the racing on track.

Race support at the French Grand Prix

With the changes to the Formula 1 calendar, it was announed that the 2021 W Series will now begin at the Styrian Grand Prix. However, there is still plenty of support series action to follow, including Renault Clio Cup and FIA F3. The French Grand Prix has also been moved to the weekend the Classic Grand Prix was due to be held. So while fans may be disappointed to lose a weekend of racing, there will be classic car demonstrations on track all weekend.

Formula 3

It is round two of the Formula 3 Championship after the season got underway in Barcelona. Dane Dennis Hauger is at the top of the championship following his feature race victory in Catalunya. But as the series comes to France, drivers up and down the field will be looking to mount a challenge.

Renault Clio Cup

A highlight of the Renault Clio Cup season, the series supports the French Grand Prix again in 2021. 23 teams will go head to head in the inimitable Renault Clio for two races across the weekend. While they aren’t the most powerful machines on display over the weekend, they will prove to be two of the most entertaining races of the Grand Prix, with the drivers out to prove themselves in equal machinery.

How to stay up to date at the French Grand Prix

You can keep up-to-date across all the breaking news by following Motorsport.com throughout the race weekend.

Or get a round-up of the latest headlines from Baku and beyond with Motorsport.tv LIVE‘s latest bulletins. Head to their channel on Motorsport.tv for the latest news, interviews and reaction from the paddock. Check out their latest report on the Formula 1 technology being put to use in hospitals in Leicester.

And after both qualifying and the race, Autosport‘s top brass will join host Ariana Bravo to review all the top talking points. Check out the latest episode of the Autosport Podcast below, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.