2019 French GP - Paul Ricard Circuit

[Nitrodaze]

F1 steams into France in the wake of the most controversial penalty of the season. A decision taken by the stewards that effectively deprived Ferrari of their first win of the season and awarded Mercedes a race win that adds one more record to their already illustrious F1 history. Seven consecutive wins from the start of the 2019 season, presents Mercedes with a dream start to a season that seemed an up hill battle at the end of winter testing.

Many would argue the finer points of the penalty until the end of the season and probably beyond. Whatever the case, Ferrari arrives at Paul Ricard with one of their most nightmarish start to their 2019 season. Seven races in, and no race win to their name. The Canadian GP left a sour taste in the proverbial Ferrari mouths. A painful sting that makes the French GP, a race that they must strive to win, in consolation for the two that got away.

The Paul Ricard circuit have a layout that should place Ferrari, well in the mix and with a realistic chance of winning the race. While the long straights of this track poses a disadvantage to Mercedes, the slow corners of the track, pose an equal disadvantage to Ferrari. Hence we are in for a race where the odds are equally balanced against the two leading teams.

It would seem the driver and the efficiency of the pit wall and crew shall make all the difference of who shall come out on top at the end of the weekend. It would be an incredible achievement if Mercedes can muster an eighth consecutive win to their 2019 season. It would also be a very popular win, if Ferrari can finally put a win on the board.

This is also a race where it is crucial for Bottas to recover ground against Hamilton, in order to keep his championship chances alive. A Hamilton win would effectively relegate Bottas to a support role for the rest of the season.

This weekend, all eyes shall be on Renault. Mostly to see what upgrades they bring to their home race, and how much of an improvement they have found with their engine upgrades. Anything short of being the best of the rest at the end of this race, would be seen mostly as a confirmation of a failed season for Renault.

With Renault within touching distance of Mclaren in the constructors battle for fourth place. Mclaren needs both of their car scoring points and essentially ahead of the Renault cars this weekend, to consolidate their fourth place. The battle for fourth in the constructors championship is hotting up as Renault zeros in on Mclaren.



Now look at these dreamy grid girls and tell the old farts at Liberty what you really think about the absence of grid girls in the F1 race weekends.