Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Paul-Ricard circuit, located at Castellet in the Var, was designed by Paul Ricard, former mayor of Signes and entrepreneur. Desiring to create a safety reference circuit, he entrusted the route to renowned drivers such as Henri Pescarolo and Jean-Pierre Beltoise. Inaugurated on 18 April 1970, the 5.810 km circuit, including the famous Mistral straight line (1,800 m), quickly became a world reference. As early as 1971, he hosted the Formula 1 French Grand Prix, as well as motorbike events like the Bol d'Or from 1978.

In the 1980s, the circuit gradually lost its major events due to competition from the Nevers Magny-Cours circuit and anti-alcohol legislation. Repurchased in 1999 by Excelis, he transformed into High Tech Test Track, dedicated to technical testing, with 247 combinations of tracks. Philippe Gurdjian modernized infrastructure, introducing innovative clearance zones and a secure karting. The circuit became profitable, but closed to the public until 2009.

The re-opening to the public in 2009 marked a turning point, with the return of competitions like the FIA GT and the Le Mans Series. In 2018, after 28 years of absence, Formula 1 returned to Castellet, resulting in the construction of new infrastructure: 46,000 seats in stands, a 500-seat media center, and a 16 000-m2 paddock. The circuit today hosts major events such as the Bol d'Or (since 2015) and the 4 Hours of Castellet, while remaining a key economic player in the PACA region.

The track, designed for speed and safety, offers 25 turns and variable configurations (826 m to 5.861 km). The straight line of the Mistral, inspired by endurance races, reaches 300 km/h. The complex also includes an airport, hotels, and a 964 m karting supervised by Frédéric Julien. Since 2002, additional turns and abrasive asphalt clearance areas have been added to meet modern standards.

Paul Ricard, the project's central figure, was a visionary combining automotive passion and innovation. After his death, leaders such as Philippe Gurdjian, Gérard Neveu, and Stéphane Clair perpetuated his legacy. The circuit, now managed by a dedicated team, combines prestigious history (14 Grand Prix de F1 between 1971 and 1990, then 4 from 2018 to 2022) and modernity, with cutting-edge technologies and a significant regional economic impact (62% of local purchases, CA €22.63 million in 2019).

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