Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is a 4.411 km (2.741 mi) motor racing circuit located in central France, near the towns of Magny-Cours and Nevers, some 250 km (160 mi) from Paris and 240 km (150 mi) from Lyon.[1]
 | |
| Location | Magny-Cours, France |
|---|---|
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
| Coordinates | 46°51′48″N 03°09′48″E |
| Capacity | 139,112 |
| FIA Grade | 1 |
| Owner | Conseil Départemental de la Nièvre (1986–present) |
| Opened | 7 August 1960 |
| Former names | Circuit Jean Behra (1960–1970) |
| Major events | Current: World SBK (1991, 2003–present) FFSA GT (1997–present) Future: GT World Challenge Europe (2020–2022, 2024) Former: Formula One French Grand Prix (1991–2008) WTCC Race of France (2005–2006) Grand Prix motorcycle racing French motorcycle Grand Prix (1992) Bol d'Or (2000–2014) International GT Open (2006–2011) World Sportscar Championship (1991–1992) FIA GT (2000–2005) Superleague Formula (2009–2010) |
| Website | www |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Length | 4.411 km (2.741 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:15.377 (Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, F1) |
| National Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Length | 2.684 km (1.668 miles) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Club Circuit (1992–present) | |
| Length | 1.727 km (1.073 miles) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1992–2002) | |
| Length | 4.250 km (2.641 miles) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:15.045 (David Coulthard, McLaren MP4-17, 2002, F1) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1989–1991) | |
| Length | 4.271 km (2.654 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:19.168 (Nigel Mansell, Williams FW14, 1991, F1) |
| Full Circuit (1971–1988) | |
| Length | 3.850 km (2.391 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.200 (Jacques Laffite, Martini MK16, 1975, F2) |
| Original Circuit (1960–1988) | |
| Length | 1.995 km (1.240 miles) |
| Turns | 5 |
| Race lap record | 0:47.900 (Paul Hawkins, Lola T70 Mk.IIIB GT, 1969, Group 4) |
It staged the Formula One French Grand Prix from 1991 (succeeding Circuit Paul Ricard) to 2008, and the 24-hour Bol d'Or motorcycle endurance events from 2000 to 2014 (succeeded by Circuit Paul Ricard). It hosted the French motorcycle Grand Prix in 1992, and the Superbike World Championship in 1991 and annually since 2003.
Magny-Cours has hosted several additional international championships, like the World Sportscar Championship, World Touring Car Championship, FIA GT Championship, World Series by Renault and Formula 3 Euroseries. Also, the FFSA GT Championship has visited the circuit since 1997.
A campus of the French engineering college Institut supérieur de l'automobile et des transports is also located on the circuit, as well as the museum Conservatoire de la monoplace française.
History
Commonly dubbed Magny-Cours, it was built in 1960 by Jean Bernigaud and was home to the prestigious Winfield racing school (École de Pilotage Winfield), which produced drivers such as François Cevert, Jacques Laffite and Didier Pironi. The circuit was opened in 7 August 1960.[2] However, in the 1980s the track fell into disrepair and was not used for international motor racing until it was purchased by the Conseil Départemental de la Nièvre in 1986.[2]
In the 1990s, the Ligier Formula One team and its successor Prost were based at the circuit and did much of their testing at Magny-Cours.
The circuit hosted the French Formula One Grand Prix from 1991 until 2008, and the Bol d'Or from 2000 until 2014.
The circuit was re-designed in 2003 and used for a wide range of events include various sports and commercial use.[1] For the 2003 French Grand Prix, the final corner and chicane were changed in an effort to increase overtaking, with little effect.[2]
Michael Schumacher was able to win the 2004 French Grand Prix using an unprecedented four-stop strategy.
In 2006, Michael Schumacher became the first driver ever to win any single Formula One Grand Prix a total of 8 times and at the same circuit.
Bernie Ecclestone originally confirmed that F1 would not return to Magny-Cours in 2008, instead moving to an alternative location possibly in Paris. However in a striking U-turn, it was revealed that the 2008 French Grand Prix would take place at Magny-Cours with the release of the official calendar in July 2007.[3]
In May 2008, Ecclestone confirmed that Magny-Cours would stop hosting the French Grand Prix after the 2008 race, suggesting that he was looking into the possibility of hosting the French Grand Prix on the streets of Paris.[4] The venue suffered from poor attendances due to its remote location, poor access and insufficient accommodation.[5]
In June 2008, the provisional calendar for the 2009 season was released, and a French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours appeared on it, scheduled for 28 June. However, in October 2008 the 2009 French Grand Prix was cancelled after the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) withdrew financing for the event. In 2009 the track hosted its first Superleague Formula event. It also hosted a second event in 2010.[6]
The circuit was used as part of stage three of the 2014 Paris–Nice cycling race,[7] with the peloton completing almost a full lap of the circuit – in the reverse direction to its motorsport use – before the finish on the front straight.
The circuit
The track nowadays is a smooth circuit with good facilities for the teams, although restricted access prevents spectators from reaching many parts of the circuit. Unusually, many corners are modelled on famous turns from other circuits, and are named after those circuits, i.e.. the fast Estoril corner (turn 3), the Adelaide hairpin (turn 5) and the Nürburgring and Imola chicanes (turns 7 and 12 respectively). It has a mix of slow hairpins and high-speed chicane sections which includes a long fast straight into the first-gear Adelaide hairpin, the best overtaking opportunity on the circuit.[1] The circuit is very flat with negligible change in elevation (only a small valley at the Estoril corner and a slight hill near the Lycee corner).
The circuit provides few overtaking opportunities, despite modifications in 2003, which means the races here are commonly regarded as quite uneventful.[8] Formula 1 races at Magny-Cours tend to have a processional nature, with most overtaking occurring during pit stop sequences.
More varied racing occurs when it rains, such as in the 1999 race, which was interrupted by a downpour. After a restart, most top contenders developed problems, which paved the way for Heinz-Harald Frentzen to claim a surprising victory in his Jordan.
Although the Bol d'Or 24-hour motorcycle endurance race was held at Magny-Cours for several years, it returned to the more popular Circuit Paul Ricard in 2015, which held the mentioned race before Magny-Cours.
Events
- Current
- May: Alpine Elf Europa Cup, FFSA GT Championship, French F4 Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup France, Grand Prix de France de Superkart
- June: Fun Cup
- September: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, Supersport 300 World Championship
- October: Ultimate Cup Series 4 Hours of Magny-Cours, Historic Tour Magny-Cours
- Future
- GT World Challenge Europe (2020–2022, 2024)
- Former
- Auto GP (2003, 2007, 2009–2010)
- British Formula 3 International Series (2010)
- EuroBOSS Series (2005, 2010)
- European Touring Car Championship (2001–2004)
- European Touring Car Cup (2016)
- FIA European Formula 3 Championship (1978–1984)
- FIA GT Championship (2000–2005)
- FIA Sportscar Championship (1999–2002)
- FIM Endurance World Championship Bol d'Or (2000–2014)
- Formula 3 Euro Series (2003–2004, 2007)
- Formula 750 (1975)
- Formula One French Grand Prix (1991–2008)
- Formula Renault Eurocup (2004, 2007, 2010, 2020)
- French Formula Renault Championship (1971–1973, 1975–1987, 1989–2009)
- French Formula Three Championship (1964–1973, 1978–1987, 1989–2002)
- French Supertouring Championship (1976–1987, 1989–1990, 1992–1994, 1997–2005)
- GP2 Series (2005–2008)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing French motorcycle Grand Prix (1992)
- International Formula 3000 (1992–1996, 1999–2004)
- International GT Open (2006–2011)
- International Touring Car Championship (1995–1996)
- Porsche Supercup (1993–1997, 2000, 2003–2008)
- Racecar Euro Series (2009, 2011)
- Sidecar World Championship (1992, 2003, 2010)
- Superleague Formula (2009–2010)
- World Sportscar Championship Championnat du Monde de Voitures de Sport (1991–1992)
- World Touring Car Championship FIA WTCC Race of France (2005–2006)
Lap records
The official lap record for the current Grand Prix circuit layout is 1:15.377, set by Michael Schumacher during the 2004 French Grand Prix, while the unofficial all-time track record is 1:13.698, set by Fernando Alonso in the qualifying of aforementioned race.[9] As of September 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours are listed as:
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Weather and climate
The Nevers area has an oceanic climate that is still influenced by its far inland position. With a yearly precipitation of over 800 mm (31 in) on average, Magny-Cours is theoretically prone to rain affecting proceedings, although in the Formula One era, it often evaded the rainfall. There was one notable exception, when both the qualifying and the race of 1999 saw a fully wet track. With the Grand Prix being held in the middle of summer, tyre wear through high asphalt temperatures was possible. Magny-Cours' main event post-Grand Prix era, Superbike World Championship is being held in autumn and as a result sees colder temperatures.
| Climate data for Nevers (1981–2010 averages) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
23.5 (74.3) |
26.7 (80.1) |
30.0 (86.0) |
31.0 (87.8) |
37.5 (99.5) |
38.7 (101.7) |
39.2 (102.6) |
35.1 (95.2) |
30.2 (86.4) |
23.5 (74.3) |
19.5 (67.1) |
39.2 (102.6) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 6.7 (44.1) |
8.3 (46.9) |
12.4 (54.3) |
15.4 (59.7) |
19.4 (66.9) |
22.8 (73.0) |
25.5 (77.9) |
25.2 (77.4) |
21.4 (70.5) |
16.7 (62.1) |
10.5 (50.9) |
7.1 (44.8) |
16.0 (60.8) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 0.2 (32.4) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
1.8 (35.2) |
3.9 (39.0) |
7.9 (46.2) |
10.9 (51.6) |
12.8 (55.0) |
12.3 (54.1) |
9.1 (48.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
2.8 (37.0) |
0.8 (33.4) |
5.8 (42.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −25 (−13) |
−21.8 (−7.2) |
−13.8 (7.2) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
0.2 (32.4) |
3.4 (38.1) |
0.3 (32.5) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−8.9 (16.0) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
−16.8 (1.8) |
−21.8 (−7.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 62.0 (2.44) |
57.8 (2.28) |
54.3 (2.14) |
68.7 (2.70) |
80.1 (3.15) |
70.1 (2.76) |
61.8 (2.43) |
60.9 (2.40) |
67.5 (2.66) |
77.6 (3.06) |
70.1 (2.76) |
73.2 (2.88) |
804.1 (31.66) |
| Average precipitation days | 12.0 | 10.0 | 10.3 | 10.7 | 11.5 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 11.0 | 11.6 | 11.7 | 122.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 87 | 82 | 78 | 74 | 77 | 76 | 74 | 77 | 80 | 85 | 87 | 87 | 80.3 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 65.5 | 85.6 | 147.7 | 170.3 | 197.9 | 223.2 | 235.0 | 227.5 | 180.0 | 121.0 | 65.4 | 54.9 | 1,774 |
| Source 1: Météo France[59][60] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity, 1961–1990)[61] | |||||||||||||
References
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- "History of the Circuit". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- "FIA reveals 18-race calendar for 2008". formula1.com. 2007-07-27. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
- "Motor racing-No 2009 French GP at Magny-Cours, says Ecclestone". uk.reuters.com. 2008-05-12. Archived from the original on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
- "Ecclestone: No more races at Magny-Cours". autosport.com. 2008-05-12. Archived from the original on 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
- "12 races on the 2010 Superleague Formula by Sonangol schedule". Archived from the original on 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- "Stage 3: Toucy to Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours". Paris–Nice. Amaury Sport Organisation. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- "French Grand Prix". bbc.co.uk. 29 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
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- "Ultimate Cup Series Magny-Cours 16-18 Octobre 2020 Challenge Proto / Challenge CN 4H Endurance Final Classification". 17 October 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
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- "Fanatec GTWC pwrd by AWS Sprint Cup round 2 Championnat de France FFSA GT Race 1 Magny-Cours" (PDF). 8 May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- "2010 Round 3: Magny Cours Eurocup Mégane Trophy Race 2 (40' +1 lap) Final Classification" (PDF). 20 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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- "2003 French Supertourisme Championship Round 7: Magny-Cours, 25th-26th October Race 1". Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "Magny-Cours Cups 2019 >> Supercar + GTPrototype Challenge Laptimes - Race 2" (PDF). 21 April 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- "ETCC 2004 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 6 Results". Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- "Supersport 300 Pirelli French Round, 9-11 September 2022 Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- "Championnat de France des Circuits - Magny-Cours 08-10 September 2017 Clio Cup Series Race 2 Final Classification". 10 September 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- "ETC Cup 2016 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 10 Results". Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- "500 km Magny-Cours 1992". Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
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- "2001 Magny-Cours French F3 - Round 11". Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- "ITC 1996 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 18 Results". Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- "FIA GT Championship Magny-Cours 2002". Archived from the original on 2022-01-04. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- "2002 French Formula Renault Round 8: Magny Cours, 20th October Race Result". Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "FIA GT Championship Magny-Cours 2000". Archived from the original on 2021-09-08. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- "2001 French Super Touring Championship Magny-Cours - 13th-14th October, Round 9 Race 2: 14 laps". Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- "European Super Touring Championship 2001 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 5 Results". Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- "Porsche Supercup 2000 Round 6: Magny-Cours, 2nd July". Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- "ETCC 2002 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 2 Results". Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- "Sportscar World Championship Magny-Cours 1991". Archived from the original on 2021-11-22. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- "1991 Magny-Cours French F3 - Round 3". Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- "1991 Magny-Cours World SBK Race 2 Statistics". Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- "1975 Magny-Cours F2". Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- "1984 Magny-Cours European F3". Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- "French Gr.6 Magny-Cours 1984". Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- "Magny-Cours 1969". Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- "VIII Critérium de Magny-Cours". Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- "Données climatiques de la station de Nevers" (in French). Meteo France. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
- "Climat Bourgogne" (in French). Meteo France. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
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External links
