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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 / 46.86333°N 3.16333°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) GT World Challenge Europe (2020–2022, 2024) FFSA GT (1997–present) 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 | https://www.circuitmagnycours.com |
| 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
editCommonly 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 on 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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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
editThe 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).[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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
edit- Current
- May: Fun Cup, Grand Prix de France de Superkart
- June: French Superbike Championship
- July: Historic Tour Magny-Cours
- August: GT World Challenge Europe, FFSA GT Championship, French F4 Championship, Renault Clio Cup Europe
- September: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, Supersport 300 World Championship
- October: Ultimate Cup Series 4 Hours of Magny-Cours
- Future
- Alpine Elf Cup (2020–2023, 2025)
- FIM JuniorGP World Championship (2025)
- FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship (2025)
- Former
- Auto GP (2003, 2007, 2009–2010)
- British Formula 3 International Series (2010)
- EuroBOSS Series (2005, 2010)
- Eurocup Mégane Trophy (2007, 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 Palmer Audi (2000)
- Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2007, 2010)
- Formula Renault Eurocup (1993–1996, 2000–2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2020)
- Formula Renault V6 Eurocup (2003–2004)
- 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)
- GT4 European Cup (2007, 2010)
- International Formula 3000 (1992–1996, 1999–2004)
- International GT Open (2006–2011)
- Italian Superturismo Championship (2005–2006)
- International Touring Car Championship (1995–1996)
- Porsche Carrera Cup France (1991–1995, 1998–2010, 2012–2015, 2017–2023)
- Porsche Carrera Cup Italia (2013)
- Porsche Supercup (1993–1997, 2000, 2003–2008)
- Racecar Euro Series (2009, 2011)
- Sidecar World Championship (1992, 2003, 2010)
- Superleague Formula
- Superleague Formula round France (2009–2010)
- Trofeo Maserati (2003–2004)
- World Series by Nissan (2000–2004)
- 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
editThe 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 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours are listed as:
Weather and climate
editThe 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) |
| Mean daily maximum °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) |
| Mean daily minimum °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[66][67] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity, 1961–1990)[68] | |||||||||||||
References
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- ^ a b c "History of the Circuit". Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. 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.
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- ^ "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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- ^ "2003 French Supertourisme Championship Round 7: Magny-Cours, 25th-26th October Race 1". 26 October 2003. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "ETCC 2004 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 6 Results". 2 May 2004. 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.
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- ^ a b "500 km Magny-Cours 1992". 18 October 1992. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "2002 F3000 International Championship Magny-Cours Race Statistics". 20 July 2002. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "2002 Formula Nissan Magny-Cours (Race 2)". 31 August 2002. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ a b "FIA Sportscar Championship Magny-Cours 2002". 30 June 2002. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "2001 Magny-Cours French F3 - Round 11". Motor Sport Magazine. 14 October 2001. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "ITC 1996 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 18 Results". 15 September 1996. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "FIA GT Championship Magny-Cours 2002". 21 April 2002. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "2002 Eurocup Formula Renault Magny-Cours". 20 April 2002. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ "FIA GT Championship Magny-Cours 2000". 22 October 2000. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "2001 French Super Touring Championship Magny-Cours - 13th-14th October, Round 9 Race 2: 14 laps". 14 October 2001. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "European Super Touring Championship 2001 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 5 Results". 1 May 2001. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ "Porsche Supercup 2000 Round 6: Magny-Cours, 2nd July". 2 July 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ "ETCC 2002 » Magny-Cours Grand Prix Round 2 Results". 21 April 2002. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "Sportscar World Championship Magny-Cours 1991". 15 September 1991. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ "1991 Magny-Cours French F3 - Round 3". Motor Sport Magazine. 28 April 1991. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
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- ^ "1975 Magny-Cours F2". Motor Sport Magazine. 4 May 1975. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ "1984 Magny-Cours European F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 1 May 1984. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
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