'It's just run-offs everywhere' - Stroll not keen on French GP circuit

Williams driver Lance Stroll has not held back on his opinion of the Circuit Paul Ricard, which returns to the Grand Prix calendar this weekend, adding that he has experience of driving there during his Formula 3 days but doesn't enjoy racing there.

The French Grand Prix is back after a decade away from Formula 1 but had been held at Magny-Cours most recently, with Circuit Paul Ricard not having hosted an F1 race since 1990.

The return has been met with trepidation from some of the younger drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, who have never had the opportunity to drive the track before and so this represents a new experience for them.

19-year-old Stroll said that he does have history with the track - but wasn't exactly glowing in his description of his time round there.

He added: "I know the Paul Ricard track from when I drove in Formula 3.

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“I had a good time there and won a race, but I have to be honest because I can’t say I like it. It is just run offs everywhere and I am not a big fan.

“However, it is always interesting to go back to somewhere I have raced before and see what it is like in a Formula 1 car.”

Williams CTO Paddy Lowe reflected on his own memories of the circuit, with Damon Hill in particular enjoying a fruitful spell there nearly 30 years ago.

Lowe said: "There are many memories from our previous visits to Paul Ricard, but one that stands out personally was when Williams first tested traction control here with the FW14B during the winter of 1991.

“Damon Hill was behind the wheel and he thought it was holding him back, but he was actually a second a lap faster!”