High downforce required in Magny-Cours

For the eighth race of the season, Formula One racing returns to Europe. Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, explains which conditions the team has to prepare for in Magny-Cours.

"The two Grands Prix in North America saw the cars run with medium downforce, but now we're heading into a series of races where high downforce will be the order of the day," Rampf comments. The 4.411 kilometre-long „Circuit de Nevers" was opened in 1961 and redesigned for the first time ten years later. Since 1991, the French Formula One Grand Prix has been held in Magny-Cours.

Rampf knows exactly what the track demands: "Magny-Cours offers an interesting mixture of slow and fast corners," the Technical Director says. "One feature worth mentioning is the track surface, which is very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. The right set-up in the morning might not necessarily be any good in the afternoon. This is something you have to remember when you're making changes to the car."

The last corner of the circuit is particularly challenging for the contestants. "The drivers have to be extremely aggressive over the high kerbs to record a good lap time," Rampf explains. "You have to set the car up with this in mind. Optimum grip is also extremely important through this section of the track. The rear tyres take a lot of punishment at Magny-Cours, which is a factor in deciding the right race strategy."