Formula 1 drivers say they are braced for a processional French Grand Prix on Sunday, highlighting the lack of overtaking opportunities.
Formula 1 has returned to France after a decade-long absence, with Paul Ricard the venue for the first time since 1990.
The championship has opted to race on the 5.8km-long layout, using the North Chicane that breaks up the lengthy Mistral Straight.
Recent races have featured few passes due to the difficulty in following a rival, and the small delta between the respective groups of teams – those in the top three, and those in the ‘midfield’ pack.
Tyre degradation is also unlikely to provide a variable, with Pirelli expecting a straightforward one-stop strategy.
“The chicane kind of kills that [overtaking] because it is a very fast entry, a very short braking zone where you can’t really make a move,” said Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg.
“I am not sure if the DRS where it is now is long enough to get next to the car and get the job done before he chicane. We will see.”
Haas' Kevin Magnussen reckons "it’s too difficult to overtake with half a second advantage. You need something like one and a half, 1.8s [advantage], to get past. Obviously [a driver] can make a mistake and things can happen but I think it’s going to be an important first lap."
Daniel Ricciardo added: “From a racing point of view, it [not having the chicane] would enable a bigger tow, a chance at overtaking. Brendon [Hartley] raced here and was for it. For racecraft, it would be more fun.”
Toro Rosso’s Hartley quipped that “It is going to be a difficult track to pass on,” while team-mate Pierre Gasly light-heartedly suggested “everyone says it is going to be difficult to overtake so hopefully I will prove everyone wrong.”
Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, says he is expecting “zero overtaking – this is F1”, as he prepares to start from 16th place.
