Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
{{Short description|Motorsport track in France}}
{{Expand German|Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|fa=yes|topic=sport|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| Name = Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
| Location = Magny-Cours, France
| Time = CET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
| Coordinates = {{Coord|46|51|48|N|03|09|48|E|type:landmark_region:FR|display=it}}
| Image = 250px
| Image_caption = Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
| Capacity = 139,112
| FIAGrade = 1
| Owner = Conseil Départemental de la Nièvre (1986–present)
| Opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1960|08|07}}
| Former_names = Circuit Jean Behra (1960–1970)
| Events = Current:
World SBK
(1991, 2003–present)
GT World Challenge Europe (2020–2022, 2024–present)
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)
| Layout1 = Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
| Length_km = 4.411
| Length_mi = 2.741
| Turns = 17
| Record_time = 1:15.377
| Record_driver = {{flagicon|GER}} Michael Schumacher
| Record_car = Ferrari F2004
| Record_year = 2004
| Record_class = F1
| Layout2 = National Circuit (2003–present)
| Length_km2 = 2.684
| Length_mi2 = 1.668
| Turns2 = 12
| Record_time2 =
| Record_driver2 =
| Record_car2 =
| Record_year2 =
| Record_class2 =
| Layout3 = Club Circuit (1992–present)
| Length_km3 = 1.727
| Length_mi3 = 1.073
| Turns3 = 11
| Record_time3 =
| Record_driver3 =
| Record_car3 =
| Record_year3 =
| Record_class3 =
| Layout4 = Grand Prix Circuit (1992–2002)
| Length_km4 = 4.250
| Length_mi4 = 2.641
| Turns4 = 15
| Record_time4 = 1:15.045
| Record_driver4 = {{flagicon|GBR}} David Coulthard
| Record_car4 = McLaren MP4-17
| Record_year4 = 2002
| Record_class4 = F1
| Layout5 = Grand Prix Circuit (1989–1991)
| Length_km5 = 4.271
| Length_mi5 = 2.654
| Turns5 = 17
| Record_time5 = 1:19.168
| Record_driver5 = {{flagicon|GBR}} Nigel Mansell
| Record_car5 = Williams FW14
| Record_year5 = 1991
| Record_class5 = F1
| Layout6 = Full Circuit (1971–1988)
| Length_km6 = 3.850
| Length_mi6 = 2.391
| Turns6 = 14
| Record_time6 = 1:20.200
| Record_driver6 = {{flagicon|FRA}} Jacques Laffite
| Record_car6 = Martini MK16
| Record_year6 = 1975
| Record_class6 = F2
| Layout7 = Original Circuit (1960–1988)
| Length_km7 = 1.995
| Length_mi7 = 1.240
| Turns7 = 5
| Record_time7 = 0:47.900
| Record_driver7 = {{flagicon|AUS}} Paul Hawkins
| Record_car7 = Lola T70 Mk.IIIB GT
| Record_year7 = 1969
| Record_class7 = Group 4
}}
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is a {{cvt|4.411|km|abbr=on}} motor racing circuit located in central France, near the towns of Magny-Cours and Nevers, some {{cvt|250|km|mi|adj=on}} from Paris and {{cvt|240|km|mi|adj=on}} from Lyon.{{cite news |url=http://www.race-game.org/tracks/magny.htm |title=Magny-Cours |publisher=race-game.org |year=2006 |access-date=2009-11-16 |archive-date=2012-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207094929/http://www.race-game.org/tracks/magny.htm |url-status=dead}}
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 on 7 August 1960.{{cite web |title=History of the Circuit |url=https://www.circuitmagnycours.com/en/historic/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721095553/https://www.circuitmagnycours.com/en/historic/ |url-status=dead }} 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.
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|date=November 2019}}
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. For the 2003 French Grand Prix, the final corner and chicane were changed in an effort to increase overtaking, with little effect.
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|date=June 2020}}
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.{{cite news |title=FIA reveals 18-race calendar for 2008 |publisher=formula1.com |url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/7/6548.html |date=2007-07-27 |access-date=2007-07-27 |archive-date=2007-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930202805/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/7/6548.html |url-status=live }}
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.{{cite news |title=Motor racing-No 2009 French GP at Magny-Cours, says Ecclestone |publisher=uk.reuters.com |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/motorSportsNews/idUKL1258523920080512 |date=2008-05-12 |access-date=2008-05-25 |archive-date=2008-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719202623/http://uk.reuters.com/article/motorSportsNews/idUKL1258523920080512 |url-status=dead}} The venue suffered from poor attendances due to its remote location, poor access and insufficient accommodation.{{cite news |title=Ecclestone: No more races at Magny-Cours |publisher=autosport.com |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67384 |date=2008-05-12 |access-date=2015-09-07 |archive-date=2015-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714210230/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67384 |url-status=live }}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.superleagueformula.com/superleague/News-Media/News-archive/12-races-on-the-2010-Superleague-Formula-by-Sonangol-schedule |title=12 races on the 2010 Superleague Formula by Sonangol schedule |access-date=2010-01-12 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115070430/http://www.superleagueformula.com/superleague/News-Media/News-archive/12-races-on-the-2010-Superleague-Formula-by-Sonangol-schedule |archive-date=2010-01-15}}
The circuit was used as part of stage three of the 2014 Paris–Nice cycling race,{{cite web |title=Stage 3: Toucy to Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours |url=http://www.letour.com/paris-nice/2014/us/stage-3.html |work=Paris–Nice |publisher=Amaury Sport Organisation |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309174412/http://www.letour.com/paris-nice/2014/us/stage-3.html |archive-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}} 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
Image:Mark Webber 2006.jpg chicane. (Mark Webber pictured driving for Williams).]]
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. 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|date=June 2020}}
The circuit provides few overtaking opportunities, despite modifications in 2003, which means the races here are commonly regarded as quite uneventful.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250889.stm |title=French Grand Prix |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=29 June 2007 |access-date=16 November 2009 |archive-date=18 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618023907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/4250889.stm |url-status=live}} Formula 1 races at Magny-Cours tend to have a processional nature, with most overtaking occurring during pit stop sequences.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}
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: Fun Cup France, Grand Prix de France de Superkart
- June: {{ill|French Superbike Championship|fr|Championnat de France Superbike}}
- July: FIM JuniorGP World Championship, FIM Moto2 European Championship
- August: GT World Challenge Europe, FFSA GT Championship, French F4 Championship, Alpine Elf Cup Series, Renault Clio Cup Europe
- September: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, Supersport 300 World Championship, FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship
- October: Ultimate Cup Series, Historic Tour Magny-Cours
; Former
- Auto GP (2003, 2007, 2009–2010)
- British Formula 3 International Series (2010)
- British GT Championship (2005–2006)
- EuroBOSS Series (2005, 2010)
- EFDA Nations Cup (1995)
- Eurocup Mégane Trophy (2007, 2010)
- European F3 Open Championship (2006–2011)
- 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)
- {{ill|Porsche Carrera Cup Italia|it}} (2013)
- Porsche Supercup (1993–1997, 2000, 2003–2008)
- Racecar Euro Series (2009, 2011)
- Sidecar World Championship (1992, 2003, 2010)
- Supercar Challenge (2019)
- 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
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.{{cite web |title=Magny-Cours - Motor Sport Magazine |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/circuits/magny-cours/ |website=Motor Sport Magazine |access-date=8 January 2023}} As of September 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours are listed as:
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 {{cvt|800|mm|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.
{{Weather box
|location = Nevers (1981–2010 averages)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 17.2
|Feb record high C = 23.5
|Mar record high C = 26.7
|Apr record high C = 30.0
|May record high C = 31.0
|Jun record high C = 37.5
|Jul record high C = 38.7
|Aug record high C = 39.2
|Sep record high C = 35.1
|Oct record high C = 30.2
|Nov record high C = 23.5
|Dec record high C = 19.5
|year record high C = 39.2
|Jan high C = 6.7
|Feb high C = 8.3
|Mar high C = 12.4
|Apr high C = 15.4
|May high C = 19.4
|Jun high C = 22.8
|Jul high C = 25.5
|Aug high C = 25.2
|Sep high C = 21.4
|Oct high C = 16.7
|Nov high C = 10.5
|Dec high C = 7.1
|year high C = 16.0
|Jan low C = 0.2
|Feb low C = -0.1
|Mar low C = 1.8
|Apr low C = 3.9
|May low C = 7.9
|Jun low C = 10.9
|Jul low C = 12.8
|Aug low C = 12.3
|Sep low C = 9.1
|Oct low C = 7.0
|Nov low C = 2.8
|Dec low C = 0.8
|year low C = 5.8
|Jan record low C = -25
|Feb record low C = -21.8
|Mar record low C = -13.8
|Apr record low C = -7.5
|May record low C = -4.8
|Jun record low C = 0.2
|Jul record low C = 3.4
|Aug record low C = 0.3
|Sep record low C = -1.2
|Oct record low C = -8.9
|Nov record low C = -12.3
|Dec record low C = -16.8
|year record low C = -21.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 62.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 57.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 54.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 68.7
|May precipitation mm = 80.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 70.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 61.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 60.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 67.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 77.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 70.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 73.2
|year precipitation mm = 804.1
|Jan precipitation days = 12.0
|Feb precipitation days = 10.0
|Mar precipitation days = 10.3
|Apr precipitation days = 10.7
|May precipitation days = 11.5
|Jun precipitation days = 8.8
|Jul precipitation days = 8.3
|Aug precipitation days = 8.3
|Sep precipitation days = 8.4
|Oct precipitation days = 11.0
|Nov precipitation days = 11.6
|Dec precipitation days = 11.7
|year precipitation days = 122.7
|Jan humidity = 87
|Feb humidity = 82
|Mar humidity = 78
|Apr humidity = 74
|May humidity = 77
|Jun humidity = 76
|Jul humidity = 74
|Aug humidity = 77
|Sep humidity = 80
|Oct humidity = 85
|Nov humidity = 87
|Dec humidity = 87
|year humidity = 80.3
|Jan sun = 65.5
|Feb sun = 85.6
|Mar sun = 147.7
|Apr sun = 170.3
|May sun = 197.9
|Jun sun = 223.2
|Jul sun = 235.0
|Aug sun = 227.5
|Sep sun = 180.0
|Oct sun = 121.0
|Nov sun = 65.4
|Dec sun = 54.9
|year sun = 1774.0
|source 1= Météo France{{cite web |url=http://www.meteofrance.com/climat/france/nevers/58160001/normales |title=Données climatiques de la station de Nevers |publisher=Meteo France |language=fr |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528194717/http://www.meteofrance.com/climat/france/nevers/58160001/normales |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.meteofrance.com/climat/france/bourgogne/regi26/normales |title=Climat Bourgogne |publisher=Meteo France |language=fr |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211202640/http://www.meteofrance.com/climat/france/bourgogne/regi26/normales |url-status=live }}
|source 2=Infoclimat.fr (humidity, 1961–1990){{cite web |url=http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07260-nevers-marzy.html |title=Normes et records 1961-1990: Nevers-Marzy (58) - altitude 175m |language=fr |publisher=Infoclimat |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227020830/https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07260-nevers-marzy.html |url-status=live }}
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://www.circuitmagnycours.com/}}
- [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=nevers,france&ll=46.863985,3.165350&spn=0.009956,0.015407&t=k&hl=en Google Maps satellite view of Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20050827091045/http://www.f1db.com/f1/page/Circuit_de_Nevers-Magny_Cours Nevers Magny-Cours History and Statistics]
- [http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/france_794/circuit_diagram.html Track info from official F1 site]
- [http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/6/7951.html A lap of Magny-Cours with Honda’s Alexander Wurz]
- [http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/6/7968.html Magny-Cours - the technical requirements]
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Category:Superbike World Championship circuits
Category:Sports venues in Nièvre