Built in 1970 by the aniseed drink tycoon, the Paul Ricard circuithosted14Formula 1Grands Prix, 22 Bols d'Or and 12World Championship Moto Grands Prix. Totally renovated by Philippe Gurdjian at the start of the 2000s, the circuit has become a point of reference for motor sport safety, notably thanks to the asphalt run-off areas instead of gravel traps. It remains closed to the public and for 9 years was reserved for teams and manufacturers' development testing. Under the leadership of Gérard Neveu, then Director of the circuit, Paul Ricard reopened its doors to the public in 2009. Every Le Mans Series season has begun at the Paul Ricard circuit, since the start of the series in 2004, by means of the annual international press conference that launched each season. This is still true for 2013, with a test session due at the end of March. The French race will close the season in September. From 2010 to 2012, the season-opener would systematically take place at the Paul Ricard circuit.

Most recent European Le Mans Series results (2012)

LMP2: Thiriet by TDS Racing –No. 46 Oreca 03 Nissan - Pierre Thiriet/Mathias Beche

LMPC (ex-FLM): CURTIS Racing Technologies –No.42 Oreca FLM09 - Phil Keen/John Hartshorne/Alex Kapadia

LMGTE Pro: JMW Motorsport –No. 66 Ferrari 458 Italia GT - Jonny Cocker/James Walker

LMGTE Am: Prospeed Competition –No.75 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR - Marc Goossens/MaximeSoulet

Nearest Airports:
Private International Airport of Le Castellet
Airport of Marseille (66 KM)
Airport of Nice (176 KM)
Airport of Toulon (55 KM)