F1 French Grand Prix: practice, qualifying, race start time, betting odds and TV details

Circuit Paul Ricard 2018 F1 French Grand Prix

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel drives at Circuit Paul Ricard during wet weather tyre testing in 2016

(Image credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

published 20 June 2018

Valtteri Bottas admits that Mercedes are “definitely not the favourites” for this weekend’s Formula 1 French Grand Prix.

French Grand Prix: the lost circuits and how to find them 2018 F1 season guide: final drivers’ and constructors’ standings

F1 returns to the Circuit Paul Ricard for its first race since 1990 with Ferrari ace Sebastian Vettel leading the drivers’ standings ahead of Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Bottas.

Vettel’s victory in Canada was his third of the season and Bottas, who finished second in Montreal, says Mercedes need to keep on improving in France.

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Mercedes could have a brand-new upgraded engine for the power-dependent circuit. Bottas told Sky Sports: “It’s a different grand prix, different kind of tyres and it’s positive we’re going to have the new engine, which we would have needed [in Canada] to win the race.

“Hopefully we can have some other upgrades as well on the car because every team is developing now race by race and the competition is getting tougher. We came [to Canada] knowing that in theory it would be a good track for us. We came with the old engine thinking there’s a very good chance we were going to be fighting for the win.

“But it wasn’t the case and it shows how tough the development race is now and we need to keep improving.

“We are definitely not the favourites for the French Grand Prix, that’s a fact.”

2018 F1 French Grand Prix

When: Sunday 24 June
Race start time: 3.10pm
Where: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
Circuit distance: 5.842km (3.630 miles)
Circuit guide: f1.com

French GP schedule: practice, qualifying and race

When are the French GP practice sessions?

Practice one takes place on Friday at 11am (UK time) and practice two is at 3pm. Saturday’s practice three session starts at midday.

When is qualifying?

Qualifying for the French GP starts at 3pm on Saturday.

When does the French GP start?

Sunday’s race starts at 3.10pm.

How to watch the F1 French GP

Sky Sports F1 will bring live coverage from the practice sessions, qualifying and the race at Circuit Paul Ricard. Channel 4 will show highlights from qualifying and the race.

French GP on Sky Sports

Friday 22 June