Location | Magny-Cours, France |
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Time zone | GMT +1 (DST: +2) |
Coordinates | 46°51′47.67″N 3°9′51.22″E / 46.8632417°N 3.1642278°ECoordinates: 46°51′47.67″N 3°9′51.22″E / 46.8632417°N 3.1642278°E |
Major events | F1, GP2, WSBK, WTCC, Superleague Formula |
Grand Prix Circuit | |
Length | 4.412 km (2.741 mi) |
Turns | 17 |
Lap record | 1:15.377 ( Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004) |
National Circuit | |
Length | 2.684 km (1.668 mi) |
Turns | 12 |
Club Circuit | |
Length | 1.727 km (1.073 mi) |
Turns | 11 |
Website | www |
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, which has a capacity of 90,000, is a motor racing circuit located in central France, near the towns of Magny-Cours and Nevers, some 250 km (160 miles) from Paris.
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). In 1992 it hosted the French motorcycle Grand Prix.
Magny-Cours has hosted several international championships, like the World Sportscar Championship, World Touring Car Championship, FIA GT Championship, World Series by Renault, Formula 3 Euroseries and Superbike World Championship. Also, the FFSA GT Championship has visited the circuit since 1997.
Usually 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. However, in the 1980s the track fell into disrepair and was not used for international motor racing until it was purchased by the Regional Conseil de la Nièvre.
In the 1990s the Ligier (and, after Ligier was bought, Prost) Formula One team was based at the circuit and did much of its testing at Magny-Cours. It had hosted the French Formula One Grand Prix since 1991, and the Bol d'Or since 2000. The circuit was re-designed in 2003 and used for a wide range of events include various sports and commercial use.