Lewis Hamilton headed up a one-two finish for Mercedes in opening practice for the French Grand Prix on Friday as Formula 1 made its long-awaited official return to Paul Ricard.
Full results from Free Practice 1 for the French Grand Prix at Circuit Paul Ricard, round eight of the 2018 Formula 1 season. 2018 Formula 1 French Grand Prix - Free Practice 1 Results
Recapping all of the additional news and notes from Thursday at Paul Ricard in build-up to the French Grand Prix, Crash.net F1 Editor Luke Smith brings you his paddock notebook.
Carlos Sainz Jr. doubts Red Bull's newly-announced engine deal with Honda for 2019 will have any impact on his future, with the team still retaining an option on the Spaniard's services for next season.
Daniel Ricciardo has responded to reports of an offer from McLaren to join for the 2019 Formula 1 season by saying the team is "probably" one that would be interested in signing him.
Formula 1 teams have urged organisers to take careful considerations over the future race calendar if it is expanded from the current 21-round schedule.
Despite being one of the few Formula 1 drivers with a recent record at Paul Ricard, Lance Stroll says the home of the French Grand Prix isn’t a circuit he’s not relishing a return to.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says he has unwavering faith in his squad’s capabilities of overcoming its recent performance dip given its previous record but warns of an added challenge at the French Grand Prix.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says an engineering decision became central to its switch to Honda engines and feels it was “pretty clear cut in the end”.
Pirelli has confirmed its tyre choices for the French Grand Prix's Formula 1 return in June, offering teams the Soft, Supersoft and Ultrasoft compounds for the Paul Ricard weekend.
Renault has been named as an official partner for the returning French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard this coming June as part of the manufacturer's 120th anniversary celebrations.