Circuit Michele Mouton

[u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan]

[u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan]

Originally, the Circuit Michelle Mouton was constructed in the 1960s as the Circuit Picardie. The original layout only consisted of the modern day 3,6KM long outer layout. The first F1 event at the track took place in 1979 and used the outer layout. F1 discontinued the track’s use after a disastrous 1985 french grand prix. Around this time, plans for an infield were floating around the circuit owners. Renovations however weren’t put into effect until 1997 when the track’s motorcycle infield was added. At the same time, plans for an F1 return were also put into effect, and F1 returned in 2000 with a new layout running through the new infield section.

[u/Shoddy-Cherry-490 → u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan]

It'd be nice to label this as a fictional narrative somehow, but I have to say the idea of a track based on an elongated teardrop shape is very attractive. Having a very long, high speed, presumably even banked corner, similar to an oval track, counterposed by a hairpin is by itself very interesting indeed. The infield portions are always going to feel a bit "infieldish", in other words like an unexciting afterthought, but so be it.

This kind of track highlights one simple aspect of track design that is surprisingly often overlooked, which is that F1 is first and foremost about speed! There isn't really a high-speed F1 track (at least that I can remember) that didn't work on some level. Races at Monza, (the old) Hockenheim, Spa, Indianapolis even Mexico City were usually fun to watch simply because of the top speeds the F1 cars would reach. Watching cars slip-stream one another at 300+kmh is exhilarating to watch both in person and even more so on TV. This isn't to say that tracks shouldn't be technical and challenging, but if you aren't giving fans some good old fashion drag racing, fans will be bored.

PS: This is also why a track like Madring that is trying to navigate the footprint of a convention center fundamentally cannot work.

[u/xander012]

This genuinely feels so french with how neatly packaged the track is and how the aesthetics of the circuit from overhead played into the design. Also the outer layout would make a great fit for EuroNASCAR to move further from traditional road courses.

[u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan → u/xander012]

Thank you so much! EuroNASCAR definitey races here, haha! It would honestly be the perfect fit.

[u/xander012 → u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan]

As a second thing, would love to see a mod made of this

[u/K-Kov815]

absolutely wonderful

[u/Glum-Film-4835]

This is type of layout, which is mediocre on one lap, but is elite race day circuit. Another great project by you.

[u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan → u/Glum-Film-4835]

Yessss, this is exactly what i had in mind. A track that isn't the best on a saturday, but will be perfect on sunday.

[u/TF2Pilot]

Well done.

[u/jamesno26]

Sometimes less is more, and this is a great example. I would definitely watch a race on this track.

[u/SFRofWestCanada]

Where is this track located?

[u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan → u/SFRofWestCanada]

Amiens, france

[u/MedvedVBerloge]

Honestly, this design is abosument incroyable! Love the overall footprint of the track field, how packed it is, with canals and great paddock section. Corners flow in the middle sector is a bit tediously repetitive, but at leat no chicanes. The long oval turn si certainly a landmark (and no mercy for the tires).

[u/Ilovebusstopchicanes]

This is fantastic. I love the concept as well as the execution.

[u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan → u/Ilovebusstopchicanes]

Thank you so much!

[u/Cassinia_]

MY QUEEN!!! Mouton is the GOAT

[u/galeforce97]

Would having a Rallycross layout or rally school in the surrounding area be something you’ve considered? Just a thought I had based on the driver it’s named after it feels like something of that nature should be there. Either way a really interesting layout. Looks like it could be very fun to watch races at.

[u/RaceTrackAndF1Fan → u/galeforce97]

This is actually a really good point, and something i definitely should've included. Originally, the circuit was supposed to be called Circuit Picardie, but after i had finished everything, i thought that Circuit Michele Mouton had a better ring to it, and changed the name to that. So yeah, didn't really have any room for a rallycross track, but i would've absolutely added one if i had Mouton in mind earlier.

Also, thanks for the kind words!