Circuit info
Rouen-Les-Essarts
We don't have our own real GPS-telemetry-based 3D model for this circuit (typically a pre-2023 or discontinued venue). The outline below is a freely usable, hand-drawn circuit diagram.This layout was in use during: 1957,1962,1964,1968.Circuit diagram: ROY Jules (julesr0y) (CC BY 4.0). source & licenseOther known layouts at this circuit: 1957,1962,1964,1968 · 1952Interesting facts
Rouen-Les-Essarts opened on 30 July 1950 near Orival and was regarded on opening as 'one of Europe's finest circuits,' with modern pits, a wide track and proper grandstands. The public-road circuit's signature feature was the cobbled Nouveau Monde hairpin at its southern tip, from where the track climbed through wooded hillside from 56 metres to over 149 metres, on gradients as steep as 9%, up to the Gresil section. The lap length changed repeatedly over the years: 5.1 km from 1950 to 1954, then the most famous configuration, 6.542 km, from 1955 to 1971, before motorway construction shortened it to 5.543 km from 1972 onward. The circuit hosted the French Grand Prix five times between 1952 and 1968; at the 1968 race, Jo Schlesser was killed in a crash at the fast, downhill Six Frères corner, which was fitted with a chicane afterward and renamed Des Roches. Besides Formula 1, the track regularly held Formula 2 races until 1978, French motorcycle Grands Prix (1953, 1965), and a round of the Sidecar World Championship (1953). Bringing the public-road circuit up to modern safety standards became increasingly impractical, so it closed for good in 1994; the cobbled hairpin has since been paved over, but the basic layout can still be driven on open roads today. You'll find it in Rouen, France. On the calendar since 1952, this circuit has hosted 5 races, the latest in 1968. Alberto Ascari took the inaugural win here in 1952. Jacky Ickx won here most recently, in 1968. The most successful driver at this circuit is Dan Gurney, with 2 wins. Ferrari is the dominant constructor at this circuit, with 2 wins.