French GP: 5 big questions that need answers at Paul Ricard

Formula 1 is back in France this weekend as Circuit Paul Ricard plays host to round 12 of the world championship.

The 2022 season is flying by, with the second half of the campaign beginning here in the south of France, and it’s going to be another crucial race in terms of the championship with Ferrari getting back to winning ways in the last two Grands Prix at Silverstone and Austria respectively.

There are, as ever, some big questions that need answers this weekend, then, so let’s delve into those now…

Can Ferrari keep it going?

Two wins in a row for Ferrari has breathed new-life into their belief they can still win the titles on offer this year, though they are obviously still behind Red Bull and Max Verstappen.

The car is clearly still very quick, but Austria again showed that it can be fragile with Carlos Sainz’s fiery retirement in mind.

The Scuderia will hope that the heat of this weekend’s French GP does not impact their cars, then, but perhaps only time will tell there.

How will AlphaTauri’s upgrades perform?

Both Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly have sounded positive about the aero upgrades that the AlphaTauri team are bringing to France this weekend, and so it’ll be interesting seeing how they fare here at Paul Ricard.

Austria was pretty forgettable for them but both drivers have said on Thursday that the upgrades could be worth up to three or four tenths a lap, which might allow them to close the gap to the midfield.

Time will tell just how far up the field they can get.

Will Mercedes be in the fight?

This track and the temperatures here could well play into Mercedes’ hands, as they bid to get right in the mix for a race victory.

They have shown improved pace in recent races at both Silverstone and Austria, and