Many drivers lament the presence of the chicane that splits Paul Ricard's long Mistral straight, but the venue still delivers big numbers when it comes to top speed.
Maximum velocity is obviously dependent on aerodynamic load as well as outright power, but it was perhaps still surprising to see Daniel Ricciardo Renault clock in with the best top speed.
The Aussie's 342.5 km/h recorded by the speed trap nicely supports the French manufacturer's claimed improvements of its most recent specification power unit.
It was but a small edge however for the Renault-powered car as three Ferrari-equipped drivers - Kimi Raikkonen, Antonio Giovinazzi and Sebastian Vettel - were hot on Ricciardo's heels.
French Grand Prix poleman Lewis Hamilton rode the Mistral straight at 338.6 km/h but we know the Mercedes W10 is in a league of its own in Paul Ricard's third six-corner winding sector.
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Last…
Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…
Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the United…
Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…