Back in France: Thunder, Hail, Flammkuchen – and Plenty of Horsepower

Our return to France had it all—a bit of dramatic weather, a tame fox, cold showers in the dark, magnificent cars, and roads full of character. And plenty of conversations that will linger long after the tires have cooled down.

Dijon-Prenois: When the Sky (Almost) Plays Along

For many motorsport fans, Dijon is inseparably linked to one of Formula 1's most legendary moments. For us, the name took on a very different meaning this time around.

We stayed at a small private estate right next to the circuit – the epitome of French country living. In the evenings, a glass of wine with cassis in hand, and a tame fox that the estate owners have been looking after for quite a while now, who casually dropped by every evening and insisted on being hand-fed croissants and chicken by us. Exactly the kind of moments you love this job for.

Then a storm rolled in that meant business: heavy rain, strong winds and fat hailstones. The power at the estate went out promptly – for us and the entire area around the circuit. Make-up the next morning was done by phone light, and I was honestly grateful that there was at least still warm water for a shower. As for the hail itself, we got lucky – and had a solid safety net: thanks to our cooperation with the circuit, we would have had safe shelter ready for our participants at any time, had the hail actually swept across the paddock. In the end, it stayed at a few wet, nerve-wracking moments rather than any real damage.

The next morning: bright blue skies, as if nothing had happened. And a trackday that felt like a private trackday among friends – a small, fine group, genuinely cool cars, a relaxed atmosphere. I even got to ride along in a BMW M3 myself, to get to know the track from the front row. A privilege I don't get every day.

Anneau du Rhin: A Picture-Book Day – with a Small Water Intermezzo

If Dijon was the story with the thrills, then Anneau du Rhin was the completely smooth, well-rounded day. Fantastic participants, some truly spectacular cars, and great vibes in the paddock all day long.

We stayed right at the circuit – in the track's own bungalows, small living containers right next to registration. Practical, but not entirely without surprises: in the morning there was no water anywhere, not even in the restrooms. That's just part of being on the road too – and in hindsight, more of an amusing footnote than a real problem.

Anneau du Rhin itself is a special circuit: once a hunting estate in the middle of the forest, today a racetrack that brings together everything that makes driving fun – long straights, bold corners and technically demanding sections. There were only two short red-flag phases the entire day, otherwise it was simply lap after lap without interruption. Lunch brought flammkuchen and relaxed get-togethers in front of our box, filled with petrolhead talk.

In short: our return to France had it all – a bit of weather drama, a tame fox, cold showers in the dark, fantastic cars and circuits full of character. And countless conversations that will keep echoing long after the tyres have cooled down.

Merci, Dijon & ADR!