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Friday favourite: The “perfect” F1 test venue with a little bit of “magic”
Franck Montagny expressed his love for the Jerez circuit in southern Spain, calling it his favorite track due to its unique characteristics and his positive testing experiences there between 2002 and 2007. Despite never racing competitively at Jerez, he accumulated nearly 5,000 laps at the circuit for Renault, Toyota, and Force India, praising its compatibility with the Renault car during his time at the team. Jerez, known for its bumpy surface and lack of amenities, was a magic track for Montagny, offering an ideal environment for F1 testing with its medium and high-speed corners. He fondly recalls the challenging double-left at Turns 7 and 8 as his favorite part of the circuit, highlighted by its history and technical demands. Montagny’s initial visit to Jerez in 2002 left a lasting impression, shaping his special connection to the track and reigniting his interest in Formula 1 after a period of uncertainty. Despite his initial skepticism about the opportunities arising from his test outings at Jerez, Montagny’s experiences at the circuit ultimately reignited his passion for F1 and paved the way for his future endeavors in motorsport.