The Paul Ricard has been fully redone when Bernie Ecclestone bought it in 1999. The goal was to make the most sophisticated track in the world in terms of security, hence the run-off space with blue and red stripes. These stripes are made of special material that slow down cars running on them. The blue slows you down, the red stops you and can damage your tires.
The track reopened to the public only in 1998. Superb !
