Bugatti Bolide Owners Conquer Circuit Paul Ricard: Unleashing Hyper Sports Excellence
Bugatti’s rich racing heritage entered a new chapter at Circuit Paul Ricard. The inaugural Bolide¹ customer drive event brought owners face-to-face with the unrelenting power and precision of their newly delivered hypersports cars, marking a significant milestone on one of the world’s most iconic circuits.
This ‘Feeling The Track’ experience went beyond a mere inaugural drive. It continued a legacy forged a century ago when Bugatti dominated motorsport through relentless triumphs. Each victory raised the bar for performance and innovation. Bolide owners at Circuit Paul Ricard honoured that past, again testing the boundaries of possibility on the track.
Powered by the definitive edition of Bugatti’s iconic W16 engine, the Bolide embodies the marque’s vision for extreme performance while preserving the accessibility and quality that define Bugatti. The ‘Feeling The Track’ event invited owners to explore this capability in person—just as Bugatti once did when it reigned supreme in racing.
Circuit Paul Ricard, formerly home to the French Grand Prix, provided the perfect arena for the Bolide’s prowess. Its sweeping corners and high-speed straights offered an ideal proving ground for a machine built to redefine performance limits. Every step led to this pinnacle moment on the track, from developing a bespoke ‘flight case’—inspired by elite motorsport logistics—to personal seat fittings in Molsheim.
Before unleashing their Bolide on full-track sessions, owners completed expert-led training to ensure they could confidently harness its capabilities. Each driver worked closely with a dedicated instructor to refine technique, starting with Porsche 911 GT3 RS models in the morning. After honing their skills, they transitioned to their own Bolide for the afternoon sessions.
The Bolide hypersports cars on track reflected their owners’ passion for Bugatti’s craftsmanship. Four unique customer cars showcased distinct specifications, featuring bold combinations like ‘Black Carbon’ and ‘Ruby’ with gold-painted rims, ‘Black Carbon’ and ‘Blue Carbon’, full ‘Nocturne’, and ‘Black Carbon’ paired with ‘Argent’. Every detail—from materials to bespoke design elements—testified to each owner’s individuality.
Throughout the day, Bugatti Pilote Officiels Bruno Spengler and Andy Wallace offered insights and guidance, helping drivers explore their cars' dynamic limits. In the afternoon driving sessions, owners put those skills into practice on a circuit renowned for hosting some of motorsport’s most significant races.
Owners took to the track in groups, improving lap times and pushing the Bolide to its performance peaks. Each run provided a fresh opportunity to tap into the Bugatti hypersports car’s capabilities. As drivers grew more comfortable, they shaved valuable seconds off their times, combining expert guidance with Circuit Paul Ricard’s demanding yet forgiving layout.
Adding to the day’s significance was the unveiling of the Bolide in a ‘Équipe Pur Sang’ livery. This design celebrated Bugatti’s motorsport pedigree, taking its name from the French phrase for ‘Thoroughbred Team’. The livery’s striking colours and performance cues paid homage to Ettore Bugatti’s race-winning machines, bringing the brand’s competitive spirit into the modern era at Le Castellet.
