Hamilton: Paul Ricard worse French GP venue than Magny-Cours

The French GP will return after a nine-year absence when it takes place at Paul Ricard on June 24 next year.

In an interview for Canal+ Sport's season review show Hamilton was asked for his thoughts on the 5.8km Ricard track in Le Casellet, and said he preferred the previous French GP venue.

"Honestly I don't like it, just to be straight with you," said Hamilton. "I loved it when we used to have the grand prix in Magny-Cours.

"[Paul Ricard] is in a beautiful place, but the track, when I say I don't like it, it's not as great as Magny-Cours.

"I think the most important thing is that we do have a grand prix back in France because it's an important part of Europe, it's an important part of the European tour.

"France has so many beautiful, beautiful circuits - Le Mans, for example - and for some reason we don't have it at the most beautiful track.

"It doesn't register for me."

Hamilton drove his Mercedes W08 at Paul Ricard in September as part of Pirelli's tyre test programme, but has never raced at the track.

"I'm sure it will be an amazing weekend," he added.

"Maybe we will have the best race of the whole season there."

Paul Ricard was built in 1970 and hosted the French GP 14 times between 1971 and '90, before Magny-Cours became the permanent home until its final GP in 2008.

Reims, Rouen, Clermont-Ferrand, Le Mans and Dijon have all hosted the French GP.