Used to be a regular, from 1998 to 2018 but hadn't been since. A lot has changed - at the circuit itself and around.
The bad:
You used to be able to buy a ticket at the gate. Fat chance of that now.
The wholly ineffective security on the gate and the closure of the Terre Rouge entry is just annoying. Can't take beers in with you any more, and it's 8 Euros a pint inside.
*Massive* crowds around the essses at the start.
Friday's a bit dull now. I can remember the days when people would line up their cars at Indianapolis and Hunaudieres, and you could wander around with a beer meeting fellow car nuts. Now the only people you see on the circuit are cyclists and...joggers?!
The good:
Whatever you think about BoP etc, the hypercars look awesome (especially the Valkyrie) and they sound decent was well - rumbling Caddy v screaming Aston.
Watching at the Esses and Tertre Rouge at 2am is still mind-blowing. Nothing else in motorsport comes close.
Food on offer at Hunaudieres has improved, even if getting there has become trickier!
A big thank you to Zak Brown who cheerfully did a selfie with my lad after we bumped into him and his guests.