Red Bull to return to US in 2018

Red Bull is adding a new race location to its 2018 lineup: Cannes France, April 21 and 22. Red Bull said this is the first time the sport has included a race in France. “With French pilots in both the Master Class and the Challenger Class—including the first woman to compete in the series, Mélanie Astles—the 370kmh action over the Riviera will undoubtedly mark one of the high points of the season,” the company announced.

Red Bull Air Race World Championship Master Class French pilots Mikaël Brageot and François Le Vot finished the 2017 season with 24 and nine points, respectively. Astles competes in the Challenger Class, which debuted in 2014 to develop the skills of the next generation of Red Bull racers. Pilots must fly through an aerial race track at high speeds and low altitudes where hundredths of seconds matter and penalties, such as pulling too many Gs or clipping a pylon, can move a contender to last place.

The races will make stops in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 2 and 3; Cannes April 21 and 22; another European location still to be determined May 26 and 27; Budapest, Hungary, June 23 and 24; a yet-to-be announced location in Asia Aug. 4 and 5; Kazan, Russia, Aug. 25 and 26; and Indianapolis Oct. 6 and 7. The season finale race will take place in Asia in November, but the exact location and date are still to be released.