F1 Eyes French Comeback: New Race Plans Emerging Soon
Jun.29 - It would "make sense" if Formula 1 could return to France, the sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali admits.
Despite its deep motor racing history, and being the origin of the term 'grand prix' and the home of the FIA, the country fell off the race calendar amid financial problems for the Paul Ricard race organisers after 2022.
However, moves are afoot to organise a new French GP, either at Paul Ricard again or even on the streets of Nice.
L'Equipe correspondent Frederic Ferret interviewed Domenicali ahead of the Austrian GP this weekend and said the F1 CEO "absolutely does not want to close the doors to any proposals".
However, Ferret admits the chances for now are "very slim", even if one possibility could be an annual race alternation between Nice and nearby Monaco.
"If, at some point, the president of the Republic and Prince Albert of Monaco say: 'There can be an agreement', then why not?" Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice and former French GP promoter at Paul Ricard, said recently.
And during Ferret's interview with the F1 CEO, Domenicali admitted: "F1 and France make sense together."
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If not Nice, a temporary circuit in the Paris area (or another big city) is effectively the only chance for a French GP return, but most certainly not Circuit Paul Ricard in any case because of its isolated location & F1's general trend to move away from such circuits.
Otherwise, Circuit Paul Ricard wouldn't have been dropped in the first place if its very secluded location were irrelevant or FOM truly desired it.
I have always considered it an injustice that there is no Grand Prix in the country that gave birth to motor racing!
If Paul Ricard can't hold the event, I think Le Mans would be a great circuit for a Grand Prix! A little bit like a scaled down Nurburgring! That would be great for motor racing enthusiasts.
Although I suppose Nice would be more fitting for Liberty, as it would provide more opportunities for the so-called "celebrities" to be a legend in their own lunchtime, just like Lost Vegas.
Germany soon to power 40% of the grid , two suitable tracks, but no race, Somethings wrong