Formula One returns to France after 10-year absence

Record ID: 75841

  • Title: Formula One returns to France after 10-year absence
  • Date: 5th December 2016
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (DECEMBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) PEOPLE GATHERED AHEAD OF NEWS CONFERENCE REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D'AZUR REGION, CHRISTIAN ESTROSI, WALKING ONTO STAGE JOURNALIST RECORDING NEWS CONFERENCE ON PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (FRENCH) REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D'AZUR REGION, CHRISTIAN ESTROSI, SAYING: "Today, I can announce clearly, firmly, definitively, ladies and gentlemen, the return of French Formula One Grand Prix starting in the summer of 2018 in France in Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) in the Var (French department) at the Circuit Paul Ricard." NEWS CONFERENCE BEING RECORDED, ESTROSI ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (FRENCH) REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D'AZUR REGION, CHRISTIAN ESTROSI, SAYING: "When we know how popular motor sport is in our country, when we also know that it's an ambassador and supporter of innovation and creation, research, development, to thriving and to balancing economical and social cohesion, losing the grand prix left a real scar on the country." ESTROSI ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (FRENCH) REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D'AZUR REGION, CHRISTIAN ESTROSI, SAYING: "France's Grand Prix will return in the summer of 2018 in our country. From now on, on a French map, on the planet, there is once again a mark, a tricolour flag reading Formula One Grand Prix." ESTROSI ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE 10 FORMER FRENCH FORMULA ONE DRIVER, JACQUES LAFFITE, BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (FRENCH) FORMER FRENCH FORMULA ONE DRIVER, JACQUES LAFFITE, SAYING: "I won a lot of races on this circuit, in Turismo, in F3, in Renault formula. Unfortunately, I never won Formula One, but I've taken part in several Grand Prix on the Paul Ricard (circuit). But I can only be delighted because, as I always say, it will help the automobile sector in France, manufacturers, all motor lovers, who have been waiting for the past decade to have a Grand Prix, and they'll get one." FRENCH FORMULA DRIVER AND RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM MEMBER, PIERRE GASLY, BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (FRENCH) FRENCH FORMULA DRIVER AND RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM MEMBER, PIERRE GASLY, SAYING: "We are working hard to get into it. The aim will be to take part as soon as possible, and we hope to participate in 2018. It's another motivation, because it will be a magical moment for a French driver to be able to drive in France, in F1. I'll do my best to participate." VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF AUTOMOBILE FRENCH CLUB
  • Embargoed: 20th December 2016 17:14
  • Keywords: Formula One racing motor Grand Prix 2018 Circuit Paul Ricard Christian Estrosi Le Mans
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE
  • City: PARIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015BLZGOV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The French Formula One Grand Prix will return in 2018 after a 10-year absence with the race scheduled to take place at the Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France, regional politician Christian Estrosi said on Monday (December 5) at the automobile French club in Paris.
    Named after the local pastis alcohol magnate who financed it, and also known as Le Castellet, the track last hosted a grand prix in 1990. The country's most recent Formula One race was at Magny-Cours, in central France, in 2008.
    France hosted the first recognised grand prix near Le Mans in 1906, and was also part of the first world championship season in 1950 with a race at Reims.
    "When we know how popular motor sport is in our country, when we also know that it's an ambassador and supporter of innovation and creation, research, development, to thriving and to balancing economical and social cohesion, losing the grand prix left a real scar on the country," Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) Regional President Estrosi said.
    The five-year deal was agreed with the PACA region in association with the city of Toulon, department of Var and the French motorsport association (FFSA).
    Ex-mayor of Nice and former car and motorcycle racer who finished fourth in the 1978 French 500cc Grand Prix at Nogaro, Estrosi, declined to say how much it had cost to bring back motor racing's elite competition, but said the contract was in the normal price range for a grand prix in Europe.
    "From now on, on a French map, on the planet, there is once again a mark, a tricolour flag reading Formula One Grand Prix," Estrosi said.
    Germany has been axed from the 2017 calendar for financial reasons, despite the country having world champions in dominant Mercedes, but Hockenheim still has a contract to host the loss-making race in 2018.
    Le Castellet, which features the long Mistral straight, has been fully renovated and is now owned by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone's family trust.
    France currently has two drivers on the starting grid, Romain Grosjean and Esteban Ocon, while French manufacturer Renault has its own team and provides engines to former champions Red Bull and Toro Rosso.
    Young Formula driver and Red Bull junior team member Pierre Gasly, who was present at the news conference, said his team would work hard to participate in the French Grand Prix.
    "We are working hard to get into it. The aim will be to take part as soon as possible, and we hope to participate in 2018. It's another motivation, because it will be a magical moment for a French driver to be able to drive in France, in F1. I'll do my best to participate," he told reporters.
    The showcase Monaco Grand Prix, a few hours' drive from Le Castellet, has been a fixture on the calendar since 1950 and the closest thing to a home race for French drivers in recent years.
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