We hear that the French Grand Prix might be back on the F1 agenda in the years ahead. It is not yet clear where such a race could be held but it seems that Bernie Ecclestone has been discussing possibilities with Claude Michy, a sports promoter, who has enjoyed much success with the motorcycle Grand Prix de France, which is held at Le Mans. This does not mean that an F1 event would be held at the same track, but rather that Michy believes he can create a cost-effective event somewhere in France.
Michy was a racer himself, competing in French Formula Renault in 1973, but he soon moved to event promotion and the management, notably of Patrick Tambay. He went on to become an event organiser of the Paris Dakar Rally for 10 years before starting his own business. His first major sporting event was the European Boxing Championship but he quickly moved on to become the promoter of the French motorcycle Grand Prix in 1994 and also the Trophee Andros ice racing events at the Stade de France and Super-Besse. Since 2005 he has been the president of the Clermont Foot Auvergne 63 soccer team.
It remains to be seen whether a cost-effective solution can be found for France, but at least there are some signs of life in a country where its motorsport heritage has been largely forgotten.
Another Grand Prix? Would this come at the cost of another popular grand prix Joe? Or would it be added to the ever increasing number of grands prix throughout the world?
Imagine though, the possibilty of and F1 race held at Le Mans? How cool would it be to see F1 cars travelling along the Mulsanne straight at their max speeds?
Killing off Valencia, Turkey, Bahrain, Korea and one of Malaysia or China leaves a nice window for Austin, Rome, France, India, and Russia (if it ever gets off the ground)…
[...] post-Grand Prix “rate the race” polls.In the meantime, here’s the round-up:LinksSome hope for France? (Joe Saward)“The French Grand Prix might be back on the F1 agenda in the years ahead. It is not yet clear [...]
I think the idea of a Grand Prix back in France is fanciful at best, taking into account the current economic problems facing the country/general public.
During the “good” times the race at Magny Cours was half empty. Imagine how many people would show up these days?
Maybe they could make the infield into a holding facility for soon to be deported migrants to give the impression the race is a sell-out.
Joking of course…….
Clermont Ferrand or Ricard with the long Mistral straight…..
There should be a race in France, afterall France is where motor racing started. Forgive my ignorance, but what is wrong with Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours?
Pinball,
It is in the middle of nowhere, not enough hotels, restaurants etc. It does nothing for the region and cannot make a profit.
Apart from that it is fine…
They’ve already run a Grand Prix at Le Mans. 1967. Won by Jack Brabham. Apparently it was hugely unpopular as a Grand Prix circuit.
Personally I’d like to see Paul Ricard revived for racing, but I don’t think there’s the necessary infrastructure there to deal with the spectators (neither in terms of facilities within the circuit nor access without).
Realistically it needs to be nearer to the mass of fans, and surely that has to be in the northern part of France, around Paris or thereabouts, no?
@ Aneesh,
I cannot see F1 happening at Le Mans without them destroying the great circuit in some way. For that reason alone, I hope F1 never even touches Le Mans
Does Bernie still own Paul Ricard? Wasn’t there a plan to turn that into a permanent test circuit for F1, for all the testing they don’t do anymore?
@Pinball,
To back up what Joe said my wife went to Magny-Cours and although she enjoed the race there was nothing outside of the circuit. Additionally as a vegetarian she had to live on chips for the weekend. By contrast trips to other European GPs have resulted in zero issues on either front.
I’m sure if Bernie had his way we’d have a Paris GP…
joe , I think that was a very kind comment about magny-cours
I went once …never again … and I can drive there from home in 3 hours
it would make a nice industrial estate though
[...] Some hope for France? (Joe Saward) [...]
Say what you like about Paul Ricard, at least it’s nowhere near Northampton*…
(*and i grew up there)
Magny Cours I mean…
The Grand Prix at Le Mans was held on the short Bugatti Circuit, which leaves the main circuit at the Esses and rejoins around the Ford Chicane. See http://www.etracksonline.co.uk/Europe/France/lemans.html.
Of course there should be a French GP. Magny Cours was not successful because it is in the middle of nowhere. Somewhere nearer centres of population would draw good crowds, recession or not.
Bernie does own Le Castellet (Paul Ricard) plus the neighbouring hotel and has done a wonderful job tidying it up from when I was testing an F2 Ralt Euro Hill Climb car there in the mid 1990′s, when it was a total tip. There was so much truck rubber and split diesel down, that it was un-driveable in the wet.
If it were feasible to hold a GP there, I am sure Bernie would do it. However there are three major stumbling blocks. I don’t think the pit/garage area is big enough for GP, although it may have improved in the 2 or 3 years since I was last there. I don’t think there are anything like enough grandstands or corporate entertainment accomodation. Finally access is poor. Toulon is permanently dug up and the N8 main road access from either the west (Marseille) and south (Toulon) is narrow, twisty and dangerous. I am fairly sure it was on this road that Frank Williams has his accident. The access from the east is very poor on narrow yellow roads and there is no access at all from the north, with the Massif de la Sainte Baume in the way. There is a good runway on the small airport which can take large corporate jets up to a G550 at least and probably STOL airliners.
Wilson
why not have a street race through paris,like monaco
Someone should at lest get rid of one of the Spain, since it is not necessary to have two GP in Spain. Make room for more GP.
[...] Joe Saward, em um pequeno post, especula sobre a possibilidade da volta do GP da França em 2012, já que Bernie Ecclestone tem discutido com Claude Michy, um conhecido promotor de esportes francês, responsável por um dos eventos de Le Mans. O último GP da França foi realizado na pista de Magny-Cours em 2008 e foi vencido pelo brasileiro Felipe Massa. [...]
Useful artical.Thanks