Joint interview Jean Alesi – Nicolas Deschaux: “F1 needs us, the ball is in our politicians’ court”

Good morning gentlemen, thank you for welcoming us to this collegiate office from where you pilot the Paul-Ricard Circuit. Nicolas, what did the Castellet circuit represent for you before you took up your post?

Nicolas Deschaux: The historical and heritage dimension of the circuit has always spoken to me. Paul-Ricard is a large part of the imagination F1 French with, in my case more specifically, the more recent history of reconstruction. The first stones were laid in 2011/2012 with François Fillon, then Prime Minister, after various projects had been abandoned in Paris. We had worked on the Paul-Ricard track which was initially abandoned, then successfully taken up again by Christian Estrosi (then president of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolis. Editor’s note) in 2015.

Jean, is it also this story that Nicolas Deschaux shares with the Circuit Paul-Ricard that convinced you that he was the man for the job?

Jean Alesi: One of the advantages of being part of the F1 world is that you get to work with people of a certain level. When I accepted the presidency of the circuit in February 2023, I found a well-oiled organization, teams in place. So, I didn't think I would have to go hunting for a new general manager. When Stéphane Clair (CEO from 2011 to June 2024. Ed.) decided that it was time for him to take on new challenges.