F. Fillon wants to save the French F1 GP

François Fillon, on April 22, received the 2009 Man of the Year prize, awarded by the Journal de l'Automobile. A great motorsport fan, the Prime Minister was rewarded for his involvement in the policy of supporting the automobile industry.

But the elected official from Sarthe knows that he can still do much more, particularly for motorsport. If he admits to having allowed the 24 Hours of Le Mans to continue, François Fillon wishes to bring back the F1 in France, France having not had an F1 Grand Prix since 2008.

« My assessment regarding motorsport is quite mixed, confides the Prime Minister. I claim to have participated, with many others, in saving the 24 Hours of Le Mans, threatened, at the time, by the unsporting behavior of the International Motor Sport Federation; it was that of Mr. Ballestre, not that of Jean Todt. And also perhaps by the fact that all the organizers of this magnificent event had rested a little on their success. »

However, François Fillon recognizes that the burning issue of the French Grand Prix, which all enthusiasts want to see revived, is not to be classified in the column of successes. “ I must admit that I have not succeeded – at least, not yet? to bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix back to France. This is a failure for me. A failure on which I have not said my last word. » The whole of motorsport in France also wants it.