French Grand Prix: Jacques Laffite's rant

" I do not believe it. » Asked for the needs of a video by the Journal du Center on the possibility of a return of Formula 1 at Magny-Cours, Jacques Laffite is categorical. For the former Formula 1 Grand Prix driver and commentator, the premier category cannot currently make its return to Nièvre. And that?s a mistake. “If there is no governmental or regional will, we cannot organize a Grand Prix. It would be a mistake to do so, because it would be a waste of money”, he explained. But " even if (at the time, Editor’s note) the General Council had to pay the deficit of the Grand Prix, it was an exceptional financial contribution for the region », details the former pilot to underline the importance of such an event.

To support his statements, the former TF1 commentator takes the example of the Canadian Grand Prix, which left the world championship calendar in 2009. “When Montreal lost F1, they calculated that it cost them $92 million. You have to have a little courage, you have to move forward. This is the role of the region and the State, when we have the possibility of having an event with 100.000 people, we have to move. It's not wasted money, you're pleasing the traders, and even, electorally speaking, it's not bad. » The last Formula 1 French Grand Prix took place at Magny-Cours, near Nevers, in 2008.