The French GP more difficult to postpone than the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

The postponement of 24 Hours of Le Mans in mid-September when they were to take place on the weekend of June 13-14, raises the question of the good performance of the French Grand Prix scheduled two weeks later from June 26 to 28. 

Contacted by telephone in England where he is confined, Eric Boullier, general director of the GIP Grand Prix de France, affirms that he is following the evolution of the situation as closely as possible with the FOM and the other promoters but that he is “ impossible to compare the world championship F1 to a unique event like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Olympic Games, Euro football or Roland Garros because it has 22 events over the year with 22 different promoters! »

« We are on standby because the top priority is safety, continues the Mayennais. FOM would like the season to resume in Baku (the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is ​​scheduled for June 5 to 7, Editor’s note), but the situation is such that no one plans 3 months in advance. What is certain is that there will be, whatever happens, a strong impact on ticket sales. 

Everyone is well aware that people have other concerns these days than attending a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and that they have other things to think about than buying tickets for Paul Ricard or something else. 

However, regarding the French GP, let them at least know that there is no risk taking if they want to do it. What I would like to say to our customers is that we have the “comfort” of being insured and that in the worst case scenario they will be fully reimbursed. »

The worst is not being considered at the moment even though it is obvious that, if necessary, a postponement into the summer season would be complicated to schedule due to the high occupancy rate of hotels in high season on the Côte d'Azur . The problem will arise even more acutely in Zandvoort (Netherlands), whose inevitable postponement could very quickly turn into outright cancellation. 

We are still a long way from such fear at the Circuit Paul Ricard which could just as easily become the opening round of the championship. “ Wait and see » as concludes Boullier, who works non-stop for the French GP from his base in Oxford.