French Grand Prix confirmed for 2018

Christian Estrosi, the president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, confirmed during a press conference held this afternoon in Paris that the French Grand Prix will make its return in 2018 on the Paul-Côte d'Azur circuit. Ricard (Var). This will be the first time that the F1 will return to France since 2008 when she went to Magny-Cours (Nièvre).

“I can definitively confirm the return of the French Grand Prix in the summer of 2018 at Paul-Ricard. It’s a big return after a ten-year absence where F1 came for the last time in 2008 at Magny-Cours (Nièvre).”, declared Christian Estrosi during the press conference held this afternoon in Paris.

“It’s a public responsibility. It’s useful for the region. It is this circuit which has made the most efforts in recent years to be at the international level. Since 2012, there have been 80 million euros invested in this avenue. An additional two million euros will be invested in the renovation of the track. An edition worth 30 million euros (including 21 million euros from FOM) could bring in 65 million euros, including 16 million euros in direct revenue, and create 500 sustainable jobs. We hope to welcome more than 65 spectators after seeing the Bol d’Or attract 000 people. The region is the second largest in France in terms of tourism and therefore has a good reception capacity”, specified the president of the PACA region.

France has hosted a Grand Prix 58 times. The Paul-Ricard circuit has not been included on the F1 calendar since 1990. Alain Prost won ahead of Ivan Capelli and Ayrton Senna.

“This is great news for France and its ability to organize international events, added Jean Todt in a recorded video. As president of the FIA, I must remain impartial but I cannot hide my satisfaction at seeing F1 return to my native country. »

“I’m obviously very happy to be here today, declared Nicolas Deschaux, president of the FFSA. We carried out a rescue operation for the French GP from 2004, but competition and the economy were too important parameters. We worked on the project of a French GP in Paris before focusing on Paul-Ricard. »

“This helps strengthen France’s status as a leading country in motorsport which also has the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Tour de Corsica in WRC. We have French drivers and a French team in F1 again.”, added Nicolas Deschaux.