Lines, prices, new features: the Pau Grands Prix relaunched by the Pau Town Hall

We knew very little about the different competitions which will form the 2022 Grand Prix de Pau (May 6-8), but the Pau municipality shone with its silence. Still, the event had been absent since 2019, and François Bayrou hardly seemed concerned about his fate.

We had to wait until January 31 for the Mayor of the Béarnaise city to hold a press conference to confirm the return of the Modern Grand Prix, but also the Historic Grand Prix (May 20-22). Finally, officially, we will have to call it Pau Classic Grand Prix, in a clear desire to open up to other European countries, and across the Channel in particular.

“Pau is a city that has always projected its future beyond borders, declared the elected official. The Pau GP event takes up this idea. For a very large number of those who live in the Pau metropolitan area, the GP is part of the city's identity. »

The Pau Grand Prix, included in the Pau Motors Festival to highlight two weeks of festivities focused on mobility, will rely on new energies, thanks to the FIA ​​ETCR (Electric Touring Car World Cup), demonstrations of the 'ERA (Electric Racing Academy) as well as a village highlighting ecological technologies in the paddock (Moto-E, Mission H24, Extreme E, Formula E, ETRC truck, etc.).

“We face vital challenges linked to climate change, dependent on the decline of carbon in the atmosphere, continues François Bayrou. We need to find high-level human and sporting activities that emit much less greenhouse gases.

There are therefore two challenges, local heritage and decarbonization. We have chosen to explore ways of organizing the Grand Prix which could make it possible to take a decisive and symbolic step towards decarbonization. We have chosen to work with all those who are thinking, researching and moving forward with fuels that emit less greenhouse gases. »

Also present in Pau, François Ribeiro, the Director of Eurosport Events, promoter of the WTCR (Touring Car World Cup), was enthusiastic about the idea of ​​returning to Béarn, where the WTCC brought the streets of the 2,76 km circuit to life between 2007 and 2009.

“I am delighted to come to Pau with two sets. At Eurosport Events, we have always been hypersensitive to the protection of heritage, and Pau is part of the heritage of world motorsport. Pau is one of the places that must be defended, it is one of the most beautiful routes, one of the most demanding, that must be preserved. Efforts had to be made to try to revive this event from above. »

As previously announced, the Euroformula Open will return to Pau, as well as the French FFSA F4 Championship, with completely low-carbon fuel. The local guarantee will be provided by the Adour-Océan Cup and the Twin'Cup. “We wanted single-seater grids because this discipline has made the history of Pau, specifies Joël Do Vale, President of ASAC Basco-Béarnais, organizer of the event. As for the Adour-Océan Cup, it's unmissable for local drivers, and it puts on a show! »

On the side of the Historic Pau Grand Prix, HVM Racing will be in action as was already the case before the coronavirus. The English association HGPCA will come with F1 before 1966. A unique platform, the result of a collaboration between HVM and HSCC, will bring together F1, F2 and even F5000s. Also essential, the F3 and F. Renault Classic will be played in the Pau traps, as well as Formula Junior, Formula Ford Historic.

The GT deposit will be provided by the Ferdinand Cup (reserved for Porsche) as well as the history Endurance Pre-76 GT.

What are the prices for attending the GPs?
The Moderne price list increases significantly compared to 2019. Allow 25 euros to attend the Friday trials (15 euros for young people aged 14 to 18), 45 euros for the day of Saturday or Sunday. For comparison, the Sunday place was worth 40 euros in 2019.

If you do not want to have a place in the stands, prices range from 25 to 30 euros. The package for three days is 65 euros and 85 euros with grandstand access.

In return, access will be free for children under 14 years old. Pre-sale prices are valid until May 4 for the Grand Prix de Pau and May 19 for the Classic. An increase of 4 euros/day and 6 euros for the weekend will be applied at the counter.