2026 Historic French Grand Prix: the first legends announced at Paul Ricard

Latest announcement to date, March 1, 2026, Jacques Villeneuve will have the privilege of taking the wheel of the Classic Ferrari for sale 312, car driven in its time by his father, Gilles Villeneuve. The 1997 World Champion, the Canadian, will participate in the practice sessions. "Fast & Famous: Legends on the Track"offering the public a rare nod to his family heritage and the history of Scuderia Ferrari. Seeing this naturally aspirated Ferrari from the 1980s return to the track with the Villeneuve name at the wheel is already one of the anticipated highlights of the weekend.

Another major figure expected: Alain Prost. The four-time world champion Formula 1 (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993) will take the wheel of his McLaren MP4/3 from 1987. Equipped with the TAG- enginePorsche The V6 Turbo, developing around 850 horsepower and designed around a chassis by Steve Nichols, had allowed the Frenchman to achieve three victories and nine podium finishes that season. Rene Arnoux will also be participating at the wheel of his Ferrari 126 C4. The 1984 season remains associated with a memorable third place on the streets of the Monaco Grand Prix, behind Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost and following the disqualification of Stefan Bellof.

 

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The program is not limited to historic Formula 1. Nicolas Prost will compete in the Masters race. Endurance Legends at the wheel of the Rebellion R-One. It was with this LMP1 that he finished fourth in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2014 and won the privateer drivers' trophy in the World Endurance Championship the following year. The race will start on Saturday, May 9th, in the late afternoon and last 1 hour and 40 minutes, with a nighttime finish that should enhance the spectacular atmosphere of the Var event.

The 2026 game board will also link to current events. Esteban Ocon will participate in the event for the first time as part of the "Fast & Famous" demonstrations, while he is currently playing for TGR this season Haas F1 TeamHe is expected to drive a Formula 1 car, but the model has not yet been specified. Finally, Jean Alesi, the first driver announced for the event, will return to the wheel of his Ferrari F1 412 T2, 31 years after his victory at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix. This will be a way to relive the memory of one of the most significant French successes of the 1990s. Other names are expected to be added to this initial list for the 2026 Historic French Grand Prix.

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