KENNOL Historic French Grand Prix 2026: all the names announced as of April 18nd

Although the French Grand Prix has disappeared from the calendar Formula 1French motorsport enthusiasts haven't given up yet. Every year, the KENNOL Historic French Grand Prix at Le Castellet offers a unique event where legends of the past and champions of the present share the same track. The 2026 edition promises to be particularly emotionally charged, with the 30th anniversary of Olivier Panis's victory in Monaco and the 50th anniversary of Ligier's Formula 1 debut as a backdrop.

Olivier Panis, the man of the moment

Thirty years after his Monaco triumph on May 19, 1996, Olivier Panis will naturally be one of the central figures of this year's event. It was a victory no one saw coming: starting from 14th place on a rain-soaked track, the Frenchman triumphed over David Coulthard at the end of an epic race in which only three cars were classified. Thirty years later, he will take to the microphone at Le Castellet to recount his memories of that Sunday, which remains one of the finest chapters in French motorsport.

Jacques Laffite, the living memory of Ligier

It's hard to imagine celebrating 50 years of Ligier's Formula 1 debut without Jacques Laffite. A pillar of the team from 1976 to 1986, the man who contested 176 Grands Prix in the blue colors is inextricably linked to it. He gave Ligier its first victory in Sweden in 1977 and fought for the world title for three consecutive seasons. His legend remains intact, and his presence at Le Castellet was a natural fit.

René Arnoux, a fiery temperament

Rene Arnoux will have marked his time at Ligier between 1986 and 1989, after years of glory at Renault et Classic Ferrari for sale. A driver with a volcanic temperament, author of memorable duels, notably with Gilles Villeneuve, the Isère native will bring to the grid that authenticity and roughness of the turbo years that new generations of enthusiasts only know through the archives.

Philippe Alliot, discreet but indispensable

Less high-profile than some of his contemporaries, Philippe Alliot nonetheless enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Formula 1, notably with Ligier from 1986 to 1990. A complete driver and respected technician, he was part of a pivotal era for the French team, between its last moments of glory and the difficult transitional years that followed. His presence at Le Castellet, alongside Laffite and Arnoux, completes a Ligier trio particularly representative of the French team's golden age.

Alain Prost, the Professor

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion, record holder for victories in his era, Alain Prost He is quite simply one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, and by far the best Frenchman. The Lorette native, an unparalleled strategist whose rivalry with Ayrton Senna shaped an entire decade of Formula 1, will be present during the sessions. Fast and Famouss.

Nicolas Prost, following in his father's footsteps

Son of the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, Nicolas Prost has forged his own path in motorsport. A pioneer of the Formula EHe demonstrated genuine sporting legitimacy from his very first seasons in the discipline. His presence at Castellet alongside his father promises a rare image of the passing of the torch between two generations united by the same passion for motorsport.

Jean Alesi, the eternal enthusiast

Jean Alesi, whose career remains inextricably linked to Ferrari and that hard-fought victory in Montreal in 1995—his only win in 201 Grands Prix—has never truly left the circuits. Still as passionate, still as generous with the public who have embraced him far beyond the borders of France, the Avignon native will once again be one of the most cheered drivers during the sessions. Fast and FamousThe President of the Paul Ricard circuit is obviously a regular at the KENNOL Historic French Grand Prix.

Jacques Villeneuve, the Canadian outsider

Formula 1 World Champion in 1997 with WilliamsJacques, son of Gilles Villeneuve, whose name is synonymous with the Montreal circuit, brings a decidedly international dimension to this grid. Seeing the Canadian driver at Le Castellet alongside other legends like Prost, Alesi, and Panis will be one of the most exciting contrasts of this KENNOL Historic French Grand Prix weekend.

Esteban Ocon, the representative of a generation

Esteban Ocon represents a new generation of French drivers who have knocked on the door of Formula 1. After years at Force India, Renault and Alpine, the Norman now continues his career at Haaswhere he races alongside Oliver Bearman. His presence at Castellet will be an opportunity to reconnect with a French public that has remained loyal to him, and which he has not had the chance to see at a race since the French F1 Grand Prix in 2022.

Julien Fébreau, the voice of F1, goes to the other side of the mirror

Julien Fébreau, Formula 1 commentator for Canal+ and the familiar voice of hundreds of Grands Prix for millions of French viewers, won't just be watching the action from the commentary booth. The journalist will be getting behind the wheel of a Benetton B198 — driven by Alexander Wurz and Giancarlo Fisichella in 1998 — to participate in the parades of single-seaters at the Paul Ricard circuit. This won't be his first time: Fébreau has already demonstrated his driving skills at the wheel of the...Alpine 1521 in Monza in 2022, before making a name for himself in Andros Trophy and to secure a victory in the final round of the 2025 season Rallycross in Dreux.

Isack Hadjar, the present meets the past

On Friday, May 9, Isack Hadjar — now a pilot Red Bull and teammate of Max Verstappen — will take the wheel of the RB7, the car avec laquelle Sebastian Vettel dominated the 2011 season by winning eleven of the nineteen Grands Prix on the schedule this season. “Driving alongside the legends of our sport whom I admired growing up makes me feel like I’ve come full circle.”he said.

David Coulthard, the beginnings of Red Bull

Another major figure expected at Le Castellet is David Coulthard, who will embody this link between different eras by also taking the wheel of the RB7. A former Red Bull Racing driver between 2005 and 2008, he was part of the team's early days before its rise to the top. With 246 Grands Prix contested and 13 victories, as well as a runner-up finish in the 2001 World Championship, he has a remarkable record. Michael SchumacherThe Scotsman established himself as a leading figure of his time. He will participate in the demonstrations on Sunday, May 10th with... "hot laps" driving the single-seater that won the title in 2011 with Sebastian Vettel, he will also be present on the Fast & Famous grid, further strengthening a lineup already rich in legends.

Franck Montagny, back for his revenge

Last year, Franck Montagny's adventure at the Historic French Grand Prix was cut short. Deeply moved to be reunited with the 2005 World Championship-winning Renault R25—a car he had driven extensively as a test driver for the French manufacturer—the Canal+ commentator was forced to retire during his second run due to a mechanical failure. In 2026, he returns to Le Castellet with a different car and undiminished motivation: the Ensign N180B, the single-seater entered by the modest Ensign Racing team during the 1981 season.

Mark Webber and the Ferrari Super Squalo

Returning to the KENNOL Historic French Grand Prix, Mar Webber, who competed in 225 Formula 1 Grands Prix between 2002 and 2013, securing nine victories, will take the wheel of the Ferrari Tipo 555 — nicknamed Super Squalo — a car that raced on circuits around the world nearly forty years before its F1 debut. This presents a striking contrast to the modern-era hybrid single-seaters Webber experienced at the end of his career, and offers a glimpse into the very origins of top-level motorsport.

ALSO READ > Isack Hadjar will drive a world championship-winning Red Bull at the Kennol Historic French Grand Prix