What’s next for the French GP?

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the essentials in brief

• The French GP could disappear from the Formula 1 calendar after this season.
• Le Castellet’s contract has expired – there is no sign of a new one.
• Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali dreams of a road GP in Nice.

After the recent staging of the French GP, the future of the traditional race hangs in the balance. With the Formula 1 guest appearance last Sunday, the contract between the premier class and the Circuit Paul Ricard expired.

Should Formula 1 also be a guest in France in the future?

50%

Yes, the French GP is essential! –

1

Yes, the French GP is essential! –

23%

Only when driving on a different route. –

2

Only when driving on a different route. –

26%

No, this station would like to disappear! –

3

No, this station would like to disappear! –

It is currently anything but certain whether Formula 1 will continue to be a guest in Le Castellet in the future. With the increasing number of new races – Qatar, Las Vegas – slots are few and far between on the World Cup calendar.

No Formula 1 in the streets of Nice

In addition, the Circuit Paul Ricard is not particularly popular with fans and drivers. The layout offers few overtaking opportunities, even with the new generation of cars. And the large run-off areas lead to recurring track limit debates.

In addition, Formula 1 apparently wants to push its trend towards more city races in Europe as well. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently even promised a road GP in Nice. He could replace both Monaco and Le Castellet.

At least these plans have now been rejected by Nice’s mayor Christian Estrosi in an interview with “Nice Matin”. “A Formula 1 race in Nice is out of the question. In Le Castellet we have a permanent race track with a proven structure.”

Not only the French GP is shaking

Estrosi wants to do everything in his power to ensure that the French GP stays on the Paul Ricard Circuit. GP Director Eric Boullier is not giving up either: “Domenicali told me that we deserve to get a World Championship run.”

It seems increasingly unlikely that the premier class will actually be visiting France in 2023. Other traditional races are also shaking: the contracts of Monaco, Austria, Belgium, Singapore and Mexico also expire in 2022.