After strong rumours since last Thursday, the comeback of the French Grand Prix has been confirmed today for 2018 on the Paul Ricard track at Le Castellet.
Since 1950, the Grand Prix of France has almost always been hosted until 2008 for its last edition at Magny-Cours. Since then, the rumours about the circuit at Le Castellet which already hosted the Grand Prix between 1971 and 1990 never went off.
It was during a press conference hosted today by Christian Estrosi, president of PACA region, that the Grand Prix of France would be back in the F1 calendar of the circuit owned by Bernie Ecclestone.
“Today, I can clearly, firmly and definitely announce the comeback of the Grand Prix of France of Formula One as soon as the 2018 summer, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in Var on the Paul Ricard circuit.”
Despite a growing interest, the Paul Ricard circuit remains criticized for the lack of infrastructures which might be a real problem for the organisation of the Grand Prix. Indeed, the access to the track is quite difficult and the press room was already too small for WEC prologue.
“The Paul Ricard circuit was one of those which got the most investments those last years. Since 2002, 80 million € have been invested by the actioners. […] The costs of the hosting of F1 have been estimated to 30 million € but the gain should be around 65 million €. “
The current French F1 drivers, Romain Grosjean and Esteban Ocon, already showed their satisfaction on social media. The accord between Le Castellet and F1 stands for five years. The Grand Prix should take place in the end of August, between Spa and Monza and replaces the Malaysian Grand Prix.