The French Grand Prix is on the brink for the 2023 Formula 1 season. The contract with the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France is expiring and other countries have already applied for a premier class race. Although there are interesting alternatives within France, a return to the European country is not guaranteed.
This is criticized by Alpine Managing Director Laurent Rossi, who spoke of a “racing fortress” at the French Grand Prix that absolutely had to get a place on the Formula 1 calendar. However, the race could fall victim to the new rounds in the premier class: Las Vegas and Qatar have already been confirmed, a race in South Africa is in the works and a return to China is not excluded, should the COVID-19 rules allow it.
France has a large footprint in Formula 1: Alpine has taken over the factory team from Renault and relies on the local hero Esteban Ocon. At AlphaTauri, Pierre Gasly is another Frenchman in the team. Both have won races in the past two years. That’s why Rossi would be “very disappointed” if the race didn’t find a place.
“This race gave a lot to the sport because it has a big audience and a huge fan base,” he says. “It would be unfair if we removed a milestone as big as the French Grand Prix from the calendar. That would be strange and I hope the race stays.” Rossi speaks as a fan and not as a manager of a Formula 1 team.
The French drivers are also hoping for the World Championship race to remain, precisely because the possibly last Grand Prix in Le Castellet was a great success. Gasly enjoyed “every second” of the weekend knowing it could have been his last home race. “It was very emotional to see the many French flags there,” said the AlphaTauri driver about the spectators waving the national flag in the grandstands.
“Hopefully there will be a French Grand Prix,” hopes the Formula 1 race winner. “If it doesn’t happen next year then hopefully next year because I think he deserves a spot on the calendar.” There are already ideas from the drivers as to where the race could take place. Sebastian Vettel has thrown Dijon and Magny-Cours into the room, Ocon is flirting with Le Mans. Nice has also shown interest in another city race.