Paul Ricard’s new circuit boss Jean Alesi says he will work with French president Emmanuel Macron to bring back the French Grand Prix, and believes F1 shouldn’t be blamed for dropping out of the calendar. . The French Grand Prix, which returned to the F1 calendar with Paul Ricard for four years from 2018 to 2022, could be sidelined again for a long time after being off the schedule this year.
It was previously dormant from 2009 to 2017 after 18 years at Magny-Cours, which it took over from Paul Ricard in 1991 for political reasons. Former Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi, who took up his new role this week, has made clear where the responsibility lies for the loss of the race. “F1’s problem in France is not the circuit, it’s politics,” the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix winner told Autosport. “It’s probably the only F1 grand prix that the president hasn’t been to, except once at Magny-Cours where[François]Mitterrand was part of the politics of wanting the race to go on,” he said. “Never since then. “The problem is not the circuit, it’s the state’s will.” is very clear about it.” “Formula 1 now has maybe 32 countries in the world asking to host a Formula 1 race. The last grand prix held here last year was very popular with the people. So It would be a shame to lose it.” The F1 French Grand Prix is one of the races that began with the 1950 F1 World Championship, but that title goes back to 1906. “Having a French Grand Prix looks good on the F1 calendar, but if there is no possibility of doing it, it is because the country is not interested in motorsport, which is very disappointing.” added Jean Alesi. “It’s not a problem for F1 to host a Grand Prix in France, the responsibility lies with France,” he said. “I don’t know if it will happen.” “If it happens and I can take back the French Grand Prix, I will be the happiest man in the world!” “Alpine and Renault are very strong in F1 right now. “But it’s not because of France, it’s because F1 is so strong.” “If I go to the Elysee and talk to Macron, it will help me much more than lobbying other people,” Paul Ricard said of his ex-husband Bernie. Although it is in the hands of Slavica Ecclestone, who claimed ownership as part of her divorce settlement, joining Jean Alesi’s organization is part of a major management overhaul. “Paul Ricard’s board has completely changed. He was previously the same member from 20 years ago,” explains Jean Alesi. “The new board members were looking for a new president, and I was already in that circle, so I was asked. “The circuit is just 120km from Avignon and I used to come here to watch the F1 tests when I was a kid. My passion for motorsport grew here.” Jean Alesi in 1989 F1 He made his F1 debut for Tyrrell at the French Grand Prix, replacing Michele Alboreto, and achieved a sensational 4th place finish from 16th on the grid. “It was an amazing day in my life when I stepped into the spotlight in 1989. But it’s already a very special place for me, a part of the sport and I want to be close to F1. It increased that feeling,” says Jean Alesi. “This year we have 280 days of track activity booked. It’s a very wealthy circuit with a lot of income. It also hosts sports cars, bikes and domestic races, as well as the Italian championship. “We are very busy, but F1 is very attractive to us. I think it would be great to have the Grand Prix again.” It’s a very convenient circuit for a Formula 1 car, with long straights, lots of run-off areas and a sprinkler system that allows you to test wet tires at any time.And of course, the weather is always nice here.”