May 22 (GMM) France’s hopes of returning to the Formula 1 calendar appear to rest with Paul Ricard – the venue that last hosted the country’s grand prix in 2022.
Christian Estrosi is the mayor of Nice, but he was also involved in the promotion of the Paul Ricard event that ultimately fell off the F1 schedule for economic reasons.
Estrosi was subsequently charged by the federal government with the task of preparing a feasibility report into returning Formula 1 to France.
“Is it possible? Yes,” he told the sports daily L’Equipe.
“We have the facilities, the resources and the know-how. It’s all a question of will.
“We have seen in previous years that significant resources are required, the support of local authorities, as well as an essential and consistent commitment from the state.”
F1 appeared to be interested in two ideas, Estrosi said. A race in Ile-de-France, which is the region including the capital Paris, and a street event in Nice.
“At the end of 2023, a project for a non-permanent circuit was mentioned but these communities did not wish to continue,” he said. “Nice had all the assets that were required, especially as we have experience of major international events.”
However, Estrosi said the main problem was that Nice is geographically far too close to Monaco. In his feasibility report, he therefore told the federal government that the best chance of a future French GP is Paul Ricard.