President Macron intervenes: France wants an F1 race again

(Motorsport-Whole.com) – French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that he needs Method 1 to return to his nation – with a highway race in Good as a doable candidate.

The French Grand Prix returned to Circuit Paul Ricard in 2018 after an extended absence, however the contract was not renewed after the 2022 occasion, so it was dropped from this system that 12 months.

Even earlier than Paul Ricard’s finish was confirmed, a Good highway race had emerged as a doable substitute, though some observers thought Method One’s curiosity was additionally linked to ongoing negotiations with Monaco over a brand new contract, a state of affairs that has now been resolved grew to become.

Macron provides the inexperienced gentle for organizers

Macron responded positively, instructing Estrosi and FFSA President Nicolas Deschaux to barter with Liberty Media and draw up a feasibility examine for the race’s return, however with out committing to a particular venue. Each males had been beforehand concerned in shifting the race to Paul Ricard.

Macron writes: “Be assured that I totally share your ambitions. Certainly, as you level out, our nation have to be ready, like the opposite main worldwide sporting occasions that it organizes yearly, to take Method 1 to the everybody’s enjoyment once more. It’s a query of the attractiveness of our nation, the impression of our automotive business and the innovation to help the decarbonization of this sector.”

He provides: “With that in thoughts, you’ll be able to see the totally different doable location choices [in Frankreich] analyze and determine for every their financial mannequin, their compatibility with our environmental commitments and their potential contribution to regional and nationwide growth. On this context, you’ll deal with holding discussions with the Method 1 rights holders.”

Paul Ricard boss Alesi lately with harsh criticism of politics

Estrosi’s connections to Good make this metropolis an apparent candidate, and it stays to be seen which different cities will likely be critically thought-about.

Macron’s help is necessary as Paul Ricard’s present boss Jean Alesi believes the observe’s disappearance from the calendar was hastened by an absence of political help.

“The issue with Method 1 in France isn’t the observe, however the politics,” mentioned Alesi lately. “It is in all probability the one Method 1 Grand Prix that has by no means been attended by a President – except Magny-Cours, when [Francois] Mitterrand was current as a part of his political need for the race to happen there.”

“It hasn’t occurred since. The issue is not with the observe, it is with the nation’s need. My different job is that of a Method 1 ambassador, so my connection to Method 1 is direct and they’re very conscious of that .”

Method 1 apparently open to talks

A Method 1 supply mentioned the group is open to talks with Macron’s staff to stage the race at an “iconic French location”.

On this context, the authorities of the town of Good on the Côte d’Azur on Wednesday agreed to pay 5 million euros to assist the general public curiosity group of the French Grand Prix group to repay a debt of 27 million euros , which had been collected in reference to the occasions in Paul Ricard.

The transfer was not with out controversy, particularly because it got here earlier than the group’s actions are because of be reviewed later this month. “It isn’t about paying an advance of 5 million if there are doable irregularities,” EELV MP Fabrice Decoupigny instructed Good-Matin.

“You do not vote with out figuring out one thing. They put the knife to our throats, whereas Christian Estrosi elevated the tram ticket by 70 p.c and stopped subsidies for electromobility.”

One mayor mentioned: “I requested for the record of collectors and obtained nothing. After which, an advance means we may give greater than 5 million. That is big contemplating the hassle we’re asking our fellow residents to pay their taxes have already got been elevated.”

The dispute is unlikely to assist efforts to safe public funds for a Good road race.