Losing F1 ‘a huge mistake’ says man behind French Grand Prix’s revival | Giles Richards

23 June 2018 02:20
France is ‘back in the family’ after a 10-year hiatus, and the race at Circuit Paul Ricard heralds a wider wind of change slowly blowing through Formula OneNamed in honour of the fearsome wind that blows from southern France into the Mediterranean, the Mistral straight is one of Paul Ricard circuit’s defining features. The French Grand Prix’s return here after 10 years is at a circuit with a real sense of heritage for local fans. It also heralds further progress for a wind of change slowly blowing through Formula One.The unloved Magny-Cours, in the centre of the country, hosted the last French GP in 2008 but, unable to meet F1’s demanding costs, it fell from the calendar and a decade was to pass before a financially viable and sustainable return could be forged. That they have done so at Ricard, where France’s Alain Prost took four of his six French Grand Prix victories, is no coincidence. Related: Return to Paul Ricard the first step to recapturing glory of French racing | Giles Richards Related: The French GP is back: ‘We love F1 here, its return is good for everybody’ Continue readingreadfullarticle

Source: TheGuardian