We may have lost Germany, but another old favourite has returned to the Formula One calendar after a ten year absence with France’s Paul Ricard Circuit signing a five year deal to host a round, starting in 2018.
Paul Ricard is a favourite testing venue for teams and is the much favoured French circuit over the old host, Magny Cours, that left the schedule back in 2008.
However, that doesn’t mean that Paul Ricard is new to F1 GP’s as it has already seen 14 races contested there between 1971 and 1990.
"Today I can announce clearly, firmly, and finally, the return of the French Grand Prix for the summer in 2018 in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, at the circuit Paul Ricard,” Christian Estrosi said in a press conference on Monday. “We are proud of this great return after 10 years. In 2018 it will be 10 years since the Grand Prix left the country, and this [return] is a huge victory for the men who worked for its success.”
“When we know how motorsport is so popular in our country – and we are ambassadors and bearers of innovation, creation, research and development, it was for our country a real scar to lose the grand prix. Since then there have been several efforts - and I want to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Francois Fillon and FFSA president Nicolas Deschaux and many others who worked hard for the return of the race.”
