Esteban Ocon disappointed with possible exit of French Grand Prix next year.


Esteban Ocon disappointed with possible exit of French Grand Prix next year.

Esteban Ocon will start the United States GP from the pitlane

Esteban Ocon has expressed his disappointment that, with Paul Ricard’s contract due for renewal in 2023, the French Grand Prix may be dropped off the Formula 1 schedule.

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On July 24, the French track, which welcomed F1 back in 2018, will host the 2022 edition. However, no agreement has been reached to keep F1 at the track or even in France for 2023 and beyond.

The focus is on “destination” races like the recently announced Las Vegas Grand Prix from 2023, the arrival of Miami in 2022, as well as the likes of new venues in Saudi Arabia which has held two races in the past seven months. Liberty Media is eager to expand into less traditional markets as the sport’s popularity soars around the world.

It looks that yearly races are no longer assured, which is unfortunate for F1’s more established home countries like France, Germany, Belgium, and Monaco. Instead, a race rotation and “year on, year off” strategy may be used to maintain F1 visiting places like Spa-Francorchamps or Paul Ricard.

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Ocon says he is disappointed with the way the sport is going in as it appears France may lose its yearly race given the heritage of grand prix racing in France and the success of French manufacturers inside the sport.

Also read: “We are in the position to fight for wins at every race”: Charles Leclerc optimistic but cautious of Red Bull’s one-off performance in Austria

Tribune Esteban Ocon at the Grand Prix this year.

Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon

Esteban Ocon has a grandstand named after him this year at the Grand Prix; “To have a grandstand named after you at your home race is an absolute privilege and one I never thought I would have when I started racing,” he said, as PlanetF1 quoted. 

“Every time I go past, I will think of what it means – for every young racer in that stand and watching at home, it shows what you can do if you put your mind to it and take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way.”

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This year’s French Grand Prix will have an Alpine grandstand in addition to a special “Tribune Esteban Ocon” section thanks to a partnership between Alpine and the race, which the French driver admits to finding a little strange.

Also read: “We are in the position to fight for wins at every race”: Charles Leclerc optimistic but cautious of Red Bull’s one-off performance in Austria

Also read: Lewis Hamilton chooses Fernando Alonso over Max Verstappen as the toughest competitor of his career