“There will no French GP next season,” Stefano Domenicali confirms removal of another historic race from the F1 calendar
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French Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen
After months of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that the French Grand Prix will not be taking place next year. Many reports suggested that the race had a limited number of days left and the 2022 race being the last one for now is a testament to that fact. France didn’t always have the best of races. Some fans would even go on to say that the Paul Ricard circuit hosted some of the most boring races in the sport.
Although in the last few years, the French Grand Prix had become more interesting. Especially in 2021 and 2022 due to the title fights that were in place. Max Verstappen won the 2021 race after pulling out a strategy masterclass and overtaking title rival Lewis Hamilton in the last few laps. The 2022 race and Paul Ricard also proved to be one filled with drama after the two Ferrari’s had a disastrous race where Charles Leclerc crashed out from the lead and Carlos Sainz didn’t have the best of strategies which led to a 5 second penalty for the Spaniard.
With the removal of the French Grand Prix from the calendar, it is imminent that the historic circuits of the sport are under threat. This is due to F1 racing in newly built circuits which are also providing substantial funds for the sport to race there. This leads to F1 giving more preference to new circuits. Spa and Monaco are the other two circuits who do not have a contact for next year and are also under threat. Stefano Domenicali talks about the ongoing situation and negotiations with the historic circuits.
‘Traditional races have full respect from us,’ says F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali as he confirms the removal of the French Grand Prix
“We are a business where investments and financial contributions are very important. But we have always said that traditional races, where we know they cannot bring the others are bringing, have full respect from us,” he said.
While Stefano Domenicali had said that “full respect“ will be given to historic circuits, his actions are speaking louder than words as the French Grand Prix won’t take place in the near future and Spa and Monaco still don’t have a contract in place for next year. If this goes on, then F1 will give up historical circuits eventually and just go race at street circuits in countries which are willing to pay for the sport to race there in an attempt to increase the touristic value of the nation.
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Varad Joshi
(940 Articles Published)