Flavio Briatore’s proposal for French GP: “It should return to the F1 calendar, but with a race in Paris”. The Alpine consultant has clear ideas about the future of the French Grand Prix in F1..

French GP, Flavio Briatore’s Proposal

After Madrid, Paris: this is Flavio Briatore’s suggestion. Speaking on the sidelines of the London presentation of the new Alpine A525, he commented on the absence of the French GP from the Formula 1 calendar. The super-consultant overseeing the Enstone team, who reports directly to Renault Group CEO Luca De Meo, believes F1 should return to racing in France. However, not at circuits like Paul Ricard or Magny-Cours, which pose significant logistical challenges.

The Advantages of a Paris GP

“I think the French Grand Prix is missing from the Formula 1 calendar,” Flavio Briatore told Le Figaro, “but we shouldn’t go back to Magny-Cours, which is in the middle of nowhere. Nor to Le Castellet, where traffic issues make it almost impossible” (Paul Ricard is located in Provence, a few kilometers from the coast but in a hilly area accessible only by a couple of narrow roads that become highly congested on GP weekends). “The French GP should be held in Paris!”

A fascinating idea, which Flavio Briatore justifies with the capital’s extensive hospitality infrastructure: “Of course, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a race in the city center, although racing under the Eiffel Tower would be magnificent. The advantage of Paris is its large hotel capacity. Nowadays, with all the sponsors supporting Formula 1 and all the people working in the paddock, having vast accommodation options is essential. Le Castellet can’t provide that, but Paris can!”

The French GP was held at Paul Ricard only four times, in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022, after previously being hosted at Magny-Cours between 1991 and 2008. Perhaps Flavio Briatore’s proposal could capture the interest of French institutions and Liberty Media.