Former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi is still confident that the French Grand Prix, his home race, will continue to stay at the Paul Ricard Circuit for the next seasons as there are ongoing discussions about the possibility of a Formula 1 Grand Prix through the streets of Nice to replace the race at Paul Ricard, but also the legendary Monte Carlo event.
In a recent interview for the French media regarding the possibility of the French Grand Prix moving to a race through the streets of Nice, the former Scuderia Ferrari driver can’t see this as a viable option, despite the fact that street track are very popular at the moment.
“Street tracks, we see them a lot, especially in Formula E (electric single-seaters) where free practice, qualifying and the race are concentrated on a single day. In F1, that is not really a strong trend. In the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Qatar), with colossal means, it is above all a question of promoting a place, a country” – Jean Alesi said, as reported by Nicematin – “The same for Miami. I was there. In fact, it isn’t a real street circuit because the track goes around an American football stadium, on the outskirts. Finally, to answer your question, quite frankly, in France, in Italy, I have a hard time imagining an F1 race in town.” – he added.
The other major F1 event that remains in question is the legendary Monaco Grand Prix and Jean Alesi does not want to give an opinion regarding the future of the Formula 1 race in Monte Carlo, while the negotiations are still taking place between race promotors and the Formula 1 management:
“Monaco has a special status, a place apart because it is an atypical and historic circuit which has regularly hosted F1 since the creation of the world championship (1950). I don’t know how negotiations are going at the moment, so I can’t give my opinion” – he added.
As previously explained, the Paul Ricard circuit is not popular with either drivers, media or F1 fans due to several reasons, including the fact that the venue is located far from anything, which means fans face long queues getting in and out of the area. A few years ago some fans were not even able to attend the race on Sunday due to the fact that they got stuck in a traffic jam for hours on end.
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Despite all of this, Jean Alesi remains confident that the race won’t be leaving the Paul Ricard track if this year’s race, which like all GPs in the 2022 Formula 1 championship, will be a total sellout, proves to be a ‘great success’.
“As for the Grand Prix de France, I trust the GIP (Public Interest Group) in place. There is no doubt that the next deadline will weigh heavily in the balance. It will condition the future. If the 2022 race (July 22-24) is a great success, sporting and popular with fans, we can really hope for a favourable follow-up event,” he concluded.
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