LE CASTELLET, France — The future of the
French Grand Prix and several other classic European races was declared uncertain
on Monday as the dust settled following Max Verstappen’s crushing victory in
front of a sell-out crowd at the Paul Ricard Circuit.
اضافة اعلان
Widespread misgivings about
F1’s plans to scrap
established traditional races, or rotate them, and instead to hold more
‘international’ big city street circuit events, including a proposed Las Vegas
race, dominated paddock debate during a sunbaked weekend.
World champion Verstappen had joined other drivers
before the race in objecting to the likely loss of the sport’s iconic
traditional circuits, including the
Spa-Francorchamps track in the Belgian
Ardennes, from a proposed 25-race calendar for next year.
Other historic
events, including the Monaco and Italian Grands Prix, have been cited as
targets for the axe as Liberty Media, owners of the commercial rights, forge a
new future, breaking from the past and targeting new younger audiences.
“I don’t want to see myself in 2028, or whatever,
driving only on street circuits close to a city just for the fan engagement, or
whatever,” said championship leader Verstappen.
“I understand everyone wants to make money, but
there is also a limit to that because it’s important to keep these really cool
circuits on the calendar instead of just driving on street circuits, which I
think F1 cars are not designed for anyway.”
Verstappen has been reluctant to accept the sport’s
Americanization, led by owners Liberty Media’s push for a Netflix-driven
expansion into new markets including the US, the Middle East, and South Africa
and objected to participating in the “Drive to Survive” series.
The sport’s traditionalists were given hope on
Monday when race promoter Christian Estrosi said he was “not resigned” to the
loss of the French Grand Prix next year after record crowds at this season’s
event.
“It’s the end of a contract in which France had to
show its know-how in organization,” he said. “200,000 people filled the circuit
between Friday and Sunday, which is an absolute record.
“We are in the middle of a discussion — so no, I am
not resigned. I saw our country regain its Grand Prix de France — this
magnificent, popular sporting event. I am convinced that in the coming weeks,
we will have extremely positive things to announce for the future of our Grand
Prix.”
Le Mans to host race?
French driver
Esteban Ocon of Alpine suggested Le Mans, the venue of the world’s most famous 24-Hour race,
could be used in a new format that also helped to preserve the Belgian Grand
Prix.
“I think we have multiple options,” he said. “I
don’t think around Paris is realistic with the way the people there are running
the area, but there are others that could work — Magny-Cours, of course, but it
is hard to get to. Le Mans as a French Grand Prix could be awesome.”
He added that alternating races in France and
Belgium could be a solution.
“I don’t care about the business aspect of it as a
driver, but it leaves F1 in a better place and for us it’s important, but as a
driving experience I like Jeddah and many of these new tracks.”
France, Belgium and Italy, along with Britain and
Monaco, hosted races in the inaugural 1950 world championship season.
All five have been touted as under threat in recent
years as the hosting fees have risen with the arrival of new events including
Miami, Singapore, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, and more planned.
France has paid a reported fee of around $20 million
to host a race at Le Castellet since returning to the calendar in 2018, after a
10-year absence, while Saudi Arabia pays a reported $50 million.
“The reality is that F1 is extremely attractive and
there are a lot of cities and countries that want to host F1,” said French GP
director Eric Boullier.
Verstappen offered a more purist view that helped
explain why thousands of fans would spend three days in cold, wet woodlands,
staying in tents, to watch the Belgian race rather than a luxury hotel in a
warm climate with a street track.
“It’s just a great track to drive ... I understand that to
get there compared to other tracks, it’s probably a little bit more difficult,
but it is just fantastic,” he said.
Read more Sports
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
