Rumors
'Liberty Media gets even more options with possible GP in Nice'
- GPblog.com
The French Grand Prix is often not a very spectacular one. The Paul Ricard circuit has huge run-off lanes, so mistakes often go unpunished. France should fear for its place on the Formula 1 calendar in the future, but possibly the premier class of motor racing will move to Nice.
The contract with Paul Ricard expires after this season and there is not much chance that a new commitment will be made. Next season we get Las Vegas, probably China and possibly South Africa among others and that means that the calendar for 2023 is already overcrowded. So there will have to be cuts by Liberty Media.
France is said to be on the nomination to stop racing next year, just like the Belgian Spa-Francorchamps. Earlier there were rumours that Paul Ricard and Spa will alternate and will host a Grand Prix every other year.
Formula 1 to Nice?
However, perhaps a new opportunity for Formula 1 is now presenting itself. But according to L'Equipe discussions are currently underway between Stefano Domenicali and the promoters of a possible French Grand Prix in the coastal city of Nice, whose mayor is none other than Christian Estrosi. He is one of the current promoters of the GP at Paul Ricard.
The journalist Frédéric Ferret spoke with Stefano Domenicali in Canada. The CEO of Liberty Media said he would rather see France retained for the Formula 1 calendar than not. Domenicali is "open to new ideas. So possibly we will get a weekend in Nice in the future. The mayor of Nice did not want to confirm or deny the news.