France is aiming to reclaim its spot on the global motorsport map. The newly elected president of French motorsport, Pierre Gosselin, has set his sights on reviving the French Grand Prix and bringing the World Rally Championship back to the country.
After being absent from the Formula One calendar in 2023, the French Grand Prix remains in limbo. However, Gosselin, who took office on October 9th, is determined to see the race return. “We need to organise a Grand Prix in France, and it’s feasible,” he stated in an interview with Le Figaro Sport. The last French Grand Prix was held in 2022 at the Paul Ricard circuit.
While Gosselin acknowledges the need for government support to make this happen, stating that “Without state financial guarantees no project can succeed,” he also admits that there are no current commitments from the government.
The road to reviving the French Grand Prix isn’t paved with roses. Financial constraints and the evolving landscape of Formula One, which is increasingly focused outside of Europe, pose significant challenges. Additionally, the recent announcement that Renault will cease supplying engines for Alpine by 2025 has dealt a blow to French motorsport. “It’s a serious setback for us, but I understand the industrial logic behind the decision,” Gosselin said.
But Gosselin isn’t limiting his ambitions to the Formula One circuit. He also aims to bring the World Rally Championship back to France, a country rich with rallying heritage and legendary drivers like Sebastien Ogier and Sebastien Loeb. The last WRC event in France was the Corsica Rally in 2019. “France is a great rally country… We’re working on returning to the WRC calendar,” Gosselin declared.
Gosselin’s ambitious plans face obstacles, but his determination and the legacy of French motorsport suggest that the country may soon be back on the international motor racing scene. Whether he can overcome the financial and logistical hurdles to achieve his goals remains to be seen, but his commitment to restoring the French Grand Prix and the World Rally Championship is a strong statement about the future of French motorsport.