After taking a glance at the Autosport main page, I spotted the article about the French government wanting to bring F1 back to France very soon. Frankly, I think that this is a great move by Mr. Fillon. France deserves to be on the calendar as much as England and Italy, and it is a travesty that we haven't been able to watch a French Grand Prix for a few years now while locations such as Abu Dhabi and Bahrain get the nod.
If the "taskforce" is successful in bringing Formula One back to France, where should they race? Paul Ricard already received a nod from Fillon and probably is the most suitable track, but are there any alternatives? Where else could they race, and/or where would you like to see the cars race?
So, if Formula One returns to France...
Started by
UPRC
, Jun 21 2011 21:01
82 replies to this topic
Advertisement
#2
Augurk
-
- 5,514 posts
- Joined: December 09
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:03
I always thought the races on Magny-Cours were rather good.
#4
olliek88
-
- 4,050 posts
- Joined: January 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:09
Was never a big fan of Magny Cours and Paul Ricard doesn't exactly fill me with excitement, in an ideal world i'd love to se F1 go to circuit de la sarthe but in reality that isn't going to happen, i think the most likely option is Paul Ricard as building a new circuit isn't really financial viable in france unless a wealthy benefactor was to chip in but can't see that happening some how.
#5
Concorde
-
- 782 posts
- Joined: April 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:12
Yes and Magny Cours.
New track no way, existing track like Dijon no chance, Le Mans impossible and the HTTT doesn't have the infrastructure to hold a GP any time soon.
It's Magny Cours where the highway extension is now completed or HTTT with a very limited attendance.
New track no way, existing track like Dijon no chance, Le Mans impossible and the HTTT doesn't have the infrastructure to hold a GP any time soon.
It's Magny Cours where the highway extension is now completed or HTTT with a very limited attendance.
#6
SCUDmissile
-
- 8,816 posts
- Joined: May 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:13
I've heard something about a Disneyland street race in Paris
#7
Fastcake
-
- 12,554 posts
- Joined: April 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:15
I'd quite like to see a race back in France, they deserve one enough. Paul Ricard is not the most exciting circuit, but I never liked Magny-Cours, and there isn't many other likely choices.
#8
Crafty
-
- 4,151 posts
- Joined: May 05
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:19
Spa.
erm... you're about 70 miles too far north.
I agree about a new circuit - won't happen, too much money especially considering the state of the Euro right now.
Does Paul Ricard still hold AAA status ? or for that matter does Magny Cours ?
#9
Turn 1
-
- 347 posts
- Joined: October 08
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:20
I read the article with interest untill I got to the last paragraph.
#10
Concorde
-
- 782 posts
- Joined: April 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:23
Yes they both are certified to hold F1 racesDoes Paul Ricard still hold AAA status ? or for that matter does Magny Cours ?
#11
Pudu
-
- 197 posts
- Joined: June 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:26
erm... you're about 70 miles too far north.
I agree about a new circuit - won't happen, too much money especially considering the state of the Euro right now.
Does Paul Ricard still hold AAA status ? or for that matter does Magny Cours ?
Ya, I was joking (been to Spa twice actually - awesome track, stunning location, traffic nightmare). The article suggests another possibility is to share a GP with Spa to cut costs.
#12
Desdirodeabike
-
- 1,954 posts
- Joined: March 09
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:27
I say yes. We need more races in Europe. There is getting fewer of them every other year. Turkey is in danger too which is a euro-ish race.
Magny-Cours is a great track in my opinion.
Magny-Cours is a great track in my opinion.
#13
BullHead
-
- 7,934 posts
- Joined: May 08
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:27
I read the article with interest untill I got to the last paragraph.
http://forums.autosp...howtopic=149291
I want to see France back on, and PR must be better than MC. Also if it actually helps save Spa, then let's do it.
#14
Concorde
-
- 782 posts
- Joined: April 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:30
You heard Bernie many moons ago when money was abundant,I've heard something about a Disneyland street race in Paris
Nowadays that's a pipe dream, you won't see a new F1 track in France for a decade or so.
#15
Disgrace
-
- 31,456 posts
- Joined: January 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:31
No, because if it does, we go to Paul Ricard which is a multiplex of paint and cement and it's crap.
#16
D.M.N.
-
- 7,491 posts
- Joined: May 08
RC Forum Host
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:35
I actually wish F1 raced around the long Le Mans circuit myself.
(I did not realise it was the Bugatti circuit so have clicked the wrong option...
)
(I did not realise it was the Bugatti circuit so have clicked the wrong option...
)
#18
KateLM
-
- 2,342 posts
- Joined: December 09
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:42
The Disneyland race possibility gives me conflicting emotions - it sounds horrible and gimmicky, but I'd be within an hour of a GP.
I actually didn't mind Magny Cours so I voted for that.
I actually didn't mind Magny Cours so I voted for that.
#19
doombug11
-
- 40 posts
- Joined: June 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:42
Yes, France has such a rich history in Grand Prix racing I was amazed they didn't try harder to keep hold of it in the first place! Only problem can't really think think of a circuit that really sticks out as one that produce a exciting race, and I can't see where they would get the money to build a new one, only decent option would be the Paris street circuit they were talking about.
Advertisement
#20
Concorde
-
- 782 posts
- Joined: April 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:59
They'd be doing some 30 laps only and there's a lack of run-off at several spots.I actually wish F1 raced around the long Le Mans circuit myself.
Not going to happen but sure you can wish or dream.
You've never been there I guessPau.
#21
Hole
-
- 2,232 posts
- Joined: August 09
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 21:59
Spa.
Even if some sectors of France are trying, from what I know Belgium ain't part of France, just yet
Replying to the topic, hell yeah! France should hosts a GP, only that I hope it is not at the expense of anyother european race. Even if the action happens in the track I have a problem with Bernie giving GPs to banana republics or developing countries that still have a big portion of their population living in the dark. I just hope we don't suffer from another Bahrain stuff again, and I hope it as there are some other countries where this could happen. So better to remove one of those instead anyone from Spain, i mean Europe.
Edited by AdamKOR, 21 June 2011 - 22:09.
#22
Lights
-
- 17,877 posts
- Joined: February 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:02
I wouldn't mind have France back on the calendar, but none of the current tracks are good enough IMO. Building a new one sucks too but I don't see another option.
#23
WhiteBlue
-
- 2,188 posts
- Joined: July 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:02
Yes, France should come back but please not to the detriment of Spa. Spa is the best circuit of F1 for me. It is absolutely stunning. I want F1 to ALWAYS go to SPA. French GP should be in Paris or if they can't manage that in Le Mans as part of the big race week they could run it directly after the 24 Hours. Paul Ricard is not viable. It has no grand stands, no Hotels and no city in the back ground. It would be as bad as Magny Cours lost in cow country.
#24
Willow Rosenberg
-
- 355 posts
- Joined: July 09
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:07
Pau.
I was tempted to suggest this myself. It would be like Monaco x 100...incredible spectacle, terrible race.
#25
ashnathan
-
- 5,018 posts
- Joined: March 07
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:08
I dont think paul rucard would have the best races, but they butchered magny course when they changed it for 03 but i'd still rather it be thrre than anyowhere else, i always liked the french grand prix but in its last days it had the habbit of being a bit of a procession.
#26
doombug11
-
- 40 posts
- Joined: June 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:11
Anyone know does Bernie still own circuit paul ricard? If he doe's I wonder how much he would charge himself to hold a race there!!
#27
R Soul
-
- 1,639 posts
- Joined: August 06
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:14
If the FIA ever sorts out the turbulent air issue, I think Magny Cours would be a good circuit to go back to.
#28
RockyRaccoon68
-
- 1,606 posts
- Joined: June 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:19
Yes, French GP should always be on the calendar IMO!
Too many rubbish races these days with noone attending in countries with no interest in F1.
Too many rubbish races these days with noone attending in countries with no interest in F1.
#29
scheivlak
-
- 16,489 posts
- Joined: August 01
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:24
It's about 40 km from Marseille and about 40 km from Toulon. Easily combined with some Mediterranean fun.Paul Ricard is not viable. It has no grand stands, no Hotels and no city in the back ground. It would be as bad as Magny Cours lost in cow country.
That's certainly different from Magny Cours.
Edited by scheivlak, 21 June 2011 - 22:25.
#30
schuey100
-
- 655 posts
- Joined: September 04
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:25
Not sure I understand the comments about France 'deserving' to host a race? Deserving? How so? Plus I never liked France as a host nation, I suppose that extends to many sporting events as well as F1. I've been to France twice for the GP and a couple of times for football, I really would rather travel to other places to watch sport! But I guess some people do like France a lot, each to their own
#31
WhiteBlue
-
- 2,188 posts
- Joined: July 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:29
A good point of view which I over looked. But it still needs a lot of investment having no spectator installations. It is strictly a testing circuit only.It's about 40 km from Marseille and about 40 km from Toulon. Easily combined with some Mediterranean fun.
That's certainly different from Magny Cours.
#32
Les
-
- 2,116 posts
- Joined: January 09
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:48
France definitely deserves a place on the calender. Firstly its a shame if it means F1 can only go to Spa every two years. Really its a special place that should be on the calender every year but reality bites and I know in such a money driven world its not always possible. Crazy really. Better every two years than not-at-all I guess.
In terms of France I guess it will have to be Ricard. Its a shame a for a country that started with such wonderful tracks as Riems, Rouen and Charade that these days the only contenders are such bland tracks. I'll accept Ricard if we can have the full Mistral into Signes though...
In terms of France I guess it will have to be Ricard. Its a shame a for a country that started with such wonderful tracks as Riems, Rouen and Charade that these days the only contenders are such bland tracks. I'll accept Ricard if we can have the full Mistral into Signes though...
#33
Palmero
-
- 296 posts
- Joined: March 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:56
Full Le mans !
In the real world, I don't care, it'd be another GP close to me, and probably better than valencia and barcelona at least. Just so long as it doesn't displace Spa or Monza.
In the real world, I don't care, it'd be another GP close to me, and probably better than valencia and barcelona at least. Just so long as it doesn't displace Spa or Monza.
#34
Obster
-
- 195 posts
- Joined: March 05
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 22:57
Magny Cours is a pretty small track-fun to visit, tho, and not a huge crowd in 2008. Easy to get to from Paris by train-home from the race by 9 PM for dinner at a cafe in the city.
I would like to see a larger track layout.
But, yes, close to Paris.
I would like to see a larger track layout.
But, yes, close to Paris.
#35
Sukhoi
-
- 328 posts
- Joined: April 10
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 23:04
Sure , but not if price is too high.. ( sharing spot with Spa - HELL NO ! - Spa twice a year !)
#36
Absulute
-
- 1,051 posts
- Joined: April 09
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 23:08
Please not Circuit de la Sarthe. I really don't get the appeal of that track.
Yeah, I understand the history of the place, but the circuit is pretty boring.
Yeah, I understand the history of the place, but the circuit is pretty boring.
#37
Callisto
-
- 2,807 posts
- Joined: October 08
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 23:11
I have always enjoyed races at magny cour
#38
arrysen
-
- 48 posts
- Joined: March 11
Member
Posted 21 June 2011 - 23:55
Agree that France should have a GP - too much history for there not to be one in my view.
Track wise, I struggled to understand the swap to Magny in the first place. We'd head down to Ricard each year, have some pretty good racing, big crowds, great atmosphere, lovely part of the world and it all felt, well - French (including the morning arguments with the paddock security staff).
Magny on the other hand is in the middle of nowhere with none of that atmosphere or positive feel about it. To me, if you're going to spend the money on a GP, you'd want it to show up some of the character of the host nation and Ricard definitely does that (or used to) - let them run the whole "old" layout with the full Mistral and Signes - now that would be pretty good. As for point re Ricard and lack of current grandstands - this is easily fixed for a big event with temporary structures, no biggie at all.
Le Mans Bugatti not really a proper GP track on my view - OK for F3000 or bikes but doesn't offer enough for an F1 car to really show all that it can do.
Track wise, I struggled to understand the swap to Magny in the first place. We'd head down to Ricard each year, have some pretty good racing, big crowds, great atmosphere, lovely part of the world and it all felt, well - French (including the morning arguments with the paddock security staff).
Magny on the other hand is in the middle of nowhere with none of that atmosphere or positive feel about it. To me, if you're going to spend the money on a GP, you'd want it to show up some of the character of the host nation and Ricard definitely does that (or used to) - let them run the whole "old" layout with the full Mistral and Signes - now that would be pretty good. As for point re Ricard and lack of current grandstands - this is easily fixed for a big event with temporary structures, no biggie at all.
Le Mans Bugatti not really a proper GP track on my view - OK for F3000 or bikes but doesn't offer enough for an F1 car to really show all that it can do.
Edited by arrysen, 21 June 2011 - 23:56.
#39
Callisto
-
- 2,807 posts
- Joined: October 08
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 00:11
I might be wrong but does bernie own paul ricard?
Advertisement
#40
BlackCat
-
- 945 posts
- Joined: February 00
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 00:13
just about the poll. if i - hypothetically - want to say that no, i see no reason to have french GP, i still have to say on what circuit i do NOT want it to be...
#41
Dunder
-
- 6,784 posts
- Joined: April 01
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 00:26
Certainly not at the expense of the Belgian GP and I would prefer not to see a return to Magny Cours.
#42
BigCHrome
-
- 4,049 posts
- Joined: July 10
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 00:29
Le Mans would be stupid, the track is really not that good anymore and wouldn't be any kind of a challenge in an F1 car.
Magny-Cours was a really good and technical track, most suitable F1 track in the country (and I think it would probably be in my top 10 best European tracks).
I think the biggest issue is that, apparently, there isn't much interest in F1 from the French public.
Magny-Cours was a really good and technical track, most suitable F1 track in the country (and I think it would probably be in my top 10 best European tracks).
I think the biggest issue is that, apparently, there isn't much interest in F1 from the French public.
#43
VicR
-
- 1,965 posts
- Joined: April 09
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 00:32
Yes, Paul Ricard.
They could change the circuit configuration every year. It would fit perfectly with the flip-flop nature of France as a country.
They could change the circuit configuration every year. It would fit perfectly with the flip-flop nature of France as a country.
#44
MonzaF1
-
- 487 posts
- Joined: February 11
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 00:42
Anyone that does not want a French Grand Prix confounds me.
I chose Le Sarthe. Le Mans is the center of motor racing in France these days, it is a beautiful track and could be developed to make a great f1 track.
Paul Ricard is an emotional track for me, because I attended the grands prix there as a kid in 1975 and 1976. It was a magical.
But has anyone seen the current track? It has been destroyed since the Mistral is no more and has the ugliest paint designs imagineable.
Magny Cours simply has no chance because it is in the boondocks and f1 these days is filled with prima donnas.
A night race in Paris organized bythe same people who arrange Singapore is my vote.
I chose Le Sarthe. Le Mans is the center of motor racing in France these days, it is a beautiful track and could be developed to make a great f1 track.
Paul Ricard is an emotional track for me, because I attended the grands prix there as a kid in 1975 and 1976. It was a magical.
But has anyone seen the current track? It has been destroyed since the Mistral is no more and has the ugliest paint designs imagineable.
Magny Cours simply has no chance because it is in the boondocks and f1 these days is filled with prima donnas.
A night race in Paris organized bythe same people who arrange Singapore is my vote.
#45
MonzaF1
-
- 487 posts
- Joined: February 11
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 00:47
I think the biggest issue is that, apparently, there isn't much interest in F1 from the French public.
That has never prevented Bernie from arranging a race, otherwise half the f1 races would not exist.
Years ago BCE said his ideal would be no more than 50,000 spectators all seated in covered comfortable grandstands at a grand prix.
#46
Starish
-
- 1,779 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 02:20
Dunno why they left Mangy-cours always loved that track.
#47
pingu666
-
- 9,272 posts
- Joined: October 07
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 02:47
mangy bours is a great place to watch a f1 car around, but it gave poor racing, the opposite of canada really.
paul recard with a layout thats very low downforce would be good imo, be another chance to see the cars trimmed out with there monza aero packages, rather than yet another medium to high df "balanced" racetrack
also, F1 would ruin le mans, and overshadow the 24 hours aswell. the spectator areas are WAY better at le mans than they are at silverstone, having a gp is a moneyhole for the paddock area while everything else stands still and isnt improved.
paul recard with a layout thats very low downforce would be good imo, be another chance to see the cars trimmed out with there monza aero packages, rather than yet another medium to high df "balanced" racetrack
also, F1 would ruin le mans, and overshadow the 24 hours aswell. the spectator areas are WAY better at le mans than they are at silverstone, having a gp is a moneyhole for the paddock area while everything else stands still and isnt improved.
#49
maximilian
-
- 8,119 posts
- Joined: February 10
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 03:16
Run the full LeMans!
#50
MonzaF1
-
- 487 posts
- Joined: February 11
Member
Posted 22 June 2011 - 03:44
Run the full LeMans!
I agree but Bernie does not want such long tracks.
