Axed French GP Group Facing ‘Embezzlement’ Probe

Mediaon April 26, 2024

LE CASTELLET, FRANCE - JULY 24: Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Ferrari F1-75 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 and the rest of the field into turn one at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on July 24, 2022 in Le Castellet, France. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202207240268 // Usage for editorial use only //

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The 2022 demise of the French GP at Paul Ricard has now become a full-scale disaster, with local prosecutors opening an investigation into “embezzlement of public funds”.

Le Monde newspaper also said the former legal structure of the organisation in charge of the Formula 1 race – public interest group GPF-le Castellet – is already in compulsory liquidation, with debts tallying EUR 32 million.

“The amounts are exorbitant,” politician Christelle D’Intorni told the newspaper, referring to a multitude of questionable expenses with unknown recipients.

“What is shocking is that the travel costs go up and up, and we find luxury expenses for colossal sums,” she added.