Domenicali Open To Talks With France’s Macron

Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault F1 Team RS19.
French Grand Prix, Friday 21st June 2019. Paul Ricard, France.
Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault F1 Team RS19.
French Grand Prix, Friday 21st June 2019. Paul Ricard, France.

Stefano Domenicali says he is willing to talk face-to-face with the French president about potentially reviving the country’s grand prix.

Paul Ricard was this year the latest victim of Formula 1’s gradual shift away from traditional European hosts, with new circuit president Jean Alesi admitting there is no “national will” for the event.

“We never had the honour of having the president of the Republic at the event,” said the former F1 driver.

“The presidents of other countries are honoured to have the event on their territory,” Alesi added.

However, while he said it would be an “honour” to sit down with president Emmanuel Macron, “I think he has other priorities”.

But behind the scenes, Domenicali has reportedly proposed that circuits like Paul Ricard may be able to return to the calendar with an alternating annual race spot shared with another European host.

“Maybe Spa or an Austrian GP or Imola will alternate with us,” Alesi said. “Everything is on the table.”

To that end, Domenicali said in Miami that he is open to talking face-to-face about the situation with president Macron.

“If president Macron wants to talk, I will be there,” he told the French sports daily L’Equipe.

The newspaper’s F1 correspondent Frederic Ferret said: “A great reader of this newspaper, Domenicali does not want to wipe our country off the F1 map, but he is asking for interlocutors that he has lost.

“If the French government was ready for discussions, it is clear that F1 would not say no to France, even if today the interest of the government or possible promoters does not seem great.”

Advertisement

Want to save this information for later?

More in News

Bruce Mclaren At The 1966 British Grand Prix

The Evolution Of F1 Cars: From 1950 To 2023

In this article, we will look at the evolution of ...
Lewis Hamilton Celebrates STEM Academy Success At The Mulberry Schools Trust

Lewis Hamilton Celebrates STEM Academy Success At The Mulberry Schools Trust

Lewis Hamilton paid a special visit to students from the ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Miami

Navigating The Ranks Of Formula 1 In The World Of Sports Entertainment

In the fast-paced world of Formula 1, where the roar ...
Why Do F1 Tracks Have Kerbs

Why Do F1 Tracks Have Kerbs?

Formula 1 tracks are carefully designed to challenge drivers and ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle