French GP set for 2018 return

[bulla003]

What are your thoughts on the French GP set to return in 2018?

[ukaskew]

Given that Germany probably won't have a GP soon, it's great news for Brits as it's another race relatively close and easy to travel to (as well as Spa).

Will be good to see the abrasive strips in use as well to combat off-road excursions, I was hoping they would roll it out at circuits for F1 now we've lost gravel, so this will be a good experiment.

[Eric Mc]

About time. They invented the concept of a Grand Prix in the first place.

[anonymous-user]

bulla003 said:

What are your thoughts on the French GP set to return in 2018?

The huge plus is that it will not be held at the terrible Magny-Cours circuit.

The negative is the owner of Le Castellet - also known as the Circuit Paul Ricard

Ecclestone's family trust owns the track but the 86-year-old said: "It's nothing to do with them at all. I think they are renting it to the people that are going to be the promoters."

Nothing to do with him yet he will be making a fortune.

Unbelievable

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 2nd December 13:01

[coppice]

Of course they should have a Grand Prix for the reason Eric mentions; also because Renault has powered significant parts of the grid for decades (and also had the balls to shake up the establishment with the '77 turbo V6); and because they have provided so many Grand Prix drivers.

None of these things can be said of Azerbaijan, home of the soi disant European Grand Prix 2016.

[anonymous-user]

But Paul Ricard........

[Mattygooner]

Eric Mc said:

About time. They invented the concept of a Grand Prix in the first place.

This, can't believe it has taken them this long.

Not a huge fan of Paul Ric though but where else? Bugatti isn't big enough or that great to watch (mate said it is good to drive though), Magny-Cours? don't know how well it is kept, think they use it in Super Bikes, Dijon still going?

[hairyben]

About time. Terrible that with record-long seasons we cant find room for the sports heritage and founders

[MitchT]

What's the betting that they'll ruin the wonderful white knuckle 'Signes' bend by putting a chicane at the end of the 'Mistral' straight?

[WelshChris]

Mattygooner said:

Not a huge fan of Paul Ric though but where else? Bugatti isn't big enough or that great to watch (mate said it is good to drive though), Magny-Cours? don't know how well it is kept, think they use it in Super Bikes, Dijon still going?

Reims - Now that would be fun

[binnerboy]

I am glad it isn't mangy-cours as , if I remember correctly, the only overtaking done at that circuit was done in the pits, an utterly tedious race to watch.

I could be wrong of course

[FourWheelDrift]

Gives me a headache just looking at it.

[coppice]

Clermont Ferrand please - but Helmut Marko might not relish a return (he lost sight in one eye in '72 GP there)

[Eric Mc]

How about Rheims?

They still have the pits there

(Although not much good without old style lap timers at work on the pit counters)

[FourWheelDrift]

http://theracingline.net/racingcircuits/France/ind...

Umm, how about......bringing back the 1984 Paris proposal - http://theracingline.net/racingcircuits/France/Par...

[768]

FourWheelDrift said:

Gives me a headache just looking at it.

Yeah, that place makes Yas Marina look sophisticated.

[Etretat]

ukaskew said:

Given that Germany probably won't have a GP soon, it's great news for Brits as it's another race relatively close and easy to travel to (as well as Spa).

.

Yes, only 688 miles from Calais according to Google

[KevinCamaroSS]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

The huge plus is that it will not be held at the terrible Magny-Cours circuit.

The negative is the owner of Le Castellet - also known as the Circuit Paul Ricard

Ecclestone's family trust owns the track but the 86-year-old said: "It's nothing to do with them at all. I think they are renting it to the people that are going to be the promoters."

Nothing to do with him yet he will be making a fortune.

Unbelievable

Edited by ELUSIVEJIM on Friday 2nd December 13:01

Indeed, so he has managed to get double the money by renting it out to some poor gullible f00l who will pay to rent, then pay again to host. It is a genuine win/win. But only for Bernie.

[NJK44]

Of all the French circuits they could've chosen, they chose that? Shame on them. Boring track with no obvious overtaking points.

It's as if Bernie wants F1 to burn to the ground.

[hairyben]

Does paul Ricard have the "facilities" so demanded by bernie for every other track?