Ocon criticises possible exit of the French GP from the F1 calendar

The contract for the current French Grand Prix expires after this weekend's round at Circuit Paul Ricard, which has often received criticism for being a dull race where drivers abuse track limits. With several other venues interested in joining the F1 calendar, the French Grand Prix is under threat.

Esteban Ocon is looking forward to racing again in his home country, home of the next round of the Formula 1 World Championship. However, the French driver is aware that it could be his last race there, as the race at Paul Ricard is in serious danger of being removed from the category calendar in 2023. When asked about the matter, the Alpine driver was keen to make his opinion clear: The French Grand Prix must go on.

"Obviously, there is nothing confirmed yet," Ocon told RMC Sport channel. "I've heard a lot of rumours and things about the French GP. I really don't know about the Belgian GP. But I saw a great comment made by Stefano [Domenicali], basically saying that France deserves to have a race in the future. That is my opinion as well, that is what I believe," he said.

Can Nice host a Grand Prix in the future?

Ocon is referring to the recent comment made by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who suggested that a race could be held in Nice and thus keep the country on the calendar.

The Alpine driver recalls that F1 has many fans in France. "There is a big motorsport community in France, we have some of the biggest and best cars as well. We could find a race if Paul Ricard is not on the calendar. We could find a race anywhere, and I saw some comments from Domenicali about that, so I was very happy to see that," concludes the Frenchman.