Alesi wants GP France to return: 'Then happiest man in the world'

Jean Alesi is the new director of the Circuit Paul Ricard. The former Formula One driver told opposite Motorsport.com the fervent wish that the French Grand Prix will soon return to the motorsport class' calendar, although he likewise understands that it will be difficult.

Formula 1 has been facing a lot of interest in hosting race weekends for several years now, so it had to make a choice last year. The weekend in France fell out partly because of this. It is a choice that Alesi deeply regrets.

"The problem with Formula 1 in France is not with the circuit, it’s with the politics," he notes. "It’s probably the only F1 Grand Prix that’s never had a president come to watch it – except for at Magny-Cours once, when [Francois] Mitterrand attended as part of his political wish for the race to be there."

Alesi looks at French politics

Alesi, however, is not giving up. As the brand-new boss of the circuit, he hopes, as a Frenchman, to make sure that there is enthusiasm and Formula 1 can be admired again in his homeland in a few years' time. He plans to knock on President Emmanuel Macron's door for that.

"Of course, part of my new role will be to send a letter, to request a meeting with the president of France, but I don’t know if this will happen. If it happens, and we can get the French GP back, I would be the happiest man in the world!"