With only a few weeks to go before the start of the Formula 1 world championship, a statement by Flavio Briatore, executive consultant to the Alpine team, has rekindled an old debate: will there one day be a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Paris? While the idea appeals to a growing number of racing fans, it makes no sense to others, particularly environmentalists.
When will there be a Paris Grand Prix?
With just a few weeks to go before the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the various teams each unveiled their single-seaters at a presentation evening in London on February 18. On this occasion, Briatore announced his wish to see the return of the French Grand Prix. After Dijon-Prennois and Magny-Court, the event was previously held at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet, before being withdrawn from the calendar for the 2023 season. For the Italian boss, France must once again host the race, and Paris is the place to do it.
A statement that caused quite a stir, even though the subject was not on the table for the first time. While some are delighted at the idea of restoring France to its rightful place in the world of motor racing, the lack of infrastructure and the carbon footprint of such an event leaves others skeptical. First of all, there’s the question of where the race would take place. In this respect, the Île-de-France region has only small circuits, unsuitable for today’s single-seaters.
The idea would be to set up a semi-permanent circuit in or on the outskirts of the city, as is the case for a number of cities on the calendar. This option had already been undertaken four years in a row in the heart of the city, to host Formula E events. A scenario that would not go down well with environmentalists, who denounce the poor carbon footprint such a project would have, deploring the fact that concrete would be poured for just three days of racing.
In any case, no scenario is yet under consideration on the city’s side, and the issue is being sidelined…