expenses that raise questions

In 2018, Formula 1 (F1) made its return to France after 28 years of absence. Christian Estrosi, the president (Horizons) of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and mayor of Nice (Alpes-Maritimes), led the project. For the occasion, a public interest group (GIP) was created. Christian Estrosi became its president. He managed to bring together a large number of local authorities, who agreed to finance the race. But after just four Grands Prix, it all came to an end. The circuit at Castellet (Var) was not profitable enough for the big bosses of F1. There remains a debt of 32 million euros, which taxpayers will have to pay.

Some elected officials refuse to pay

The debt must be paid off by local authorities. Problem: some elected officials refuse to pay, like Jean-Louis Masson, president (Les Républicains) of the Var departmental council. He took legal action. The Marseille prosecutor’s office (Bouches-du-Rhône) has opened a preliminary investigation for misappropriation of public funds and favoritism. Christelle d’Intorni, MP (LR), advisor to the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and opponent of Christian Estrosi, accessed the account books after an administrative appeal. She mentions expenses that “raise questions”.

She notably noted a three-day trip to the United Arab Emirates in 2017, on the occasion of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in which the mayor of Nice and Renaud Muselier, the president of the Southern region, took part, for a total cost of 71,355 euros. The MP listed numerous stays in hotels in French ski resorts. The Grand Prix management disputes any wrongdoing.