Will French spectators experience their last Grand Prix de France on Sunday July 24? The contract which binds the Paul-Ricard circuit of Le Castellet to the organizers of F1 ends at the end of this weekend. As the renewed interest in France strengthens, a possible disappearance of France from the calendar could have consequences in France. Cyril Abiteboul, former boss of Renault and consultant for franceinfo: sport,
Franceinfo: sport: How is the renewed appeal of Formula 1 in France explained?
Cyril Abiteboul: The renewed interest is not limited to France, it is global and confirmed by TV audience figures in all countries and by ticket sales. A combination of factors explains it. Series Drive to Survive from Netflix was an important element. The platform was able to build a narrative that allowed the public to understand all the complexity of F1, and to realize a certain form of beauty and elegance that there is in a sport that, otherwise, may seem quite boring, futile and superficial.
There are also new, intense sporting fights, with Mercedes’ domination being undermined this year. I think F1 managed to create a whole narrative around vehicle technology, but with very humanized combat. Moreover, the automobile has once again become worthy of interest, in particular thanks to the challenges of climate and energy transition, the emergence of new players who represent modernity. I am thinking in particular of Tesla. Thereby, the automobile has become cool again and, by extension, motorsport has become cool again.
Looking good in Le Castellet!
Who’s ready for some track action? #FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/JAssorGCXS
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 22, 2022
In addition, at our level, we have a good French presence, with Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, and even Charles Leclerc, who is French-speaking. Finally, in France, F1 also had to rebuild its notoriety when it moved from TF1, a free-to-air media, to Canal+, a paid media.
However, the French GP could stop in 2023. Why?
This is indeed what we hear, and I can only regret it. Again, there are several parameters. The Castellet website [circuit Paul-Ricard], which is exceptional, is difficult to access, although we did not wait for F1 to realize this. This requires efforts on the part of authorities, athletes, teams and spectators. I think a lot of progress has been made. At a time when we are talking about changes in use, efforts and concessions, I find that favoring public transport and carpooling offers are concessions that should be acceptable.
“This circuit had a bit of bad luck. The first year was organized in a rush, then the second year was disrupted by insane thunderstorms, which made access and exit even more complicated.”
Cyril Abiteboul, former boss of Renaultat franceinfo: sport
After two years of Covid-19, the organizers must, this year, take into account the risk of fires. Furthermore, organizing a GP turns out to be a complicated economic equation, which is difficult to hold completely independently. Otherwise, it would mean offering ticket prices that are just unacceptable. The alternative lies in public funding which, in the current circumstances, is difficult to justify.
More generally, we can observe that F1 has a desire for growth, to move towards new markets and territories. She is beginning to ask herself questions about the evolution of her economic model. Previously, it demanded a guaranteed income from the organizers of the Grands Prix, but it is in the process of pivoting, accepting a share of risks and gains shared with them, on the new model of the GP of Miami.
What does France represent for the bosses of F1?
In the economy of F1, France has an important role. Renault is a major player, all of the F2 and F3 championships are powered by a French company. There are many French pilots and sponsors. So it’s a pity.
But history is made of eternal restarts. F1 left France for years before returning. So I can’t imagine that she wouldn’t find a solution to come back, if France finally had to leave the calendar in 2023. Its participation is much more pronounced than other countries. I think that in this respect, a certain number of economic players will at some point remind F1 decision-makers of the existence of France. But maybe we should leave each other for to be able, and to have the pleasure, to meet again, perhaps under different conditions.
What would be the consequences in France of the disappearance of the F1 GP?
Forget how you organize an event of this magnitude. There is a whole economic fabric behind it. All the actors involved have learned and progressed. When we stop, we lose what we have learned. The day we start again, we go through this same apprenticeship.
I don’t think F1 will lose fans because we lose the GP. There are enough media to keep it alive. But it will be necessary to rebuild the entire economic fabric around the organization. This will not necessarily happen after a year without a GP in France. But from the age of two, we are already beginning to lose the momentum of accumulated talents and skills enormously.