The investigation into the management of the French Grand Prix is still ongoing

It’s a sensitive issue that has been concerning the French Riviera for several years. The French Grand Prix used to have a contract with the Circuit Paul Ricard between 2018 and 2022. It couldn’t be renewed due to financial stakes and the lack of attractiveness of the French Grand Prix compared to other circuits on the calendar.

32 million euros of debts, left after only four editions of the Grand Prix de France. A colossal amount that has sparked numerous reactions. The officials who granted the funding wonder where these millions have gone? “I cannot accept giving public money, taxpayers’ money, without knowing why there is such a deficit,” said Jean-Louis Masson, president (LR) of the Var Departmental Council to France 3 PACA. They suspect, among other things, issues with human resources salary.

Beyond the financial problem, the actions of the Public Interest Group (GIP) have been singled out. This group, chaired by the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, aimed to finance the French Grand Prix. On March 1, 2022, Christophe Mirmand, prefect of the PACA region, approved its dissolution. The prefect relied on two letters from Christian Estrosi, in which he mentioned persistent obvious dysfunctions. This marks the end of the group created in 2017 at the initiative of Christian Estrosi, which allowed the French GP to return the following year with an edition at Le Castellet in 2018.

An open investigation

An investigation was therefore opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office last September after allegations of favoritism, misappropriation of public funds, and concealment. According to Eric Boullier, general manager of the GIP, the management of the GIP is not in question, he stated on BFMTV.

He responded to accusations from Christelle d’Intorni, LR deputy of the 5th district of Alpes-Maritimes, who pointed out costly expenses outside the field of sport. They are justified, they are legal. We have proven it, and we can prove it again. It is important to know that we are in a state of law, that there are processes and regular controls, auditors, and we have even been audited twice by the regional inspectorate of finance.

Two audits were ordered by the board of the GIP of the Grand Prix de France, to external firms, in order to clarify things. The confidential conclusions were only presented to the elected officials. According to the mayor of Nice, no anomaly was observed and the accusations must stop.

A debt that remains to be settled

Éric Boullier indicates that a large portion of the debt has been settled thanks to the region and the Nice-Côte d’Azur Metropolis, which reimbursed 12 million, along with the Nice Metropolis (5 million), the Var department, the Toulon Metropolis, and the Sainte-Baume conurbation. Therefore, there are still around 15 million euros to write off. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, led by Renaud Muselier, has ordered an audit to detail the expenses and understand this debt; meanwhile, he refuses to pay.

During this interview, the former CEO of the GIP is outraged that only the positive points of the French Formula 1 Grand Prix are not being highlighted. “It’s a shame today that we only talk about that.”

He recalls: « The French Formula 1 Grand Prix was one of the biggest French sporting events with international renown and that in 5 years it generated hundreds of millions of euros in economic benefits for everything that was local activity and in the region.