Todt wants France to get its Grand Prix back
If he acknowledges that he is not the one to decide on the return of the French Grand Prix, Jean Todt admits he is ready to give "a little final push" if necessary.
In an interview with the Journal du Dimanche, André Maes, director of the Spa Grand Prix company, left the door open to a possible alternation between the Belgian Grand Prix and a potential French Grand Prix, which has not appeared on the Formula One calendar since Felipe Massa’s victory in 2008.
Asked about this by Jean-Louis Moncet, for LCI & TF1, Jean Todt confides: « As the president of the FIA, I am not directly involved in the organization of the French Grand Prix, although as a Frenchman, I would like France to regain its place in the calendar. I know that many people are involved in trying to find a positive solution, particularly at the highest level of government, but for now, we must let the main interlocutors deal with the issue… and if a final little push is needed, we will give it… I have indeed heard about the possibility of alternation, but completely unofficially. Therefore, I do not have the elements to comment further ».
The President of the International Automobile Federation had already had the opportunity, in the past, to speak in favor of the return of the French Grand Prix, in an interview with leparisien.fr last November: “I would love the return of a French Grand Prix, but the French Federation of Automobile Sport would need to agree with a promoter and the government,” said the former director of Scuderia Ferrari and Peugeot Sport, also suggesting that the repercussions “could be much greater than we can imagine.”
Since 2008, many projects have indeed been mentioned in Versailles, Sarcelles, Disneyland, Flins, or even Rouen, but have remained unfulfilled, and today, a return to Magny-Cours or Paul Ricard remains the only credible short-term alternatives.
