Traffic and access to the circuit, a major issue in the organization of Paul Ricard
After the first Grand Prix days, a controversy is already emerging regarding access to the circuit. Although the organizers anticipated the arrival of 65,000 people for the return of Formula 1 in France, they were nevertheless overwhelmed by its popular success and the crowd around the circuit, with "nightmarish" situations for some fans.
“The organization is a joke!” a spectator tells us when we ask him about his visit to the circuit. “Five hours to cover twenty kilometers, and the parking we paid €45 for during the reservation is not accessible,” he protests.
The anger is palpable within the Fan Zone and the various circuit lanes regarding the organization of the circuit.
The road network, made up of small routes from the highway, became completely saturated towards the Circuit du Castellet. A 10 km traffic jam was even reported on National Road 8 between Toulon and the racetrack.
Despite the planning by the authorities of a large one-way triangle bordering the circuit, the system did not have the desired result, thus forcing the traffic authorities to unblock roads and parking areas.
“On a posé la voiture et on s’est mis à marcher”: la colère des spectateurs du Grand Prix de Formule 1 bloqués dans les bouchonshttps://t.co/lhA9CzgPoK pic.twitter.com/jAJCNaCiVl
— Var-matin (@Var_Matin) 22 juin 2018
Informations concernant l’accès au #GPFranceF1 pic.twitter.com/LUviM4OfWl
— Venir au Grand Prix de France (@Venir_GPFrance) 22 juin 2018
Another local spectator puts it into perspective and admits feeling lucky to have found a path along the open roads to reach the vicinity of the circuit: « Thankfully, we knew the neighborhood a bit, because we found a path that saved us. As a result, we paid for a parking spot that we didn’t use. »
Some spectators, having opted for the 3-day pass, even had to turn back due to the difficulties separating them from the Paul Ricard circuit: « I took two and a half hours coming from La Ciotat instead of twenty minutes and my cousin coming from Paris for the event and staying in Toulon turned back after being stuck in his car for an hour ».
Other drivers also had to follow the first practice session on their mobile phones inside their cars.
C’est juste une blague… 500€ pour avoir les 3 jours… et on regarde les essais libres 1 dans la voiture sur myCANAL…#GPFranceF1 #laf1surcanal pic.twitter.com/rgCM49cMyh
— Dang-Khoa LE (@dkle69) 22 juin 2018
If the difficulties have led to a general movement of dissatisfaction regarding access, satisfaction nevertheless remains concerning the circuit’s infrastructure and available equipment.
“It’s a blessing in disguise,” this spectator tells us. “We have everything here—entertainment, water, restrooms—the dining areas are well spaced, we don’t have to walk too much, we’re not disappointed.”
Un beau spectacle #WarmUpVarMatin #PaulRicardTrack #GPFranceF1 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/XcVr9UrlTd
— Var-matin (@Var_Matin) 22 juin 2018
The authorities were able to react relatively quickly to improve access to the circuit for the next two days. Indeed, these days are expected to be even busier with the qualifications on Saturday and of course the race on Sunday.
Thus, the Prefect of Var, in conjunction with the organization of the Circuit, has implemented new directives for the weekend:
– L’ouverture de l’ensemble des parkings simultanément soit 25 000 places
– L’ouverture temporairement des lignes de trafic aux abords du circuit Paul Ricard (la circulation en sens unique n’ayant à priori pas fonctionné comme espéré)
The organization also advises avoiding the 10 am to 1 pm time slot, which is particularly busy.
From our special correspondent in Castellet
