Pierre Gosselin, the newly elected president of French motorsport, has expressed his ambition to restore the French Grand Prix and reintroduce the World Rally Championship (WRC) to France. Speaking to Le Figaro Sport on Monday, Gosselin emphasized the importance of hosting a Grand Prix in the country, noting that despite the race being absent from the 2023 calendar, he remains hopeful about its return. He firmly believes that organizing the event is feasible, indicating a proactive approach to reintegrating France into the global motorsport scene.
The last time the French Grand Prix took place was in 2022 at the Paul Ricard circuit, and Gosselin recognizes that securing government support will be crucial to the project's success. He highlighted the necessity of state financial guarantees, stating, "Without state financial guarantees, no project can succeed." However, he admitted that there is currently no commitment from the government, which poses a challenge to his plans. Gosselin is acutely aware of the financial hurdles and the evolving dynamics within Formula 1, where the sport's focus appears to be shifting away from Europe.
In addition to the Grand Prix, Gosselin is also keen on bringing the World Rally Championship back to France, an event that last took place in 2019 with the Corsica Rally. He proudly noted that France has a rich rally heritage, bolstered by the achievements of legendary drivers like Sébastien Ogier and Sébastien Loeb. His goal is to ensure that France reestablishes its presence on the WRC calendar, reflecting the nation's deep connection to rallying.
Gosselin's tenure comes at a challenging time for French motorsport, especially with Renault's recent announcement to cease engine supply for Alpine by the end of 2025, which he described as a "serious setback." Nonetheless, he expressed an understanding of the industrial logic behind this decision, indicating his intent to navigate these challenges effectively as he seeks to revitalize motorsport in France.
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