Ten years has been a long time, but never say never, as the famous saying goes! The French Grand Prix is making a return to the Formula 1 (F1) calendar after a long hiatus -- in the F1 calendar 2018. Christian Estrosi, president of the regional authority of Provence and the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera), made the highly-anticipated announcement on Monday in Paris.
Le Castellet -- the famous racing track in Var -- which hosted the Formula 1 races between 1971 and 1990, remains the circuit for the 2018 race. The French Grand Prix took place smoothly between 1950 and 2008 and although not confirmed, the French Grand Prix 2018 is likely to be held at the end of July.
"It was a real pain losing the Grand Prix in 2008," Estrosi mentioned in the presser, as quoted by L'Equipe. "But today I can tell you clearly, firmly and permanently that the Grand Prix of France will make its return. And we are proud to announce the grand return ten years later."
Estrosi also confirmed having a meeting with Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone as well as Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) President Jean Todt on November 16 in Geneva to discuss the possibility of bringing F1 back to France after a 10-year hiatus.
"Two weeks later [after the meeting], we received his [Todt's] letter of appointment. The Grand Prix will take place from summer 2018, and the agreement is five years," Estrosi mentioned.
Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, who raced his last at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2016, had won the last edition of the French Grand Prix in 2008, while riding for Ferrari.
