Stefano Domenicali confirms that Nice has applied for a Formula 1 race: This would not only involve Le Castellet, but also neighbouring Monaco
Will there soon be a French Grand Prix in the streets of Nice? This is the variant that Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali has put into play, revealing that the southern French city has a “fantastic project” and would love to have a Formula One race.
This puts two other current tracks in jeopardy of falling out of the Formula One calendar anyway: Le Castellet, where the premier class has held the French Grand Prix again since 2018, and also Monaco, which is less than 20 kilometres from Nice as the crow flies.
“We will look at the bids and examine them carefully,” Domenicali told the French newspaper ‘L’Equipe’, describing France as an “important nation in motorsport”. A decision has not yet been made, but the Italian announced that the future of the French Grand Prix should be clarified by the end of July.
Possibly, a possible race in France could be held in rotation in the future – for example, alternating with Belgium, whose contract is also expiring. This is because more and more tracks are pushing their way into the calendar, so that there is simply no room for many old venues.
Las Vegas and Qatar have already been confirmed as new races for 2023, and China is also set to return after a three-year hiatus. And Kyalami in South Africa may also host another race next year.
“30 races would not be reasonable,” says Domenicali, putting the preferred number of races at “23 or 24” per season. “But to achieve that, we have to work with the principle of rotation – not only in Europe, but also in other countries,” says the Formula One boss.
