Yahoo Finance Formula One returns to France in 2018
The Formula One World Championship will return to France in 2018 after a 10-year hiatus.
The return of the French Grand Prix was confirmed on Monday during a press conference organized by the Automobile Club de France.
Organizers have managed to secure a five-year contract for the race, which will be held at Circuit Paul Ricard located near Marseille. The track, which features distinctive blue runoff areas, is controlled by none other than Bernie Ecclestone.
The French Grand Prix is one of the oldest car races in the world and the first to garner the title of grand prix, French for “grand prize.” It was last held in 2008, which incidentally was the event’s centennial.
Circuit Paul Ricard has hosted 14 French Grands Prix between 1971 and 1990 and is often used for testing during the winter break. More recently, the race was held at Magny Cours.
We’re still a year out from the release of the 2018 F1 calendar but organizers of the French Grand Prix have indicated that the race will be held in the summer. Hopefully it doesn’t end up permanently supplanting the German Grand Prix, which was dropped from the 2017 calendar after organizers failed to reach a deal over hosting fees.
