Retour de la France

To follow on from my 'Profession of Doom' post, it now seems as though a return of Formula 1 to France is imminent!  Of course it won't be replacing a fly away race , but ironically instead will be alternating with Spa.  So we will be deprived every other year of the majestical drivers circuit that always shows where the real skill lies.  Why Spa?  If it has to be a European race why not Barcelona?  Due to the amount of testing that is done at the Circuit de Catalunya the drivers could drive it with their eyes closed, which might actually result in some action.

The only interesting thing to happen at Catalunya:  Schumacher's domination in rain soaked Barcelona earned him his maiden Ferrari victory in 1996.  


The Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet is to be used for the return to France.  Alain Prost took a hat trick of victories between 1988 and 1990 at the track.  The scene of a great battle between Prost and Senna in 1988, Prost eventually made good use of back markers to take the lead and victory.  This circuit has some history and may provide interesting racing, but is it worth the sacrifice of Spa? 

Grand Prix racing in France switched from Paul Ricard to Magny Cours in 1991.  The track was sold in 1999 and completely redeveloped, by whom?  Well, none other than Mr Bernie Ecclestone himself.  Surely this is not a coincidence...