In June, Stefano Domenical announced that Nice could become the new French host of the French Grand Prix. The project will not come to fruition.
A month ago, Stefano Domenical, created a surprise in the pages of L’Equipe. The president of Formula 1 announced that Nice was entering negotiations to become the new French host of the French Grand Prix:
“You may not be aware, but there is an incredible project in Nice that wants a Grand Prix. It’s great because it proves that other destinations in your country are interested in F1… All I can tell you is that by the end of July, you will know more about the future of your Grand Prix.”
The Mayor of the Riviera capital commented with pleasure on this statement by the F1 boss to our colleagues at Nice-Matin:
“Indeed, lately, Nice is at the center of all interests as a destination for organizing the most prestigious sporting events, declares the mayor of Nice. One day, we talk about the arrival of the Tour de France, another about hosting the French GP of F1… This weekend, when we are hosting the two semi-finals of the Top 14, it is nice to be enviable rather than pitiable. It’s a great encouragement for the local economy and the dynamism of our traders, restaurateurs, and hoteliers.”
A meeting between the two men and the director of the French Grand Prix, Éric Boullier, was therefore planned this month to discuss the project. But this weekend, Christian Estrosi threw a cold blanket in this time of heatwave:
“I will fight with all my strength for the French GP to continue at Paul-Ricard, it is out of the question for it to be organized in Nice. We have a permanent circuit at Le Castellet and an organization that works. We have large cities nearby for accommodation, we have a handle on the mobility issue.”
Although F1 fans from the Riviera are surely disappointed, a portion of the inhabitants of the Riviera capital like the Ecologist Group and the Citizen Collective 06 had already mobilized against this project. A petition was created during Domenical’s announcement.
