Just over 100 days before the French Grand Prix, Formula 1, adorned in the yellow and black colors of the Renault team, made a temporary stop in Nice for the weekend. Along the Bay of Angels, racing legends Alain Prost and Nico Hülkenberg revved up the engines of their racing machines.
After a ten-year absence, the French GP is back on the calendar of the most prestigious motorsport competition. It will take place on the Paul Ricard Circuit (Le Castellet, Var) on June 24, 2018, twenty-eight years after its last iteration. “I’m delighted,” says Alain Prost. “This event highlights France both locally and internationally.”
To promote the event, the French manufacturer set up a paddock in front of the Théâtre de Verdure from Saturday to Sunday. The program included an entertainment village featuring an exhibition of two F1 models, an information booth on Grand Prix ticketing, an autograph session, and to top it all off, a driving session of approximately two kilometers performed by Renault drivers Alain Prost (1981-1983) and Nico Hülkenberg (since 2017).
A driving demonstration in pouring rain
“The Professor,” four-time world champion, donned his racing suit to tame the RE40, the historic single-seater with which he claimed victory in 1983 on the old Castellet track. “It was an incredible win,” recalls the native of Lorette (Loire), nostalgically. “At that time, I felt unbeatable, so getting behind the wheel of this car undoubtedly brings back good memories that are forever etched in my memory.” Meanwhile, the German made the Lotus-Renault E20 from 2012 roar to life.
The 2018/2019 season can finally begin
On the Barcelona circuit, the two weeks of winter testing have just concluded. “Overall, everything went well. We learned a lot and made progress,” acknowledges Nico Hülkenberg. “The team seems quite satisfied with these different sessions, but we must continue to improve the car to minimize the gap with the leading teams.” During these tests, the car manufacturer broke the record for laps completed in a single day, totaling 190.
All eyes are now on Australia, specifically Melbourne, where the first GP of the season will take place from March 22 to 25. A little more patience before the lights go out!
Solène FALAISE
