Paul Ricard seeking a contract extension with F1

The promoters of the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard are already seeking an extension to their current five-year deal with Formula 1.

The event returned to the F1 calendar this year after a ten-year absence and was deemed a success by Christian Estrosi, the president of the GIG Grand Prix de France organizing company.

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"The EUR 68 million of revenue we wanted was achieved so the return on investment has been successful," said Estrosi, speaking in Paris yesterday.

The race weekend was blighted by horrendous traffic problems in and out of the circuit, but Estrosi ensured that the problems would be sustainably fixed if the event's long-term future could be secured.

"Before we discuss road infrastructure, we need to ensure a sustainable presence," he told Auto Hebdo.

"We need a longer secure period and are discussing a contract of 8 to 10 years. We cannot build highways for the 2019 season," he added.

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