French GP organisers working on event's future rotation status

The French Grand Prix is set to fall off Formula 1's calendar in 2023, but the race's organisers hope to maintain Paul Ricard's presence on the schedule in the future by relying on a rotation system.

Earlier this week, in a call with the media, Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said that discussions with the organisers of the French Grand Prix regarding the future of their event were ongoing.

While suggesting that the race had fallen off the calendar for next year, the Italian alluded to the race's status beyond 2023.

"We are talking with the French federation and with the government because as you know, more and more the future of Formula One also is related to promoters that see that as investment for the country and for the community," Domenicali said.

"The discussions are very open...a possibility, not next year but in the future, could be also to find a sort of rotational proposition that would enable everyone to be part of the calendar."

The French Grand Prix organizers took note of the F1 chief's comments and issued a statement on Thursday.

"The Formula 1 French Grand Prix takes note of recent statements made by Stefano Domenicali, President of Formula 1, regarding its absence from the calendar for the 2023 season," read the latter.

"After the great success of its 2022 edition, the French Grand Prix, Formula 1 and all the stakeholders of the Grand Prix continue to work together on the presence of this event in the calendar for years to come, and in particular on a rotation system.

"The Formula 1 French Grand Prix would like to thank its clients, all the administrators from its GIP, the Circuit Paul Ricard and all its partners for their unfailing support."

• Read also: Spa may retain its slot on 2023 F1 calendar - Domenicali

Paul Ricard, the historical home of the French Grand Prix, has struggled in recent years to hold its own on the calendar as a popular destination for competitors and fans alike.

In June, Domenicali revealed that the southern France coastal city of Nice had put itself on the ranks to host an F1 street race, an effort the Italian described at the time as "an amazing project".

While the F1 boss vowed to have a close look at Nice's application, there has been no update on the latter since.

Many believed that Domenicali publicized Nice's plans to pressure nearby Monaco which has yet to secure its own future on the sport's calendar. However, he later denied the latter.

"We just want to have great races, that's what we want," he said. "We always look: there are a lot of people interested in holding a race, and we look at the alternatives."

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