F1 heading back to Paul Ricard in 2018

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It looks like France may be getting its slot back on the Formula 1 calendar with soon to be released news that the Circuit Paul Ricard will be hosting the French GP starting in 2018.

A five-year contract binding the French organizers to FOM has apparently been agreed and should be announced at a press conference scheduled at the headquarters of the Automobile Club de France in Paris next Monday.

It is understood that a group linked to the PACA Regional Council of France (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) led by its President, Christian Estrosi, has been actively working in the past year on bringing the race to Southern France's historic motorsport venue.

It is said that McLaren racing director Eric Boullier was consulted by the group which also included Paul Ricard manager Stéphane Clair.

No date has yet been allocated for the race, obviously, but it looks set to be scheduled towards the end of August, between the Belgian and Italian Grand Prix.

As a reminder, the Circuit Paul Ricard, located about 40km north of Marseilles, hosted the French GP fourteen times between 1971 and 1990.

The track was sold to Bernie Ecclestone in 1999, and rebuilt into an advanced testing facility thereafter.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.