Laffite: “a mistake” not to organize a F1 Grand Prix in France
Jacques Laffite believes that a Formula 1 Grand Prix should be organized in Magny-Cours considering the benefits such an event brings. But he also knows that without the help of the State or the Region, nothing can be done.
France has not hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix for five years this year, with the last one taking place on June 22, 2008, at the Nevers-Magny-Cours circuit. There has often been talk of a possible return of F1 in recent years, either on the Nevers track or on the Paul-Ricard circuit in the south of France, but without success so far.
Jacques Laffite – former F1 driver who participated in 176 Grand Prix – expressed to the Journal du Centre that the return of F1 to France is unlikely given the current lack of interest from the State or regions: « A return (of F1) to Magny-Cours? No, I don’t believe it. If there is no governmental or regional will, a Grand Prix cannot be organized. It would be a mistake to do so because it would be a financial loss. In any case, Nevers had to pay, well I don’t know, or the region, for the Grand Prix deficit. »
But Laffite also believes that we should not dwell on this financial deficit issue because a Formula 1 Grand Prix attracts a lot of people, which benefits the local economy: « A Grand Prix brings in 80,000 people who fill the scene here. […] It’s a financial contribution to a region that is exceptional. »
« It’s a mistake not to organize this in a region like Nevers. It’s vital for the merchants, » adds the former Williams, Ligier, and Talbot driver, before citing the example of Canada – which did not host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2009 and estimated the financial loss to its economy during that year without F1: « When we didn’t go to Canada four years ago, they calculated it was a loss of 92 million dollars. »
