Tickets on sale for first French F1 in a decade
Spectator tickets are now on sale for the first French Formula 1 Grand Prix race in 10 years, set to be held at Le Castellet circuit near Marseille.
The race - which travels around the world and takes place in a different country about every two weeks during the racing season - will visit France from June 22-24 this year.
Tickets are now available to buy online.
The event will take place at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Var, which has been completely renovated in preparation. It last held the event in 1990 but was used for a long time as an official testing circuit.
On its official Twitter account, Grand Prix France F1 celebrated the news.
It quoted four-times World Champion UK driver Lewis Hamilton as saying: “France has always loved racing and has a big tradition in this field. I am very happy to be back. J’aime la France!”
Three French drivers are racing this year: Romain Grosjean, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
On Twitter, Romain Grosjean added his support for the race’s return to France, saying: “I’m so happy for all the fans who will have their Grand Prix, and who will be able to come and support us!”
France was one of the seven founding races in the first Formula 1 World Championship in 1950, and from 1991 to 2008, the French event was held at the Nevers Magny-Cours circuit (Nièvre).
Yet, several countries have struggled to maintain their Formula 1 races in recent years, as costs continue to rise: Germany was forced to drop out of the circuit last year, but is celebrating a return to the tour for 2018.
The 21-race 2018 season began on Sunday, in Melbourne.
As well as international destinations China, Azerbaijan, Singapore, Canada, Japan, Abu Dhabi and Brazil, its European pit-stops will also include the UK, Monaco, Spain, Austria, Belgium, and Italy.
