France has always been a motorsports country. Partly the organisation of racing events or because of the rise of so many champions, France is brimming with racing resources, both in terms of tracks and renowned racing drivers.
Formula 1 is the most publicised motorsport in the country. The French fondly hold on to several racing champions and legendary places.
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Alain Prost, French F1 legend
The number one motorsport through its celebrated publicity, the Formula 1 has had quite a few moments of glory in France. Following on from the great pioneering Argentinian Fangio, a French man broke away from the pack in the 1980s. Alain Prost has taken out four World Championship titles, battling against a rivalry with the two greatest Brazilian racing car drivers, Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet.
Racing for for McLaren, then Williams, Alain Prost remains the number two racing driver in history even today, with those four Grand Prix victories.
With a total of 51 wins, only the legendary Michel Schumacher exceeds his achievements. ‘The Professor’, as he is known in France, Prost is a national celebrity whose exacerbated rivalry with Ayrton Senna and fits of rage will remain in French memories. He is still the only French Formula 1 World Champion.
Other great French racing drivers include Maurice Trintignant, fourth in 1955 when Fangio was still building his legendary status; René Arnoux, third in 1983; Jacques Lafitte with six victories and more recently, Romain Grosjean who is capable of firing up the great champions of today.
The French Grand Prix is no longer
Formula 1 found its place in the great surroundings of France and Monaco. The French Grand Prix was first held in 1950 and took place until 2008 at Magny-Cours, Reims or on the Paul-Ricard circuit in Var. Alain Prost took part on six occasions.
Despite a strong tradition of motorsport in France and the French Grand Prix being included in the World Championship calendar for decades, the French Grand Prix is no longer. Due to lack of funding, faced with pressures from emerging powers (China, Bahrain etc.) and because of cigarette advertising issues, France has lost a major event in its sporting calendar. Several attempts have been made to re-establish the competition in France; all unsuccessful.
The second Grand Prix, certainly more famous for its authenticity, its beauty and its history, is the renowned circuit of Monaco that runs through the heart of the town. Registered as part of the first World Championship in 1950, there has only been three years in which the race hasn’t taken place in the Principality: in 1951, 1953 and 1954. The course is one of the temples of the Formula 1 with its sharp turns, the infamous tunnel, the magnificent views of the marina. And of course, the stars who flock to Monaco to indulge in the associated events in the hotels and yachts nearby.
Change of broadcaster in France
France was able to preserve the tradition of the Formula 1, by televising the event free to air until 2013. Since 1992 TF1 has televised the Grand Prix, but as of this year TF1 has lost the rights to motorsports to Canal Plus, a paid channel.
The French have always taken for granted the ability to watch the race or even just catch the start of it at 2pm, after the 1 o’clock news with Claire Chazal. After Alain Prost’s first three wins in 1985, 1986 and 1989, the sport found a home inside the hearts of millions of viewers who were able to take part in the last coronation of ‘the Professor’ in 1993.
What is your favourite memory and who is your favourite racing driver of the Formula 1?
Translation by Emily Arbuckle.
Image credits:
1. GP de France 1988, by Julien Reboulet via Flickr
2. Alain Prost (à gauche) et Ayrton Senna (centre) sur le même podium, by senna.org.br via Flickr
3. GP de France 1988, by Julien Reboulet via Flickr
4. Romain Grosjean, by Nicolas Garcia via Flickr