Historic French Grand Prix

The French Grand Prix has a long history: the very first “Grand Prix,” organized by the Automobile Club of France, dates back to 1906, held on closed roads near Le Mans—a foundational milestone for modern motor racing.

At Le Castellet, this history takes on a very distinctive tone with the Circuit Paul Ricard, created by Paul Ricard and inaugurated on April 19, 1970. Designed from the outset as a benchmark in terms of infrastructure and safety, the site quickly became an ideal venue for Formula 1. The French Grand Prix settled there as early as 1971, and the circuit went on to host a total of 14 editions between 1971 and 1990. The layout became famous for the Mistral straight and the fast Signes curve, both of which built Le Castellet’s reputation for speed.

The return of the French Grand Prix to Le Castellet marks a major modern milestone: on June 24, 2018, Formula 1 returned to the Circuit Paul Ricard, with significant upgrades for hosting (grandstands, media center, paddocks). The site also highlights the symbolic significance of this comeback, 28 years after the last edition at Paul Ricard. The event continued over several recent editions, including the one held on July 24, 2022, at Le Castellet.

What sets the “Grand Prix du Castellet” apart is its rare combination: a circuit born in the heart of Provence that has become a technical benchmark, and a race that gives the French Grand Prix a highly distinctive identity.

At Le Castellet, the Grand Prix is renowned for combining historic moments with a very distinctive circuit signature. Paul Ricard entered the legend as early as 1971 with its first F1 race, and quickly established itself as a speed-focused venue thanks to the Mistral straight and the fast curves that defined the turbo era, featuring top speeds that remain legendary. In terms of sporting history, fans also recall key highlights, such as Alain Prost’s victory in 1983 and the symbolic final edition in 1990 before the French GP moved to another location