6
Four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has stated his thoughts on the return of the French Grand Prix, claiming that he would prefer to have the race at Magny-Cours. The European event will return next year, at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
Paul Ricard last hosted a Formula 1 race in 1990, which was won by Alain Prost. From 1991 to 2008, the race was held at Magny-Cours, the last of which was won by Felipe Massa. Offering his thoughts on the race's return, Hamilton admitted that he is not a fan of Paul Ricard.
Ferrari Poaches McLaren Talent to Boost Lewis Hamilton’s Performance
Hamilton Faces "Biggest Career Challenge" with 2026 Ferrari
"Honestly I don't like it, just to be straight with you,” said Hamilton to Canal+. "I loved it when we used to have the Grand Prix in Magny-Cours. [Paul Ricard] is in a beautiful place, but the track, when I say I don't like it, it's not as great as Magny-Cours.
"I think the most important thing is that we do have a Grand Prix back in France because it's an important part of Europe, it's an important part of the European tour.
"It's just, you know, France has so many beautiful, beautiful circuits – Le Mans, for example – and for some reason we don't have it at the most beautiful track. It doesn't register for me, I'm a driver and I'm dead straight with you, and I'm not gonna beat around the bush. But maybe we will have the best race of the whole season there."
Hamilton recently drove the Paul Ricard track, completing 114 laps in a Pirelli test last September. The French Grand Prix will host the eighth race of the season next year, on June 24th.
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
4 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (6)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Paul Ricard is not a bad track. But I cannot recall a bad race at Magna Cours. They were always very good races. A bit like Montreal.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
I like both circuits really, although Paul Ricard makes me sad and reminds me of the loss of Elio.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
I don't really care for the Paul Ricard circuit, as it reminds me if a test track from Forza Motorsport with the coloured drive-offs and lack of grass.
Ironically one of the reasons I like Magny Cours is because it reminds of my... video games on my Playstation.
How's that for cognitive dissonance?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I must admit that I sorta find some tracks, such as Abu Dhabi, to be a bit... synthetic, gamey, and I dont really like that.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Yes! Synthetic is a really good word for it. But, alas, money talks...
Barron
Posts: 625
Ask anyone who works in Formula 1 what they really think of Magny-Cours. Not for nothing is it nick-named “Magny-Curse”. As a pioneer of Grand Prix Racing, France has more iconic race tracks than there are races in the F1 calendar. Many of them were part street circuits and almost all of them were in beautiful locations, except Magny-Curse which is in the middle of nowhere and on the road from Nowhere to Nowhere-Else.