Why France is Grand Prix racing’s most historic race
Promoted: If you thought that Grand Prix racing started in 1950, then you’d be mistaken. If you thought that the pre-war dominations of Mercedes and Auto Union was the real start, them again you’d be wide of the mark. In fact, the first ever Grand Prix took place in 1906 and the name has stuck ever since.

Now, over a century later, three of the manufacturers competing that day are still active in F1 and the country has re-emerged after a few years’ absence from the F1 calendar as a firm fixture at the iconic Paul Ricard circuit. Motorsport Live reflects on the history of the French Grand Prix and why fans should make a beeline for this year’s race.

Start Grid
Photo by: LAT Images
Grand Prix motor racing started on a variety of road courses across France throughout the first half of the 20th century as the growing global manufacturers did battle, interwoven by fluctuating political tensions across Europe, with racing taking a hiatus during the two World Wars. French manufacturer Renault triumphed in that first 1906 Grand Prix on closed public roads around Le Mans. The city has been synonymous with motorsport ever since, albeit primarily for endurance racing - the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and more recently MotoGP. Also in the field that day were entries from Mercedes and FIAT, still present today in F1 with the Ferrari brand.
Check out the Motorsport Live Podcast
It was Alfa Romeo, competing in 2019 with the Sauber team, that triumphed at the inaugural World Championship French Grand Prix upon the formation of Formula 1 in 1950 as teams and drivers did battle at Rouen and Reims, the road courses alternating annually, until the greater professionalism and business-driven nature of racing led to closed circuits being used. Paul Ricard was the original home, only to subsequently lose the race to Dijon, before Magny Cours established itself as the home of the French Grand Prix in the 1990s and 2000s.
After a decade-long absence France re-took its place on the calendar in 2018 at the now redeveloped and upgraded Circuit Paul Ricard converted for wheel-to-wheel action after spending a prolonged period as a test venue.

Paul Ricard returned to the calendar in 2018
Photo by: LAT Images
It was Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes who triumphed from pole position in 2018 – a win that ensured the five-times World Champion has taken a victory at each of the circuits on the current Formula 1 calendar, as well as meaning he has savoured success at more different race venues (26) than any other driver in history. Kimi Raikkonen was second last year for Ferrari while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ensured three different teams – with three different engine partners – finished on the podium.

Michael Schumacher won eight times in France
Photo by: LAT Images

Ron Meadows, Sporting Director, Mercedes AMG, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2nd position, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1, 1st position, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 3rd position, on the podium
Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images
Hamilton’s win was his first in France – at his third attempt, after two previous attempts in 2007 and 08 entries at Magny Cours – but he has some way to go to match the all-time World Championship record at the French Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher won eight times in France, all at Magny Cours, during his distinguished career, putting him two clear of France’s only World Champion Alain Prost.
Four of Prost’s six French Grand Prix wins came at Circuit Paul Ricard, giving him the individual record at the southern venue. Indeed, Prost’s record at the track is all the more impressive given Paul Ricard’s reputation for providing different winners. Eleven different drivers have climbed atop the podium across Paul Ricard’s 15 Grands Prix, including renowned World Champions Sir Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, James Hunt and Nelson Piquet. It’s a similar case over one-lap: again, 11 different drivers have topped qualifying at Paul Ricard, while the fastest lap accolade has been spread between 13 racers.
Last year’s French Grand Prix was highly eventuful: Two separate first-lap incidents shook up the order and that facilitated an entertaining Grand Prix in which there were 48 overtakes Most of that action took place along the back straight – meaning that taking up a spot at the Mistral Chicane is a wise idea – while the pits straight, La Beausset and the fearsome Signes turns have also witnessed their fair share of battles and high-speed accidents.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W09
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images
Paul Ricard’s current stint on the calendar is only in its infancy but it has already provided plenty of drama and intrigue, while France itself has a rich history that will have its place in the Formula 1 record books forever, with both home grown drivers and manufacturers once again growing in prominence, 2019 is set to once again raise the bar. Be there and experience it live. To see all ticket options and prices visit the Motorsport Live dedicated site here.

Previous article
2021 F1 chassis rules sign-off set for October compromise
Next article
How "useless" Leclerc exposed a champion's trait

Why France is Grand Prix racing’s most historic race
Why Verstappen isn't interested in the hype game
In a pre-season where Red Bull has been unusually quiet, Max Verstappen has also been guarded about the team's fortunes in 2021. Even after trying the RB16B for the first time at Silverstone, the Dutchman was careful to manage expectations
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
How Albon plans to fight his way out of Red Bull limbo
Alex Albon has faced the media for the first time since he lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020 and dropped out of a Formula 1 race seat altogether. He has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, so here's what he must do to rise again
Ranked! Carlin's greatest F1 graduates
Carlin has helped guide enough drivers to Formula 1 to fill out an entire grid, plus a handful of reserves, to create a remarkable alumni list. With Yuki Tsunoda set to join that group, Motorsport.com has ranked its graduates to grace the grand prix scene...
Why Alfa's 2021 launch says more about its 2022 plans
Alfa Romeo launched its C41 with a revised front nose, but there's little to suggest it will surge up the leaderboard in 2021. As the team frankly admits, it's putting its eggs in the basket labelled 2022 and hoping to hold the eighth place it earned last year
Why Gasly’s AlphaTauri haven is a blessing and a curse
Red Bull opted not to re-sign Pierre Gasly even before it decided to drop Alex Albon and so the Frenchman's Formula 1 journey will continue at AlphaTauri. This has positive and negative connotations for one of last season's star performers.
Eight things Red Bull must do to beat Mercedes in 2021
After seven years of defeat at the hands of Mercedes, Red Bull is as hungry as ever to secure a fifth world championship. But there are key challenges it must overcome in 2021 to switch from challenger to conqueror