As the Formula 1 season progresses, the stakes for securing a spot on the coveted 2020 F1 calendar intensify. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the French Grand Prix paddock, reports suggest that three circuits are currently locked in a fierce battle for that final, crucial slot. This diary entry offers an exclusive glimpse into a day filled with high-octane discussions, unexpected revelations, and the enduring passion that defines the world of Formula 1.
A Sun-Drenched Morning at Paul Ricard
7:00 AM: Embracing the Race Day Atmosphere
The alarm clock’s familiar chime signaled the start of another exciting day in the paddock. A strong, invigorating coffee was the perfect companion to prepare for the long hours ahead. The weather at Circuit Paul Ricard was simply magnificent – a clear, azure sky promised perfect racing conditions. While picturesque, the intense Provençal sun made me spare a thought for those spectators who had opted for uncovered grandstand seats. Anyone dressed in blue and white, colors frequently associated with French sports fans, would undoubtedly find themselves resembling human tricolors by day’s end, a fate I indeed witnessed later, seemingly causing considerable discomfort. This quintessential Grand Prix morning, with its blend of anticipation and logistical nuances, truly encapsulates the spirit of Formula 1.
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8:00 AM: Navigating the Circuit’s Unique Challenges
Departing for the circuit, I expected the usual pre-race traffic, yet found the roads surprisingly clear. My journey to Paul Ricard was smooth, without the typical stop-and-go crawl that often plagues major sporting events. However, an unexpected detour led to a peculiar 30-minute delay. In a rather unusual logistical decision, the event promoters channeled support race cars, specifically a lengthy train of Clio Cup vehicles, down the very same access lanes designated for paddock personnel. This unconventional routing created an amusing, albeit frustrating, bottleneck, highlighting the unique challenges and occasional eccentricities of Grand Prix event management.
9:30 AM: Insights from Renault and the Midfield Battle
Breakfast in the paddock offered a delightful break: bacon and scrambled eggs on toast. It also provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with Marcin Budkowski, the Executive Director of the Renault F1 Team. Our paths hadn’t crossed much since his departure from the FIA over a year ago, so it was a casual yet insightful chat. While nothing groundbreaking was discussed, it was clear Marcin was fully immersed in his mission to steer the yellow-liveried team back to its former glory. His dedication underscored Renault’s ambitious plans for recovery. The qualifying session later in the day vividly demonstrated the intense competition forming at the sharp end of the midfield. A visibly resurgent Renault, coupled with an impressively upwardly mobile McLaren, meant that the fight for “best of the rest” was tighter and more thrilling than ever, setting the stage for an unpredictable race weekend.
Calendar Woes and Regulatory Limbo
11:00 AM: F1 Leadership Discussions and Calendar Concerns
Observing the team principals returning from their customary “Coffee with Chase” session – a regular Saturday meeting with F1’s CEO – I gathered some crucial insights. I was informed that no new regulatory developments were discussed, which came as no surprise given the current state of limbo surrounding the 2021 regulations, with a revised deadline set for October 31st. This period of uncertainty creates a challenging environment for teams planning their long-term strategies, affecting everything from car design philosophy to driver contracts.
However, the murmurs about the 2020 F1 calendar were more pressing. The potential loss of the Mexican Grand Prix is posing a significant logistical headache for the championship organizers as the season draws to a close. Mexico City forms a crucial part of a tightly choreographed logistical triangle with the races in Austin (United States Grand Prix) and Sao Paulo (Brazilian Grand Prix). Disrupting this established sequence would necessitate a complete re-evaluation of freight and travel arrangements for multiple teams and personnel, leading to considerable cost and scheduling complexities. Interestingly, neither the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona nor Hockenheim – the two other venues currently under threat for 2020 – could be easily slotted into the Mexican GP’s late-season date without further complicating logistics. Encouragingly for British fans and the historic Silverstone circuit, its race appeared to be secure, as it was notably absent from any discussions regarding potential calendar changes, suggesting a stable future for the British Grand Prix.
Legends, Literature, and Lunch
2:30 PM: A Rally Legend at Pirelli’s Hospitality
Lunch at Pirelli’s hospitality suite was a delightful interlude, shared with my good friend, the legendary rally driver Ari Vatanen, and his son Max, who were visiting Paul Ricard for the day. As expected, Pirelli’s culinary offerings were superb, providing a welcome respite from the intense paddock atmosphere. Ari opted for the sea bass from the à la carte menu, while Max and I enjoyed the diverse selections from the buffet. It was a pleasure to dine alongside such an icon of motorsport, whose career spanned decades of thrilling competition and remarkable resilience.
During our meal, Will Buxton, a respected motorsport journalist and author, briefly joined us. Will’s book, “My Greatest Defeat,” features a poignant chapter dedicated to Ari’s incredible recovery following his horrific 1985 Argentina Rally crash. This narrative of perseverance and overcoming adversity resonated deeply within the motorsports community. For those seeking further insight into Ari’s extraordinary life, his biography, “Every Second Counts,” is an absolute must-read, if you can track down a copy. A lesser-known, fascinating anecdote revealed during our conversation was that Ari and the acclaimed musician Chris Rea shared a house in the mid-seventies. Intriguingly, Rea’s song of the same title, “Every Second Counts,” is reportedly dedicated to the 1981 World Rally Champion, a testament to the profound impact Ari had on those around him, even beyond the world of racing.
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McLaren’s Ascent and Attendance Woes
3:00 PM: McLaren’s Breakthrough and French GP Attendance
The standout story of the qualifying session was undoubtedly McLaren’s remarkable performance. The Woking-based team was clearly enjoying an exceptionally strong weekend, demonstrating an astonishing three-and-a-half-second improvement over their previous year’s performance at the circuit. This significant leap forward was attributed, in part, to an innovative new suspension update introduced on the MCL34 specifically for this weekend. Their resurgence was a powerful testament to the hard work and strategic changes implemented within the team, injecting renewed excitement into the midfield battle.
However, the palpable excitement on track contrasted sharply with the visible emptiness in the grandstands. Many red and blue seats remained unoccupied, a stark visual indicator of the circuit’s struggle to attract a substantial crowd. I generously estimated the day’s attendance at around 30,000, a figure I intended to discuss with my friend Eric Boullier, who now serves as a consultant for the race organizers. Whatever the precise number, it was unequivocally clear that Circuit Paul Ricard was still paying the price for the logistical debacle and poor spectator experience of the previous year’s event.
Eric candidly admitted that ticket sales were down by approximately 25%. Yet, my own observations painted an even bleaker picture: the noticeable lack of traffic, far-from-packed campsites, and a tour operator who, last year, filled two coaches with 78 eager fans, was this year reduced to using a minivan for a mere nine supporters. These anecdotal evidences suggested a more significant decline than the official figures indicated. The anticipated paying race day crowd was projected to be around 50,000, significantly lower than the much-trumpeted 65,000 from the previous year. It remained to be seen how the final numbers would compare, but the challenge for the French Grand Prix to establish itself as a must-attend event was undeniably apparent.
Alonso’s Farewell and McLaren’s Future
5:00 PM: McLaren’s Strategic Investments and Fernando Alonso’s F1 Future
Post-qualifying interviews naturally gravitated towards McLaren, whose exceptional performance was the talk of the paddock. The team achieved its best overall qualifying result since 2014, signaling a strong upward trajectory. This on-track success was further bolstered by the exciting news that McLaren is investing in a new, state-of-the-art wind tunnel at their McLaren Technology Centre (MTC). This strategic, long-term investment underscores their commitment to reclaiming their position at the forefront of Formula 1, providing the essential tools for future car development and aerodynamic innovation. Such an undertaking demonstrates a clear intent to compete for championships once more, moving beyond mere midfield competitiveness.
During these discussions, the team also quietly let slip a significant piece of news regarding the legendary Fernando Alonso. Having agreed terms with Renault to utilize their third driver, Sergey Sirotkin, should the need arise, McLaren confirmed that Fernando Alonso would not be returning to drive their F1 car. The team cited Alonso’s “other commitments” as part of the reason for this decision. However, this explanation raised eyebrows throughout the paddock. What exactly were these commitments? His recent victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, a historic achievement, had been his last scheduled competitive outing for the year, leaving a void in his immediate racing calendar.
Regardless of the stated reasons, this announcement seemed to mark the definitive end of the F1 road for a driver widely considered one of the sport’s greatest track warriors. Alonso’s career, marked by two world championships, fierce determination, and an uncompromising pursuit of victory, left an indelible mark on Formula 1. His departure from the F1 grid, particularly under these circumstances, carries a profound lesson about the ever-evolving nature of motorsport, the brutal competitiveness of the driver market, and perhaps, the challenge even for legends to find their place amidst new generations and shifting team priorities. It’s a reminder that in Formula 1, every second truly counts, and opportunities are fleeting.
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Reflections Under the French Sky
7:00 PM: A Peaceful Evening and Al Fresco Dining
As the sun began its descent, I hit the road, heading back to my B&B. Traffic was surprisingly light, causing only a marginal delay of about 10 minutes. However, even this minor hold-up was enough to ensure I missed the local supermarket’s opening hours. Undeterred, I simply headed across the road for a take-out pizza – the perfect, uncomplicated meal for a warm summer evening. It was all I needed to sustain myself after the hearty breakfast at Renault and the sumptuous lunch at Pirelli, a testament to the excellent hospitality within the F1 paddock.
I savored my pizza al fresco, under clear blue skies with temperatures still hovering around 25°C. The serene views across the valley were breathtaking, providing a moment of profound tranquility. It was then, sitting on a simple bench at the edge of Le Castellet, that I declared it, without hesitation, the best dining room I could possibly imagine anywhere on earth. To experience such simple beauty and peace after a day immersed in the intensity of Formula 1 felt like a truly blessed experience, a perfect close to a captivating day.
8:00 PM: Preparing for Race Day
With a full and eventful day behind me, I began the task of packing in preparation for an early start on Sunday. Race day at the French Grand Prix promised even more excitement and drama, and I was eager to witness how the narratives from qualifying would unfold on the track. The paddock would soon awaken again, buzzing with the energy of the final race preparations.
2019 French Grand Prix Coverage
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