President Emmanuel Macron is eager to bring Formula One back to France

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his desire to bring Formula 1 back to France, with the city of Nice being considered as a potential location for a street race.

The French Grand Prix made a comeback at Circuit Paul Ricard in 2018 after a lengthy absence. However, the contract for the race was not renewed after the 2022 event, resulting in its omission from this year's schedule.

Even before the demise of Circuit Paul Ricard was confirmed, there were discussions about the possibility of organizing a street race in Nice as a replacement.

Some observers speculated that Formula 1's interest in Nice was also linked to ongoing negotiations with Monaco regarding a new contract. Fortunately, those negotiations have now been resolved.

According to the newspaper Nice-Matin, Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, recently wrote to President Macron, seeking his support and emphasizing the significance of the French Grand Prix.

President Macron responded positively and entrusted Estrosi and Nicolas Deschaux, the president of the French Motorsport Federation (FFSA), with the responsibility of engaging with F1/Liberty Media.

Their task includes conducting a feasibility study for the return of the race, without committing to a specific venue.

It's worth noting that both Estrosi and Deschaux were previously involved in bringing the event to Circuit Paul Ricard.

"Be sure that I fully share your ambition. Indeed, as you point out, our country must be able, like the other major international sporting events it organises every year, to reconnect with F1, for the pleasure of all.

"It is an issue of attractiveness for our country, the influence of our automotive industry and innovation to support the decarbonisation of this sector."

He added: "As such, you will be able to study the different possible location options [in France], identifying for each their economic model, their compatibility with our ecological commitments and their possible contribution to regional and national development.

"In this context, you will focus on engaging in discussions with the holders of the rights to F1."