The French Grand Prix is one of the oldest motor races in the world and the first “Grand Prix” ever held. It has been a part of the F1 World Championship since 1950, and the inaugural edition was held in 1906. It has a rich history of being hosted in different locations and has been hosted at 16 different venues until now, making it one of the most nomadic races in F1 history.
The French Grand Prix was absent from the MotoGP calendar from 2009 to 2017 and marked a return in 2018 but was removed again in 2022. The French Grand Prix has no current plans to return to the F1 calendar, however, the MotoGP calendar just confirmed its presence for five more years.
The extension was announced by MotoGP, confirming that Le Man will continue to host the French Grand Prix until 20231. This agreement was made possible through the efforts of Dorna Sports, the rights holder of MotoGP, and the PHA Claude Michy. The French Grand Prix is known for its high attendance every year, with 297,471 spectators attending the event in 2024, making it the most-attended MotoGP event in history.
CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta, shared his excitement about the decision and shared, “France already has an incredible legacy in motorsport, and we’re proud that our French Grand Prix has added to that at the same time as attracting a huge new wave of fans to the event, area and to the sport itself.”
“We are the biggest sporting event in France, and the grandstands reflect our growing and diverse audience, showcasing exactly what we want to see around the world as the sport continues to grow exponentially. France is a vital market for us, and working with PHA Claude Michy, we couldn’t ask for more,” he added
Claude Michy, another key figure in the decision, thanked Carmelo Ezpeleta and said, “The privilege is having met many years ago, Carmelo Ezpeleta, the CEO of Dorna, who has always placed his trust in me. I have great respect for him and deep gratitude because he has managed to evolve MotoGP and turn it into this incredible show.”Our promoter contract expires in 2026, and I am delighted, honoured, and proud to announce that it will be extended until 2031.”
The extension of the French Grand Prix is a part of a broader strategy after Dorna Sport aims to secure a long-term rights renewal through 2060. The event has had a rich motorsport heritage and continues to contribute significantly to the legacy of MotoGP by attracting thousands of viewers every year. It’s considered the largest sporting event in France, highlighting its reach globally.
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