This Sunday evening, the great Formula 1 celebration will close its doors on the Paul-Ricard circuit in Castellet (Var).
Beyond the final result, a whole organization will get under way for the next edition of the Grand Prix de France, in a year.
The one that will end was not easy, between a limited number of spectators, and a reprogramming as late as it was unexpected.
This did not prevent those in charge from doing everything to make this event a unique spectacle in France, as explained by Alain Charlier, the operations manager.
1. One year of preparation.
Last year, after two editions which marked the return of F1 to France, the French Grand Prix could not take place, like others (Australia, Monaco, and all those on the American continent), for obvious reasons related to Covid-19. It was therefore necessary to restart everything for 2021: “It's a year of preparation, including nine substantive months, says Alain Charlier. Those nine months have a big impact on everything to do with marketing. The last three are where we deliver something concrete. "
2. The highest attendance since the start of the season.
Seventh Grand Prix on the calendar, the GP is the one that brings together the most public, despite the health restrictions introduced by the authorities. Every day, 15,000 spectators (divided into three bubbles of 5,000) take their seats in the stands, for a total of 40,000 entries. “Under normal conditions they should be just under 65,000. Most of those who were to come before the date change managed to get by, it gives a lot of hope for the future of F1 in France. But not all were able to come. This is our black spot. And then an event without an audience, whatever it is, is no longer one… ”
3. 3000 people available to spectators.
The GP of France is a small team of permanent people who hide the forest. In all, 3,000 people (including 300 volunteers) are involved in the smooth running of this gigantic circus. “Whatever their level of responsibility, they go out of their way to satisfy the public. In all, 250 structures are concerned, from companies to the security service, including passionate students who place vehicles in parking lots. We do not realize the magnitude. The GP is a small world that could live independently for a very long time! "
4. Large-scale and also local geometry.
Many multinationals are participating in the project, but they are not the only ones. The GP also drives the local fabric: "We need all trades to be able to respond to any unexpected turnaround, such as the local baker who will receive an unexpected order of 1,300 baguettes, or caterers," explains thus Alain Charlier.
5. A solution to Covid.
Beyond the consequences on attendance, the pandemic has affected a lot of small companies in the region. “Businesses have come to a standstill, in particular itinerant catering and entertainment. We have received dozens of thank you letters to tell us that they escaped bankruptcy. We are all very happy with this joint effort in this period unlike any other. "
6. Caregivers involved.
Sanitary standards have been imposed for all who enter the site. To meet demand, 150 nurses from the IFPVPS, a school in Toulon, get up very early every day to perform antigenic tests, sometimes at the last minute. “We also thank them warmly,” says the site's operations manager. Without them, there would be no happy public. The applause in the stands is also for them.
7. Pilots… campers.
They are used to sleeping in hotels that are more luxurious than each other.
However, more than half of the twenty pilots on the circuit have asked for permission to sleep in their mobile homes (super equipped, moreover) within the site itself!
“The drivers have to adapt, it's pretty funny because you don't expect that from these boys.
We come back to the great era of motor racing, when you had to get by!
"
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8. 2022 is on track.
The next edition, the last of the five-year contract that unites F1 with France, will take place next year: “It's sure and certain,” confides Pierre Guyonnet-Dupeyrat, the communications manager. We are in discussion to harmonize the business model for the future. When 2020 was canceled, it was difficult to live with, but we all immediately got back to work with a phenomenal capacity to adapt. "