Paul Ricard set for mid-year 2018 date

Paul Ricard is heading for a mid-year race date for the return of the French Grand Prix next year, according to race promoter Christian Estrosi.

Paul Ricard is heading for a mid-year race date for the return of the French Grand Prix next year, according to Christian Estrosi.

The race promoter revealed to France's Auto Hebdo that he met with new Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey recently in Monaco.

"In our conversation, I paid particular attention to the choice of the date for the grand prix, because it depends largely on the success of the race," he said.

"We are now discussing the period from late June to mid July, and now FOM and FIA will offer us a specific date.

"As soon as it becomes known, we will begin selling tickets."

Estrosi said that Carey is also keen to ensure that each country's grand prix accurately reflects the local culture.

"Chase wants the grand prix at Paul Ricard in the first instance to be truly French," he said.

"He wants the Spanish Grand Prix to reflect Catalonia and Barcelona, Italy to reflect Milan and Lombardy, and so on.

"He wants a national character and I really like his proposed approach."

The French Grand Prix was last held in 2008.

Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP leads Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP into the first corner during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya on May 10, 2015
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6Williams-Mercedes20
7Renault14
8Haas14
9Sauber4
10McLaren0
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13Kevin MagnussenHaas5
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17Marcus EricssonSauber0
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19Fernando AlonsoMcLaren0
20Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren0
21Antonio GiovinazziSauber0
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