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From the factories to the Paul Ricard circuit, where the 2022 French Grand Prix took place, we explore the resurgence of classic F1 single-seaters.
The real story of the 2022 French Historic Grand Prix was not the roar of V8 and V10 engines, but the tireless efforts of a handful of enthusiasts determined to bring forgotten Formula 1 cars back to life. From June 17 to 19, under a scorching 35°C sky at the Circuit Paul Ricard, more than a hundred cars roared around the track, but behind every rumbling engine lay a story of restoration, negotiation, and absolute dedication.
Organized by HVM Racing, the weekend coincided with the modern French Grand Prix and transformed the circuit into a living museum. Six categories invaded the paddock: vintage Grand Touring cars, British Formula 2 cars from the early 1980s, and, even more spectacular, the Boss GP category, which brought together single-seaters from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jaguars, Ligiers, Benettons, and Toro Rossos lined up on the starting grid, all sporting vintage liveries. The Benetton B197, for example, retained its iconic blue, white, and yellow paintwork but was fitted with a Judd V10 engine instead of its original Renault power unit, a bold, almost sacrilegious choice that underscored the event's blend of authenticity and pragmatism.
Two French teams, LRS Formula and AGS, have established themselves as the guardians of this heritage. LRS Formula, based in Magny-Cours, shipped a 2001 Jaguar R2 from the former Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes. After two decades in a garage, the green-liveried car was resurrected with its original V10 engine and gearbox still in good condition, although the exact purchase price remains a mystery. Across the road in Le Luc, AGS exhibited sixteen historic machines, ranging from a 1946 Gordini Type 11 to a 2010 Lotus T127. Among the highlights were Mika Häkkinen's 1994 MP4/9, recovered directly from the McLaren factory in Woking, and a 1980 Tyrrell 010 that changed hands for £100,000 to £120,000 after being purchased directly from the team.
The drivers' personal passion also marked the weekend. Frenchman Didier Sirgue, who drove the Jaguar R2, recounted how he acquired the Jordan J191 in which Michael Schumacher made his debut in 2011, stripped it of its original exhaust and engine, and then meticulously re-equipped it with a factory-spec Ford HB V8 engine. His own Jaguar required a complete overhaul: “Fifty percent of the original parts were replaced: shock absorbers, rims, steering column,” he explained, pointing out that UV lamps were essential for detecting hidden fatigue. Mr. Sirgue added that while mechanical components can often be found, body parts such as front spoilers or suspension triangles are much harder to locate, turning restoration into a treasure hunt that lasts for months.
Soheil Ayari, a former test driver at Williams and endurance racing specialist, followed a similar path with his Ligier JS21, a car that had been unused from 1983 to 2015. A team of four people restored the chassis during the French Historic Grand Prix, but the work was far from complete. “The engine roars, but we still have a lot of work to do,” said Ayari, emphasizing the ongoing nature of preservation.
Even after the cars left the paddock, private testing continued. The Jaguar ran perfectly at Magny-Cours, while the Lotus T127 completed a brief 30-kilometer run at Le Luc, with its original front wing intact. AGS even used a simulator to fine-tune its settings for future historic events.
Reliability remained elusive, however. Five minutes before the Jaguar's qualifying run, the engine refused to start. A quick “unplug and replug” by the mechanic brought the machine back to life, reminding us that even seasoned technicians sometimes have to resort to trial and error.
In the end, the 2022 French Historic Grand Prix was less a nostalgic showcase than a testament to the unwavering commitment of restorers, collectors, and drivers who refuse to let these icons of engineering fall into oblivion. Their work ensures that the roar of V8 and V10 engines will continue to echo around the Circuit Paul Ricard for generations to come. The roar of vintage V engines at Paul Ricard reminded everyone that historic racing is as much an endurance test as it is a trip down memory lane. Didier Sirgue's Jaguar, for example, arrived on the starting grid already battling the ghosts of its own past: a last-minute braking problem and a deliberately reversed front-to-rear balance to generate extra downforce. The result was a car that clung to the asphalt with impressive mechanical grip and showed no signs of understeer. Sirgue, ever pragmatic, laughed and said the machine was “better than me” and deliberately lightened his braking in the north chicane, insisting that his only goal was “not to play with the wheel triangle.” The weekend proved that the car still had plenty of bite. “It drives like a joystick,” admitted Sirgue, adding that even though he hadn't pushed it to the limit at Signes, the Jaguar remained “the best in its class” and, above all, a source of pure pleasure. However, the engine quickly showed its limitations, losing a cylinder during the opening race of the Historic French Grand Prix. Attentive fans at the circuit could hear the change. Sirgue managed to finish eighth on Saturday, but wear on his only set of ultra-soft Pirelli tires and persistent power loss saw him drop to 18th place and retire five laps from the finish on Sunday.
On the other side of the grid, former endurance star Soheil Ayari had to fight his own battle at the wheel of a Ligier JS21. After qualifying sixth with a lap of 2:10.500, the 52-year-old climbed to second place before a mechanical failure forced him to retire on the third lap of the first race. Sunday was no kinder: another brake-related problem forced him to retire on the first lap of the second race. “If you accelerate too hard, you skid,” explained Ayari, highlighting the lack of power steering and the need to heel-and-toe every gear change. The physical effort is evident: he still follows a weight training and cardio program reminiscent of his twenties in order to keep up with the demands of the car. The French Historic Grand Prix is set to return to Paul Ricard in 2023, promising a richer array of machines. This year, the weekend featured only three genuine F1 cars, supplemented by around 20 Dallara GP2s to fill out the grid. Nevertheless, the spectacle of seeing the legends of the late 1990s and early 2000s back on the track thrilled the crowd, especially during the visits to the starting grid on Saturday and Sunday that preceded the two Boss GP races.
For fans eager for vintage action, the calendar includes stops in Brno (September 11), Mugello (October 16), and a finale in Misano (November 6). Although historic F1 will not be accompanying the modern French Grand Prix from July 22 to 24, 2022, spectators will still be able to enjoy a strong support program including Formula 2, the WSeries, and the Porsche Supercup.
