The historic Grand Prix brings Formula 1 back to Le Castellet in 2023

The Formula 1 World Championship will not be stopping off at the Var circuit this year, but F1 cars and other single-seaters will continue to race at Paul Ricard during the Historic French Grand Prix, which will take place from April 7 to 9, 2023.

When the roar of vintage engines echoes around the Paul Ricard circuit, the 2024 French Grand Prix will transform from a race weekend into a rolling museum celebrating five years of motorsport history. Organizer HVM Racing has put together a program that honors the past, inviting fans to discover a kaleidoscope of single-seaters that once dominated the starting grid. The main attraction is the Boss GP series, a retro showdown featuring machines from the 1990s and early 2000s. Among them, Jean Alesi's 1997 Benetton will line up against two Toro Rosso chassis and a 2001 Jaguar R2, while the grid will be bolstered by F2/GP2 cars, 1990s F3000s, and Formula Renault 3.5 cars.

Adding a touch of glamour to the vintage F1 cars, former Jaguar and Williams driver Antonio Pizzonia will take the wheel of a Dallara World Series car, while a separate session during the Easter weekend will see classic F1 cars from the 1970s and 1980s share the track with contemporary F2 machines.

The historic pedigree is further enhanced by the FIA-sanctioned European Historic F3 Pre-85 Cup, a championship reserved for pre-1985 cars from manufacturers such as Martini, Chevron, and March. In addition, the Formula Ford Pre-93 Trophy will bring back to life the 1600cc Ford-engined cars that launched the careers of legends such as Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Jody Scheckter, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, and Jenson Button.

Beyond single-seaters, the weekend's program includes the Lotus Trophy, where classic Lotus Sevens and Caterhams will battle for supremacy, and the 6 Hours V de V Endurance, a grueling endurance race featuring pre-1980 touring and endurance cars. The endurance race will see the exceptional participation of Jean Alesi, president of the circuit and former F1 star, at the wheel. For enthusiasts eager to meet the icons behind the helmets, the event will welcome a host of French motorsport heroes, including René Arnoux, Yannick Dalmas, Jean-Pierre Jarrier, and Henri Pescarolo. With a family-friendly atmosphere and a program covering four decades of racing history, this anniversary edition promises much more than speed: it offers a rare and immersive glimpse into the golden age of motorsport.