Winfield School makes its big comeback at Paul Ricard

Written by fanf1
Winfield School makes its big comeback at Paul Ricard
Credit: FanF1

The Winfield racing school, which trained several French stars in the 1970s and 1980s, has recently been relaunched at the Paul Ricard circuit facilities.

The revival of the French Grand Prix at the Paul Ricard circuit has sparked more than just media hype: it has relaunched a national project aimed at training the next generation of motor racing talent. Stéphane Clair, director of the circuit, has teamed up with Frédéric Garcia, president of the Winfield group, to revive the famous École Winfield, a school that opened in 1964 and helped launch legends such as Alain Prost, Patrick Tambay, Jacques Laffite, Jean Alesi, and Olivier Panis.

Now housed in the main building of the Var complex, the renovated academy caters to teenagers aged 14 to 17 and offers them a rare glimpse into the world of high-level motorsports. A unique partnership with Renault Sport allows students to drive contemporary Formula 1 cars equipped with V8 engines, while the proximity of the historic Paul Ricard circuit allows them to train on a track that has seen countless big names pass through. The program is open to all nationalities, but its main mission is clear: to restore the pool of elite French drivers and consolidate the Paul Ricard circuit's reputation as a leading training ground.

“Forty-six years after the first edition of the Winfield Volant was held here, we are now offering high-quality training on this legendary circuit,” said Mr. Clair. “In a few years, we will have a Formula 1 driver who came through the Winfield selection process and honed his skills on this very asphalt.”

The first success of this new era came last February, when young Brazilian Caio Collet triumphed over 17 rivals to win the first Volant. His victory earned him a prize worth more than €200,000, a full season in the French F4 championship, marking the beginning of what organizers hope will become a steady stream of talent.

The school's legacy is underscored by moments such as Olivier Panis' victory at the wheel of Elf-Winfield in 1987, which serves as a reminder of the institution's lasting impact on French motorsport. With the return of the Grand Prix and the academy in full swing, Paul Ricard is once again poised to shape the future of motor racing.