IT’S OFF TO THREE DAYS OF MADNESS !
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The 8th KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique got underway today (Friday 8 May) at the Circuit Paul Ricard. The star cars are arriving one by one at the circuit, where they are being greeted by a large crowd. Tomorrow, the circuit will be sold out.
© Alexandre Montesinos
The KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique is truly a multifaceted event, as Formula 1 races and demonstrations will take place throughout the entire weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard. More than 50 single-seaters from the premier category, ranging from the 1950s to the 2010s, are already gathered in the paddock, accessible to all spectators at no extra cost. Large crowds were already taking advantage of today’s public holiday to explore the circuit, which will be at full capacity tomorrow after the last tickets sold out last month. Not all the drivers have arrived yet… A total of eleven former and three current Formula 1 drivers will (re)take the wheel of legendary cars : Jean Alesi, Philippe Alliot, René Arnoux, David Coulthard, Pierre Gasly, Isack Hadjar, Mika Häkkinen, Jacques Laffite, Franck Montagny, Esteban Ocon, Olivier Panis, Alain Prost, Jacques Villeneuve, and Mark Webber.
Formula 1 is not the only discipline in the spotlight. Junior categories (F2, F3), endurance racing (Group C, LMP, GT), and touring cars are also represented across seven grids and twelve races scheduled for the weekend. In total, more than 200 cars will compete, including 45 entries in the highly anticipated 200 km race.
Younger spectators will especially enjoy the presence of nine hypercars, including six Aston Martin Valkyries. Starting tomorrow, the Club Auto et Prestige area will showcase more than 500 remarkable automobiles, transforming the outer perimeter of the track into an open-air museum.
And that’s not all! In the village area, around fifty exhibitors offer plenty to explore for hours, notably the immersive Ligier exhibition featuring eight iconic cars from the manufacturer’s history, along with numerous original parts and artifacts (design drawings, wind tunnel models, molds, racing suits, etc.). The
Red Bull Racing team has other attractions to draw attention: the naturally aspirated Renault V8 engine from the RB7, capable of revving up to 18,000 rpm, roared briefly this afternoon. Ear protection recommended !
Tomorrow, record attendance is expected at Circuit Paul Ricard. Organizers therefore recommend that spectators arrive early, preferably before 9 a.m. For those unable to attend the 2026 edition, all races and demonstrations will be broadcast live on the KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique YouTube channel.
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The KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique is the only event in France to offer genuine Formula 1 races. Founded in 2017 by HVM Racing with the support of the French Federation of Motorsport (FFSA), it has been co-organized with the Circuit Paul Ricard since 2023. Each year, nearly 225 racing cars, including more than 60 iconic Formula 1 cars from the 1970s to 2010, take part in the event. The 2025 edition welcomed over 106,000 visitors representing 21 nationalities, confirming its appeal and prestige.
