Although initial reports suggested that the new sport minister Chantal Jouanno would not give her go ahead to the construction of a new circuit that would host F1 races in the future, it seems that the situation has changed for the better in recent weeks. According to FFSA president Nicolas Deschaux, his latest meeting with Jouanno was nothing but constructive.
“This meeting took place with a very constructive atmosphere," said Deschaux, who met with Jouanno in her ministry office.
“I came to realise that the minister has a very wise overview of the issues relating to our sport. We were able to discuss all of the major events as well as the fundamental tasks of the FFSA. The minister is very committed to the development and the evolution of French motor sport,” he added.
Yes, nothing concrete, we know, but still a step forward for France in its efforts to return to the world of Formula One in the future (near or far). Other details have not been disclosed by either Deschaux or Jouanno, but what we do know is the latter's clear political views on the environment.
It was in fact this political force – the environmentalists – that put an end to the Flins project, a site that was supposed to bring France back onto the F1 map. Earlier this year, when discussions were held over the possibility of building a circuit in the aforementioned region, it was the very Jouanno who opposed the idea.
Afterwards, he held some private meetings with FIA's new president Jean Todt, asking him to “initiate discussions to carbon-offset all the (F1) races.”
Google News