Boullier hails 2018 French GP as a 'success' despite traffic issues

  • Published on 26 Feb 2019 16:11
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Eric Boullier says that return of the French Grand Prix in 2018 was a success, despite the major traffic issues that occurred throughout the weekend.

Fans were stuck in traffic for hours as they made their way to the circuit during the three days, which was made more difficult by the hot weather that was present.

Boullier, who left his role at McLaren midway through the 2018 season, was recently confirmed in a new position with the French Grand Prix, as its sport and operational strategic advisor.

Although he admitted to the traffic issues that surrounded the weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard last year, Boullier believes that the event as a whole was a success.

"There are a lot of challenges, last year, traffic was one of them," he said in Barcelona. "We know the place, but as a first event, and I'm not trying to bullshit anybody, it was a success. It was a Grand Prix that was successful for many, many, many reasons.

"Obviously there was a dark side, and I say the dark side in regards to the traffic, especially on the Friday. There has been a lot of work done to understand [the situation]. We all know Paul Ricard is difficult to access sometimes, but I think there are a few things that have been cleverly worked on to make sure the traffic is much smoother."

Gilles Dufeigneux, the general director of the French Grand Prix, has assured that processes are in place to deal with the circulation problems it faced last year.

"Last year public authorities were in charge of the mobility plans," he said. "We, as promoters, worked with a well-known engineering company that works with Ryder Cup golf, Euro 2016 and the 2024 Olympics. We had a contract with this company that delivered a lot of people, studies and proposals.

"Afterwards, we worked with this famous company on artificial intelligence, so this year it's our plan. We presented the work to the local authorities and the local state bodies."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jan 1 1951 (73)
  • Place of b. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, West Germany, DE
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar