Photo Carlo Senten
Masters Historic Racing kicked off the 2024 season in style with packed grids at the Grand Prix de France Historique, at the Paul Ricard racetrack in Le Castellet.
For this first event of the season, Masters Historic Racing added two types of cars to the program of the Grand Prix de France Historique. There were two races for the Masters Endurance Legends series and two Formula 1 races (1966-1985). The program further counted historic F2 and F3 races, a Lotus 7 cup and other competitions. Highlights were the big names to went out in F1 demos as well.
Alain Prost did some laps in the McLaren M29, with which he made his F1 debut in 1980. Let’s not forget, Prost was a quadruple winner of the French GP at Paul Ricard. Another legend behind the wheel at the GP de France Historique was Jean Alesi, currently serving as director of the circuit. Alesi went out in the Ferrari 412T he drove for Scuderia Ferrari in 1994.
René Arnoux drove his 1979 Renault RS10, Philippe Alliot was in a Lola Larrousse, and then of course we had Gerhard Berger in Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren MP4/6, and Jacky Ickx in his 1972 Ferrari 312B. With a list like this, no wonder your event draws 80,000 spectators.
On Masters Historic’s racing side, first of all, there were the two historic Formula 1 races. 36 cars lined up for race 1, with Mike Cantillon (UK) winning the race overall in his Williams FW07C (1982). Werner d’Ansembourg (B) followed in second place in a Brabham BT49 (1982), with Ken Tyrrell (USA) in the 1982 Tyrrell 011 rounding out the podium.
Race 2 saw Oliver Webb (UK) win a close-fought battle in the Hesketh 308B (1974). Martin Stretton (UK) in the Tyrrell 012 (1983) was just a second behind, with Christophe d’Ansembourg (B) finishing in third spot in a Williams FW07C (1981.)
Race 1 for Masters Endurance Legends ran over 40 minutes. Overall winner here was Steve Brooks (UK) in the Peugeot 90X (2011). Christophe d’Ansembourg (2009 Lola Aston Martin DBR1-2) followed 7.1 seconds later in second place. d’Ansembourg had to fend of Jamie Constable in the 2004 Zytek, just 0.3 seconds behind.
Race 2 saw a repeat performance from Steve Brooks, albeit without the comfy cushion for the lead. Brooks held on to a 0.7-second lead over Kriton Lendoudis (GR) in his 2007 Peugeot 908. d’Ansembourg crossing the line in third place.
Masters Historic Racing next meeting is the Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch (UK) on May 25-26.
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