AtanariaThe 2026 edition of the KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique burst into life on Friday at the legendary Circuit Paul Ricard, as historic Formula 1 machinery, endurance prototypes and classic junior formula cars returned to one of motorsport’s most iconic venues. More than 225 historic competition cars are taking part across the weekend, including over 60 Formula 1 machines from the 1970s through the 2010s.
Day 1 focused primarily on private testing and qualifying sessions, but the atmosphere already felt like a full racing weekend. From the howl of V10-era Formula 1 engines to Group C monsters screaming down the Mistral Straight, Paul Ricard delivered a spectacular opening chapter.
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Friday programme — a packed opening day
Track action began at 8:40 AM with sessions for sub-2L single-seaters before the historic Formula 2 and Formula 3 machinery took over the circuit throughout the morning. The Friday schedule also featured:
- Masters Racing Legends (pre-1986 Formula 1)
- Masters Group C
- Masters Endurance Legends
- F2 & F3 Classic Interseries
- Formula Renault Classic
- Hypercar parades
- Historic F1 demonstrations and parade runs
The afternoon shifted toward qualifying runs, with drivers pushing harder as track temperatures climbed in the Var sunshine.
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Historic Formula 1 steals the show
One of the biggest crowd magnets on Friday was the Masters Racing Legends field — historic Formula 1 cars from the golden era of the sport. McLaren Marlboro machines, Williams classics, Ligiers and V10-era cars thundered through Signes and Beausset in scenes that felt pulled straight from a VHS recording of the 1980s.
The Ligier entries proved especially popular with the French crowd, while the unmistakable red-and-white McLaren liveries drew spectators trackside all day long.
The weekend also features special demonstration runs from modern-era Formula 1 machinery. Isack Hadjar is scheduled to drive the championship-winning Red Bull RB7 during the weekend, while Pierre Gasly will take part in demonstration runs aboard the legendary Renault RS10 — the car that gave Renault its first Formula 1 victory at Dijon in 1979.
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Friday’s standout categories
Masters Group C
The Group C prototypes once again looked spectacular under braking into Signes. Porsche and Jaguar machinery dominated attention in the paddock, with fans packed along the fences to hear the cars echo through the hills of Le Castellet.
Masters Endurance Legends
Modern classics from endurance racing brought a different flavour to Friday’s running, with GT and prototype machinery from the late 1990s and 2000s sharing the circuit. The category continues to be one of the fastest attractions of the weekend.
F2 & F3 Classic Interseries
The lightweight Formula 2 and Formula 3 grids provided some of the busiest sessions of the day, with drivers maximizing every lap during qualifying simulations.
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Stars and legends in the paddock
Away from the track, Friday already delivered a remarkable collection of motorsport personalities. Alain Prost, Mika Häkkinen and Jacques Villeneuve all drew huge crowds in the paddock and autograph zones, while current Formula 1 drivers Isack Hadjar, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon added a modern touch to the historic atmosphere.
The mix of generations remains one of the event’s defining characteristics — where world champions, historic race cars and future Formula 1 hopefuls all share the same paddock.
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Paul Ricard remains the perfect setting
The Circuit Paul Ricard once again proved why it remains such an ideal home for historic racing. The long Mistral Straight, expansive runoff areas and panoramic spectator views allowed fans to fully appreciate the speed and sound of the historic machinery.
With clear weather throughout Friday, conditions were ideal for both drivers and spectators, creating packed grandstands and a buzzing paddock atmosphere from the first session to sunset.
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What comes next?
Saturday will bring the first competitive races of the weekend, alongside the highly anticipated demonstration runs and parade sessions. Attention will especially turn toward:
- Masters Racing Legends races
- Group C battles
- Red Bull RB7 demonstrations
- Renault RS10 showcase runs
- Fast & Famous sessions featuring current F1 stars
If Friday was any indication, the 2026 Grand Prix de France Historique is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions yet. Le Castellet has already delivered the noise, the nostalgia and the spectacle — and the real racing has only just begun.
