Masters LMP and GT series gets French Grand Prix F1 support slot
The fledging Masters Endurance Legends series, for Le Mans prototype and GT cars built between 1995 and 2012, will support Formula 1 at the revived French Grand Prix in June
The French GP returns to the F1 calendar after a 10-year absence this season, with Ricard hosting it for the first time since 1990.
Masters Endurance Legends started with a pilot race at Spa last September and gained immediate support as teams and drivers took the chance to use cars that had no other place to race in Europe.
Having an F1 support race at such an early point in the development of the series is a massive coup for the Masters organisation and comes shortly after its Historic Formula 1 Championship was announced as a support race to the British GP.
The Ricard double-header adds to an already-announced six-race programme for 2018, with other events at Imola, Brands Hatch, Silverstone, the Nurburgring, Spa and Dijon.
Some of the cars involved in the MEL series raced at Ricard in the European Le Mans Series and International Sports Racing Series in period.
"I'm proud that in its first year Masters Endurance Legends will be able to showcase its spectacular variety during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of France weekend," said Masters Historic Racing founder Ron Maydon.
"The Paul Ricard circuit is perfect for these cars, as they will be able to really stretch their legs on the straight while the technical return section is a true challenge for any driver.
"Building on our experience in staging Historic Formula 1 support races at grand prix weekends, I'm sure we will put on a good show for the French crowd."
Gilles Dufeigneux, general director of the 2018 French GP, welcomed the news.
"The French Grand Prix along with the Paul Ricard circuit has a strong heritage in motorsport," he said.
"Welcoming historic cars as a support race on the weekend Formula 1 returns to French soil after a 10-year absence is a great news. Everybody at the French Grand Prix is excited to welcome this great series."
The inaugural Masters Endurance Legends race at Spa-Francorchamps last September featured a 22-car grid, topped by the Peugeot 908X of Nicolas Minassian.
Prototypes from ORECA, Dallara, Audi and Pescarolo plus Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari and Dodge GT cars also featured.
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