Pierre Gasly "sorry" for fans impacted by French GP date change

French Grand Prix

Gasly "sorry" for fans impacted by French GP date change

The French Grand Prix was moved forward one week the Turkish race was cancelled

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Wednesday 19 May 2021 16:20

Pierre Gasly hopes F1 will 'offer a solution' to fans unable to attend the French Grand Prix following its recent late date change.

After the Turkish GP was cancelled due to travel restrictions imposed by the British government, the race at the Paul Ricard circuit was altered to a week earlier than its original June 27 date to create space for back-to-back races in Austria.

For some fans that had booked tickets, travel and accommodation, it has not been possible to alter bookings for the rearranged date.

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Asked for his thoughts on the impact the change would have had on fans, AlphaTauri driver Gasly conceded: “It was a bit surprising because I think it is in a month so it is obviously coming very fast.

"It’s sad to see that people won’t be able to come anymore because I guess it is quite a big organisation for some people and also a lot of money just to come and support us.

“I feel very sorry for these people who were badly impacted by this change, this last-moment change.

“I hope there will be solutions to offer to these people to at least pay them back and hopefully, I don’t know, give them tickets for next year or find some solutions.

“I am still happy we get to race in France. Last year it wasn’t the case and I am glad to see the GP is still on the calendar for this season.

"I am really excited about it but, obviously, it is quite sad to see that change and that it has affected some people negatively.”

Alpine driver Esteban Ocon, who has raced on home soil only once in F1, echoed the comments of his countryman.

“It is obviously just very hard to organise yourself at the moment with all the changes that are happening in the world," said Ocon.

"Seeing the French Grand Prix moving, obviously, it will cause big difficulties for the fans that were planning to come.

“It is not the greatest news but as Pierre said, we are very pleased that it is still on the calendar. I think the latest news we would have hated to see is the grand prix not being on the calendar anymore.

“It is still great news that it is there but I hope we will see a lot of fans out there and that they will hopefully find solutions to come even if it is early and hard to organise.”