French Government Restrictions Set To Squeeze ELMS?

A further major wrinkle for the ELMS date at Paul Ricard emerged today as the French Health Ministry announced that a Bill extending a state of emergency until July 24, is set to place major temporary restrictions on freedom of movement.

As the country looks set to loosen domestic lockdown controls from 11 May, a concurrent tightening of controls for travellers to France, including those returning home, is planned.

Those measures include a compulsory two-week quarantine and possible isolation on arrival in France.

The scope of those controls is yet to be published but if carried through as announced it would add major practical difficulties that could prevent the ELMS paddock from gathering as planned for a race on 19 July.

29 cars of the full-season ELMS grid are based outside France together with the vast majority of announced drivers, including drivers from across Europe, USA, Canada and Colombia.