ESTEBAN OCON ATTENDS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE KENNOL FRENCH HISTORIC GP !

JEAN ALESI BACK IN HIS 1995 CANADIAN GP–WINNING FERRARI

• Jean Alesi will drive the 1995 Ferrari 412 T2

• The last V12 powered Formula 1 car in history

• And one of the most beautiful single-seaters of its generation

The KENNOL French Historic Grand Prix made a big splash last year, with a record attendance of 106,000 spectators and the presence of many major motorsport personalities. The same excitement is expected on May 8, 9 and 10, with several Formula 1 drivers – including some still active – already confirming their attendance at the Paul Ricard circuit. The first to be announced is none other than the circuit’s president, Jean Alesi… and the French driver is not coming empty‑handed!

AN EMOTIONAL RETURN

While his presence at the KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique comes as no surprise, seeing the president of the Paul Ricard circuit back behind the wheel of the Ferrari 412 T2 certainly does. This is the most defining car of his career – the one that earned him victory at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix. That moment remains iconic in F1 history, marking Jean Alesi’s only win from 32 podiums and 201 starts.

The Ferrari 412 T2 is also remembered as one of the most elegant single-seaters of its era, thanks in particular to its raised nose — far more graceful than the high‑nose designs typical of the 1990s. Designed in England — a sacrilege! — by John Barnard, it introduced a clutch control positioned behind the steering wheel, a system intended to give drivers greater finesse at the start… although Jean Alesi never used it in a race! He always preferred the traditional pedal, and his lightning‑fast starts proved him right.

The Ferrari 412 T2 will go down in history as the last F1 car — from any manufacturer — to be powered by a V12 engine: the 3‑litre Tipo 044. A true engineering masterpiece, delivering 720 hp at 14,500 rpm. Enough to thrill the crowds at the KENNOL French Historic Grand Prix! 

Jean Alesi, president of the Paul Ricard circuit: “I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the Ferrari 412 T2, the best F1 car I've ever driven. It was fast and well balanced, but unfortunately fragile. Everyone remembers my victory in Montreal in 1995, but they often forget that I was also fighting for wins in Barcelona, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Suzuka. In fact, the 1995 Japanese Grand Prix was probably the best race of my career. It had started badly, though, as I was penalised with a stop-and-go for jumping the start because of the downhill straight. Furious at this unfair decision, I charged back and caught Michael Schumacher’s Benetton in just six laps, before the differential failed. This car will always hold a special place in my tifosi heart.”

BREAKING NEWS: ESTEBAN OCON ATTENDS FOR THE FIRST TIME!

• Esteban Ocon will be present on Saturday and Sunday

• This is his first appearance at the KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique

• He’ll be driving a red single-seater…

Esteban Ocon will take part for the very first time in the KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique. The French driver, who will be racing for the Haas F1 Team in 2026, will take to the track on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May as part of the “Fast & Famous” demonstration. He will be behind the wheel of a red single-seater…

MORE THAN 200 CARS RACING

• Seven grids and 12 races over the weekend

• Single seaters, endurance prototypes and touring cars

• Action, day and night

In addition to Formula 1 demonstrations driven by major names in the sport, the weekend will feature a series of races. And there will be something for everyone!

GRID 1 – MASTERS RACING LEGENDS

F1 from 1966 to 1985 / Two 25-minute races

On the grid are Formula 1 cars built during the most engineering-rich period in the history of the discipline. From the mid 1960s “cigar-shaped” cars to the flat-bottomed single-seaters and the formidable ground effect machines, the appearance of these single-seaters never ceases to amaze us. New for the 2026 edition: turbocharged engines are now allowed.

GRID 2 – F2 CLASSIC INTERSERIES

F2 from 1967 to 1978 / Two 11 lap races

In the 1960s and 1970s, the stepping stone to F1 was not a single-make series, but an open category in which the best craftsmen-builders competed: Brabham, Chevron, Lola, March, Martini, etc. With 1.6 litre and later 2 litre engines, these “small” 500 kg single‑seaters saw future “big” stars emerge, including Jacky Ickx, Jean‑Pierre Beltoise, Jean‑Pierre Jabouille and René Arnoux.

GRID 3 – F3 CLASSIC INTERSERIES

F3 from 1971 to 1984 / Two 10 lap races

Aspiring drivers who passed through F3 in the 1970s and 1980s all dreamed of winning at Monaco, under the watchful eyes of F1 team bosses. The unwritten rule was that the winner would jump straight to F1 the following year, skipping F2 entirely. The list of winners includes Patrick Depailler, Jacques Laffite, Didier Pironi and Alain Prost. The cars are Martini, Chevron, March or Ralt models, restored in their original liveries.

GRID 4 – MASTERS ENDURANCE LEGENDS

Prototypes and GTs from 1995 to 2016 / One 100-minute race

This series features cars beloved by Millennials and Gen Z – for one simple reason: they’ve driven them in simulators! As at Le Mans, the race takes place day and night on Saturday evening. As at Le Mans, prototypes and GTs compete side by side. The fastest are the LMP1s (Lola, Peugeot, Pescarolo, Zytek), but connoisseurs always keep an eye on the battle in GT (Aston Martin Vantage, Bentley Continental, Ferrari 458, BMW Z4).

GRID 5 – FORMULE RENAULT CLASSIC

Formula Renault from 1995 to 2009 and pre 2015 F4 / Two 10 lap races

After their karting years, many drivers – including Felipe Massa, Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell – began single seater careers in FR2.0 or F4. Built between 2000 and 2009 and powered by the Clio II RS 2 litre 4 cylinder, the Tatuus FR2000 became the world’s most widely produced single seater: nearly 1,000 units for European, Asian and American series.

GRID 6 – MASTERS GROUP C

Prototypes from 1982 to 1993 / Two 30-minute races

Based on fuel consumption restrictions, the Group C regulations gave designers huge freedom. Privateers like Courage, Rondeau and Spice made the most of it, though they couldn’t prevent Porsche’s dominance in the early 1980s. The challenge eventually came from major manufacturers: first Lancia, then Jaguar, Mercedes, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Peugeot in the early 1990s.

GRID 7 – 200 KM

Prototypes, GTs and Touring Cars from before 2001 / One 90-minute race

In historic racing, a 90‑minute race is already considered an endurance event. Here, as at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, up to three drivers can share a car, though the bravest – and fittest – may choose to go solo. As for the eligible models, the choice is worthy of a video game: Chrysler Viper GTS‑R, Ford GT40, Porsche 935 K3, Shelby Cobra…