JANUARY 18, 2002

Former Prost PR heads Paul Ricard promotional team

Marie-Pierre Dupasquier, formerly the Prost Grand Prix press officer, is the new head of public relations for the Paul Ricard facility.

MARIE-PIERRE DUPASQUIER, formerly the Prost Grand Prix press officer, is the new head of public relations for the Paul Ricard facility which features the "High Tech Test Track", the Castellet airport and the Hotel du Castellet. The facilities are all owned by Paris-based company Excelis AS, which is run by Philippe Gurdjian, former promoter of the French GP, and are owned by F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Excelis is keen for the facility to be used extensively by the F1 teams but to date this has not happened as testing fees are rather higher than at other tracks. Toyota has a deal to use the track but at the moment no other F1 teams have paid a visit.

Paul Ricard is expected to bid for the French GP when the current contract with Magny-Cours expires. The track, in the hills behind Toulon, was always a popular F1 venue although the crowds tended to stay away.