The Origins… :

1900 :

The Glorious … Thirties

1930 :

After a long rest, motor racing is back to Pau when the Automobile Club de France asks the Automobile Club Basco Béarnais to organise its Grand Prix. A Bugatti 35 takes the lead.

1933 :

First Grand Prix de Pau as a street circuit: The scenery is definitely set up.

1935 :

Nuvolari wins behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo run by a team named …Scuderia Ferrari.

1939 :

Final pre-war Grand Prix won by conquering Mercedes…

Post WWII: Forza Italia!

1947 :

First post-war Grand Prix, first race of the season, the Grand Prix de Pau benefits from a major fame. The Maseratis start a four-year reign ever the race.

1949 :

Fangio carries off his first European prize; bringing up the same the following year.

1952 :

Formula 2 joins Formula 1 in Pau. But never mind the formula, Ferrari understands the success' one: three years in a row two of them with Ascari.

1954 :

Jean Behra, then Maurice Trintignant put an end to the Italian domination.

1958 :

Whilst F2 definitely sets up in Pau, a brand new race appears, the "3 Hours of Pau" putting together the very popular GTs, including Ferrari 250 GTs at the front row.

The '60', definitely the gentlemen driver's years…

…Maurice Trintignant and driver-manufacturer Jack Brabham do not hesitate to drive the smaller F2s to race in Pau.

1961 :

Jim Clark is the rookie of the Grand Prix de Pau. He is definitely the rookie of the sixties; taking four victories for Lotus, a record not yet equalled!

1967 :

The Brabhams prevail on the French circuit and fresh French motor racing appears: Beltoise and Pescarolo make their debuts in Pau.

1968 :

Matra story also pops up in Formula 2's prize list thanks to Jackie Stewart.

French drivers make their come back on the podium during the '70's

…which see the car manufacturers progressive dying out, leaving room for the small workshops such as March and Osella, as well as to the drivers-manufacturers as Tico Martini.

1973 :

François Cevert is on the podium first step.

1977 :

Patrick Tambay and Jacques Laffite, now F1 racing drivers make their come back to Pau. But René Arnoux, on Martini, is the French winner of the race.

F2 or F3000, whatsoever formula, Pau remains definitely F1 main gate

1980 :

The fortieth Grand Prix de Pau is back again under France's banner. Nevertheless Richard Dallest signs the end of the French predomination …

1985 :

New impulse for the Grand Prix de Pau: Alain Prost co-organises the event and F3000 replaces Formula 2

1987 :

A storm rains down over the Grand Prix… which however takes place!

1989 :

Jean Alesi's first F3000 victory. More than ever, Pau is the breeding ground for Formula 1.

2005 :

Lewis Hamilton wins the Grand Prix de Pau: Definitely promising!