Formula 2, the flagship discipline, went through some major change - the disappearance of the constructors who were generally involved in Formula 1 (Lotus, Brabham, BRM, etc...) and the arrival of new British makes such as Chevron and Mach. Now the discipline also became a testing ground for both Formula 1 drivers and teams.

We should also note that at the beginning of the seventies the petroleum company Elf, based near Pau, became involved both in Formula 2, and in supporting the Pau event.

It was during this era more than any other that the discipline of Formula 2 became the final step before moving up to Formula One. The start of this period saw domination by French drivers - Patrick Depailler, René Arnoux, Jacques Laffite, Patrick Tambay, Jean Pierre Jabouille, Alain Prost and Didier Pironi, to name just a few.

From 1980 onwards, despite the quality of the spectacle it offered, the Grand Prix de Pau would have to live through some difficult moments - the French weren't winning any more, and Formula 2 was going through a delicate time. The increase in costs and poor coverage by the media would get the better of Formula 2. Once again the Grand Prix was under threat, and a new chapter about to open.