• French Grand Prix

Magny Cours targeting F1 return

ESPNF1 Staff
July 2, 2010 « Mercedes clarifies Rosberg's remarks | »
Magny Cours' chairman is keen to see the circuit return to F1 © Sutton Images
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Magny Cours' new boss is positioning the French circuit for a possible return to the Formula One calendar.

The venue, and the country, disappeared from the sport after the 2008 season, and attempts to revive the French Grand Prix at an alternate site have failed so far. One of Bernie Ecclestone's criticisms of Magny Cours was the difficulty of the journey from Paris. But according to circuit chairman Serge Saulnier, improvements mean travellers will soon be "able to come from Paris without interruption to the door of the circuit".

"If France is reinstated on the calendar in the near future, it could only be at Magny Cours," he added. "The key to F1's return to France is the promotion. It is necessary to renegotiate the price to a reasonable level. We know that the state or the local authorities are not going to put in five or six million euros for the loss. If there is a chance of having the grand prix back, the negotiation - as it was for the grand prix of Canada - must be done to be on a reasonable basis. We are going to work on it discreetly, and without haste."

Saulnier became chairman of Magny Cours earlier this year, after running and owning racing teams earlier in his career and recently working as boss of Peugeot Sport.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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