Oh la la - the French

[darwin dali]

ESPNF1:
The French Grand Prix is close to making a return to Formula One, according to the delegate in charge of bringing the race back.

Gilles Dufeigneux, who in June was appointed by French prime minister Francois Fillon to lead efforts to arrange the race's comeback, met with Bernie Ecclestone at the Belgian Grand Prix earlier this year and insists: "Things are moving in a very real way".

Nice-Matin is reporting that the event will be staged at Paul Ricard, with an annual race date alternating with Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps.

"All the indicators are green now, or soon will be," added Dufeigneux. "My current mood is summarised with three words: optimism, prudence, humility. We have entered the stage of completion and we can say that final decisions will be made very soon, in January or early February."

The last French Grand Prix took place at Magny-Cours in 2008.




Too bad Spa will be on an alternating schedule with the French GP, but at least it won't be cancelled altogether.

[JamesD89]

The sport loses here - regardless of how much extra money is made. The quality of sports such as Motor Racing & Golf are venue dependent - I'd be gutted to see Spa relegated.

[andrew]

The French GP has been returning for a few seasons but local politics always seem to be the stumbling point. The story of Paul Ricard and Spa alternating is nothing new and reports have been non-committal for a while. Having 2 French drivers on the grid might help in creating some local interest and help push this over the line at long last. However if it means we only get Spa every 2 years they can keep their french GP!

[darwin dali]

I think it's not that the French GP would displace Spa every other year - Spa has been struggling financially for a while now and hinted at such a solution before, so this would actually help Spa to continue holding GPs in the long-term.

[myownalias]

I haven't missed the French GP since it disappeared, infact I can't even tell you the last time the French GP was run, that gives you an idea of how importance the French GP is to me... so I'd rather keep Spa on the yearly calendar than have a French GP, although I suspect having three French drivers will probably push a deal through!

I think it's not that the French GP would displace Spa every other year - Spa has been struggling financially for a while now and hinted at such a solution before, so this would actually help Spa to continue holding GPs in the long-term.

I think that every track struggles financially, Bernie's hosting fees are so extortionate that ticket prices rise and rise, which prices many fans out... Besides F1 in Europe is dead don't you know?

[acosmichippo]

yeah, forget France and Belgium. We need at least 6 or 7 more GP's in the US.

[bud]

F off Valencia and reinstate France leave Spa the F alone

[madbrad]

I don't know anything about Paul Ricard except that it's where Sir Frank had his accident, but I can remember the commentators talking about how the drivers disliked Magny Cours. Boring was the word used.
There are newer tracks I could do without, especially if they made way for more traditional fare like this.

[racechick]

F off Valencia and reinstate France leave Spa the F alone

[cheekybru]

no spa every season???

[What's Burning?]

If no one bought tickets to Valencia in 2012, would it come back on the calendar in 2013?

[McLaren]

If no one bought tickets to Valencia in 2012, would it come back on the calendar in 2013?

Yes on the grounds it has a harbour for the dwarfs boat

[Kyros]

And with all the young french talent coming through its good timing! Sadly its a shame it will be rotated while the Valencia skidmark will continue to bore us year after year!

[LewEngBridewell]

Like myownalias, I have not felt the loss of the French GP so much since the last race was held at Magny-Cours. The track never produced the best of races, so I hope the French GP, if re-instated, goes elsewhere, like Paul Ricard (as has been mentioned).

This alternating with Spa is a idea. But, sadly, to be expected under the current climate.

[elfinitty]

I'd rather SPA billions of times.After today,i dont want to hear anything about France-check the news if you wonder why-,i would even rather Valencia to French GP.