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[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

By Jonathan Noble Friday, June 20th 2008, 11:40 GMT

The new proposed Magny-Cours circuitCircuit bosses at Magny-Cours have unveiled ambitious plans for a major redevelopment of the French circuit in a bid to keep hold of the country's Formula One race.

Amid continuing uncertainty about if the French GP will remain on the calendar after this year, with Bernie Ecclestone saying he does not want F1 back at Magny-Cours, track officials have launched their counter move to convince F1 to remain at the circuit.

Labelled as 'Magny-Cours 2', the redevelopment plans for the track include new pits, a wider pitlane and start-finish straight, an improved paddock and office facilities plus better corporate hospitality facilities.

Grandstands will also be revised while hotel facilities nearby will be enhanced.

A statement issued by race organisers said: "All these changes shape the underlying basis for 'Magny-Cours 2', which is now an indispensable element in safeguarding the future.

"This project is essential not only if Formula One racing is to remain in the Nievre and in Bourgogne, but also if France as a country is to remain attractive to Formula One racing."

The new facilities may lessen some of Ecclestone's concerns, but the fact still remains that the circuit is as dull as dishwater!

[Jensonb]

From autosport.com:

By Jonathan Noble Friday, June 20th 2008, 11:40 GMT

The new proposed Magny-Cours circuitCircuit bosses at Magny-Cours have unveiled ambitious plans for a major redevelopment of the French circuit in a bid to keep hold of the country's Formula One race.

Amid continuing uncertainty about if the French GP will remain on the calendar after this year, with Bernie Ecclestone saying he does not want F1 back at Magny-Cours, track officials have launched their counter move to convince F1 to remain at the circuit.

Labelled as 'Magny-Cours 2', the redevelopment plans for the track include new pits, a wider pitlane and start-finish straight, an improved paddock and office facilities plus better corporate hospitality facilities.

Grandstands will also be revised while hotel facilities nearby will be enhanced.

A statement issued by race organisers said: "All these changes shape the underlying basis for 'Magny-Cours 2', which is now an indispensable element in safeguarding the future.

"This project is essential not only if Formula One racing is to remain in the Nievre and in Bourgogne, but also if France as a country is to remain attractive to Formula One racing."

The new facilities may lessen some of Ecclestone's concerns, but the fact still remains that the circuit is as dull as dishwater!

Unfortunately, it's the corporate facilities and the pits which he cares about. His love for Tilke Tracks shows us he doesn't care if the circuit is dull

[bud]

too little too late?

[KyrosV]

nooo! the whole point the french GP doesnt work at the moment, is because its miles away from anywhere in the country

ok french GP organisers lets sit down and think...

move it to somewhere more accessable (sp), gay paris! Lyon! marseille! canne! or my personnal fav.. Brest!

have a word..

[7UpJordan]

I don't think the circuit organisers have twigged that the reason why F1 is moving from Magny Cours is because the track is in the middle of nowhere and is dull, not because of its facilities. This won't save the track from being ditched regardless of how good the new facilities are.

[Kiwi_Chris]

Magny- Cours is an odd track, all the pieces are there for a good circut but somehow it doesnt come together, they would be just as good finding a site close to Paris starting from scratch and not going near herman tike or the magny cour designer, atm i really dont see a french grand prix on the calander next year

[McLaren Fan]

Magny- Cours is an odd track, all the pieces are there for a good circut but somehow it doesnt come together, they would be just as good finding a site close to Paris starting from scratch and not going near herman tike or the magny cour designer, atm i really dont see a french grand prix on the calander next year

Same here, which is a shame really, given the historical connexion between France and motorsport. That said, I wouldn't feel as devastated as I would if Silverstone was to be removed. The reason, from a fan's point of view, is that the circuit is boring. On top of that, Ecclestone hates the circuit because it's in the middle of nowhere and the facilities are relatively average, and the drivers hate it because the circuit because (as said) it's awful. It's not in Formula One's best interests to not have a French Grand Prix, but it is in Formula One's best interests to not have Magny-Cours on the calendar. Whether Magny-Cours can be kept on the calendar for a few more years until a new venue is ready or whether the French Grand Prix has to be dropped for a few seasons until a new venue is found, I don't know.

[McLaren Fan]

From Planet F1:

Bourdais: French GP must stay
Saturday 21st June 2008

French driver Sebastien Bourdais is adamant his home grand prix has to remain on the Formula One calendar.

Although there is again talk Magny-Cours is staging its last race this year, Circuit de Nevers officials have announced major plans for improvements.

Like Silverstone and the British Grand Prix, it is hoped the revamp will be enough to convince F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to shelve his plans to move the race to another venue.

The circuit's remoteness, in the heart of France away from cities and airports, has always been a thorn in its side, and reason as to why Ecclestone has long mooted a move to a venue near Paris.

But four-time ChampCar Champion Bourdais, competing in his first French Grand Prix for Toro Rosso this weekend, hopes the matter can be resolved.

Bourdais feels the race cannot afford to fall by the wayside, with the 29-year-old commenting: "People keep saying the race will not be here next year.

"But I don't care what they say. We'll see what happens. I think there have been good negotiations with the French government, and everybody is on the same frequency.

"France is obviously a big nation of racing, and we need a French Grand Prix - it's as simple as that.

"It doesn't matter whether it is here (Magny-Cours) or somewhere else.

"If we want to do it somewhere else, we are going to need a bit of time because it's not going to happen overnight.

"I personally hope we will see it here again next year because we can't afford to have a blank year and not come to France. That would drop the interest."

Bourdais appreciates there is no other venue in France that could host a grand prix at present.

Whilst Paris is Ecclestone's preferred stage, Bourdais feels the logistics and cost involved would prove problematic.

"It would have to be a new project," added Bourdais.

"The Bugatti (at Le Mans) is not a Formula One track and I don't think the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) is very interested.

"Paul Ricard is now very atypical, and not really usable for a Formula One grand prix, so it would have to be a new site.

"It would be a huge undertaking. You need to find the right place to build it, and that would take time, but I think they're looking at it very closely.

"It couldn't be in Paris, but it could be nearby. That's probably the best option.

"But it would be very complex, and it would take a huge amount of money to get the project done."