Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone does not believe the French Grand Prix will return to the calendar before 2011.
The event was axed from the 2009 calendar after the French motorsport federation withdrew its support of the race at Magny-Cours due to lack of funds.
And last week Euro Disney and the Lagardere Sports group withdrew their joint bid to host the race at the Val d’Europe circuit in Paris, severing hopes of finding an alternative venue.
Bernie Ecclestone does not think France will be able to host a grand prix before 2010 but says it important that the country finds the right venue.
“I’ve always thought it was the right spot for us, that it was the new location that suited the French Grand Prix,” Ecclestone told L’Equipe.
“I think it is quite sure (that there will be no race in 2010). We went to Magny-Cours for the wrong reasons, for political reasons.
“Let’s try and avoid a repeat. What we want is to find for sure the right spot because the French GP has to be long-lasting.”
