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French GP could return for 2013 - Bernie Ecclestone
The French Grand Prix could return to the Formula 1 calendar next year for the first time in five years, according to Bernie Ecclestone.
F1's commercial boss said the race could replace the New Jersey event that was cancelled last week.
"We are ready to sign a contract," said Ecclestone, who turned 82 on Sunday.
Classic F1 - French Grand Prix 1991 (UK users only)
"Which circuit they are going to use is one thing... Who is going to pay for it, that's the bottom line. If they are ready, we can slot it in the calendar."
The two options are Le Castellet in the south of France and Magny-Cours in the centre of the country, which last hosted the race in 2008.
The potential return of the French GP has become quite a saga. A series of plans have been mooted over recent years, all of which have fallen through for various reasons.
The French government under new President Francois Hollande has made it clear it will not contribute financially to reviving the grand prix.
That means local government in the respective regions would have to find the funding, and so far they have failed to do so.
The race is important to F1 because the first ever grand prix was held in France in 1906.
Indian Grand Prix 2012, day three
- Sunday, 28 October: Race: 09:30 GMT 5 Live & online; Race highlights: 14:05-15:45 GMT, BBC One; repeated BBC Two 01:00-02:40 GMT
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Comment number 59.
Steve30th October 2012 - 11:17
If it is at paul ricard lets hope they use the full length mistral!!
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Comment number 58.
busterrabbit30th October 2012 - 10:51
Let's hope it goes to Bernie's circuit, Le Castellet, but that it pays the same extortionate fees as other circuits have to.
When he's lost £000,000s perhaps he'll see things from the other side. EVERY F1 event loses the local organisers money. As his daughter's wedding cost £1/2 million I doubt it will change his selfish attitude at all, he'll probably use it to offset his tax liability!
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Comment number 57.
Typical_English_No830th October 2012 - 9:50
Basically it's going to be a no brainer for Bernie, hold a race at a circuit he owns?? Can't see why they don't have a race at Le Mans, with the circuit being 13km long, 25 laps and you've got the normal F1 race distance. Would be like a proper old school circuit.
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Comment number 56.
Bungabine30th October 2012 - 0:53
I'd love a return to Magny-cors, a track that through up the occasional cracker and was fun for the drivers as well as a good watch on tv. It got a bit of stick for 'being in the middle of nowhere' as was said a few times, but this is no more the case then the newer breed of tracks that lack character. If not Magny-cor then why not Le Mans short circuit, or Dijon? Classic race tracks ready to go!
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Comment number 55.
Iain29th October 2012 - 19:44
The heartbeat of F1 lies in Europe so France would be welcome. On the other hand this flies in the face of what Bernie said over the weekend. Make your mind up Bernie!!
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Comments 5 of 59