Ecclestone names date for possible Magny Cours return in 2013
Nov.6 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has named Magny Cours as the likely venue for a 2013 French Grand Prix.
Quadruple world champion Alain Prost was in Abu Dhabi last weekend for talks with the F1 chief executive about Paul Ricard's race bid, and potential investors.
But Ecclestone is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "If we go to France (next year), it will be Magny Cours."
With three French drivers now on the grid, Ecclestone and France are contemplating the race's revival, after the 2013 calendar shrank from 20 to 19 races due to the problems in New Jersey.
Paul Ricard was until now considered the obvious favourite, partly due to the Le Castellet venue's links to Ecclestone.
But Ecclestone insisted Paul Ricard is not owned by him but is merely part of his family trust called Bambino, which is "nothing to do with me".
"If we go to France, it will be Magny Cours," he added.
The 82-year-old Briton goes so far as to admit a potential date is lined up -- 23 June, the week before Silverstone.
"That would make sense, wouldn't it?" said Ecclestone.
New Jersey was set to take place next June 16, the week after Canada, but the race's delay has now caused a theoretical three-week gap between Canada and Britain.
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
The 25 greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, ranked
Top 10 F1 drivers of the 1980s
Marc Marquez vows to go on "attack" after declaring Pedro Acosta fastest at Japanese GP
"Make all mistakes now" – Why Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar want Red Bull to experiment for 2027
Flavio Briatore moves on from Franco Colapinto crash: 'I was upset but the past is the past'
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the passes
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments