Formula 1
French GP suspended from 2008 calendar
Every year there seems to be a race under threat and the French Motor Sporting Federation (FFSA) has confirmed recent speculation that the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours may not be on the 2008 calendar. The FFSA released a statement saying that a ...
Published: Mar 31, 2007, 12:33 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Every year there seems to be a race under threat and the French Motor Sporting Federation (FFSA) has confirmed recent speculation that the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours may not be on the 2008 calendar. The FFSA released a statement saying that a Committee meeting had agreed to suspend next year's race.
The start-finish straight at Magny Cours.
Photo by xpb.cc.
"Following the various articles that have appeared recently on the French Formula 1 Grand Prix, the French Motor Sporting Federation (FFSA), the organiser and promoter of the event, would like to make it clear that its Committee, which met on 21st March 2007, has unanimously decided to suspend the inscription of the French Grand Prix on the 2008 calendar as all the conditions necessary for success were not met," it read.
It's not clear exactly what the bones of contention are but the Magny Cours circuit, which has hosted the GP for over 15 years, has a rural location and often attracts complaints of less than adequate access. Lack of accommodation and low attendance figures have also been quoted as problems. It's not the most glamorous of locations to attract ticket-buyers.
It's possible the French GP could move to a different circuit, although where is under debate. Paul Ricard originally hosted the event before Magny Cours took over in the early ninties, and reportedly Bernie Ecclestone wants a Paris Grand Prix. There has been talk of developing new tracks near Paris but nothing has been confirmed.
Ecclestone previously suggested that the British GP at Silverstone, which seems to be permanently under threat, and France should share a date on alternating years but Silverstone rejected the proposal. If France is not on the 2008 calendar it will be the first time it has been absent since the Fifties.
However, Magny Cours is not yet out of the picture. The FFSA is due to meet again in July and will "re-examine the situation". The statement concluded that this year's race was the focus at the moment. "The first priority is that the 2007 French Grand Prix should take place in the best possible conditions on 1st July 2007 on the Nevers Magny-Cours circuit, where a well-filled programme awaits the spectators."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Hamilton top in mixed conditions at Sepang
Next article Malaysian GP: Honda preview
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Bernie Ecclestone
Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone reportedly arrested for travelling with shotgun in Portugal
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone reportedly arrested for travelling with shotgun in Portugal
Bernie Ecclestone sends major F1 warning ahead of 2026: 'Danger is we lose the fans'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain Pre-Season 2
Bernie Ecclestone sends major F1 warning ahead of 2026: 'Danger is we lose the fans'
Bernie Ecclestone slams "over-confident" Lando Norris as he backs Max Verstappen for 2025 title
Formula 1
Formula 1
Abu Dhabi GP
Bernie Ecclestone slams "over-confident" Lando Norris as he backs Max Verstappen for 2025 title
Latest news
Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
5 h
Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
9 h
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 10 h
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
11 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Feature
Discover prime content
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe