[SR]

Quote

French GP 'scrapped'

The French Grand Prix has been cancelled due to financial problems, according to a report.

The Formula One race had been due to take place at Magny-Cours on 11 July, 2004.

Marcel Charmant, the president of the Nievre regional authority, told the Journal du Centre newspaper that the schedule would have to change.

"It is not possible to give Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone the guarantees he requires for the finance of the race in 2004," said Charmant.

The regional authority of Nievre is the majority shareholder in the company which owns the Magny-Cours circuit.

Ralf Schumacher won this year's race at the track in central France.

Elsewhere, a report in a British motorsport magazine has suggested that circuit authorities still owed $10m ($6m) in unpaid fees owed to the companies of Ecclestone.

F1 Racing reported that if the money was not paid before the World Motorsports Council meeting on 12 December the race could be cancelled.

The race was included on the 2004 calendar when the World Council last met in October, but was only listed as provisional.

Magny-Cours has hosted the French Grand Prix since 1991.

But if it loses its 2004 date, organisers of the British GP could push for their race to be moved back to 11 July.

The Silverstone event is scheduled for 4 July, but officials are keen to avoid a clash with the Wimbledon men's singles final and the Euro 2004 final if at all possible.

http://www.bbc.co.uk

This is just getting ridiculous....

Canada, Brazil, Austria, Belguim, now France....

[SALEEN S7R]

Yeah its a sad state. But im hearing conflicting things. http://www.autosport...sp?id=25351&s=5 So the race isnt canned just yet. I doubt very much that Magny cours hasnt got the money to pay up the £10 million that is owed. They have lots of big events like FIA GT which get about 55,000 people, as well as the F1 and WSBK etc so they should get enough money. At least thats what Im hoping for, whatever they need to get on with things and pay Bernie.

[Speedworx]

Its not cancelled YET.

Its facing the axe.

Last I heard, they are looking at Paul Ricard in 2004 or Le Mans in 2005.

[ChrisAllen]

BBC Sport Online said:

French Grand Prix organisers have confirmed that the 2004 race will not take place at Magny-Cours.

It had been scheduled for 11 July at the central France venue, but will now make way, prompting suggestions that the British Grand Prix may be pushed back one week from 4 July.

But French officials said on Saturday that they had signed a fresh five-year deal with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to restore the event to Magny-Cours from 2005.

"We're having a break in 2004, in agreement with Ecclestone, and we have signed a contract from 2005 to 2009, with the possibility of adding another five years," said circuit boss Roland Hodel.

"In 2004 everyone who loves motor sport has to launch into action to bring in all the partnerships which are necessary for us to have Formula One back again."

http://news.bbc.co.u...one/3228254.stm

[Asp]

It'll sadly not go back to Paul Ricard any time soon. AS you well know that it now predominantly the PTT, and spectator facilities are, well, none existent.
Not that it'd be a problem, as the few spectators who could be bothered driving over the mountain ranges would change their mind and head for the near-by sea if it was a Hot Day! :P
The Bugatti circuit at Le Mans, however...

[SALEEN S7R]

The Bugatti circuit at Le Mans would be terrible if u ask me. The Bugatti track is tight and twisty and fairly narrow with no real overtaking opporutines. Euro Boss has raced there this year, as has European F3, but F3 cars as we know are a lot smaller than a F1 car, if however F1 was to race on the full Le Mans track however that would make for a GREAT race, only problem is half of it is public roads so probably wont happen. Paul Ricard is a likely venue, with a bit of cash spent on the spectator facilties.

[SALEEN S7R]

Source:Crash.net

Having failed to conclude negotiations to keep the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours on next year's Formula One calendar, Bernie Ecclestone could switch the event to Paul Ricard - a track he owns through the company Excelis, but which has yet to stage a major international meeting since being comprehensively overhauled.

The decision could now come down to whether Ecclestone wants to keep France as part of the enlarged 18-race schedule, but a spokeswoman for Paul Ricard has told Reuters news agency that the circuit would be prepared to step into the breach.


"If Mr Ecclestone wants it here, we will be able to do it here," she confirmed, "As long as there is no official meeting, we cannot say any more but, if we must, then we will run it."

A formal announcement regarding a possible switch of venue for 2004 - Magny-Cours has inked a deal to return in 2005 - was apparently scheduled for earlier this week, but has since been delayed.

The principal problem with relocating the event to Paul Ricard, which previously staged the race before falling into decline, is the fact that the circuit, which has since been reborn as a 'high-tech test track' and acts as 'home' to the Toyota F1 team, has no spectator facilities - although the circuit does not expect this to pose a threat to its chances.

"If it was proposed for tomorrow, we do not have the infrastructure to host the race," the spokeswoman confirmed, "But [circuit director] Phillipe Gurdjian has organised grands prix in difficult circumstances before and this would simply be another challenge."

Magny-Cours was dropped from the 2004 calendar because it could not afford to run the race, but has since agreed a new five-year contract to stage the grand prix between 2005-09.

ENDS:/

So as I was hoping it appears the French GP may still go ahead - at Paul Ricard, lets hope so. :D

This post has been edited by SALEEN S7R: 27 November 2003 - 01:31 PM

[SALEEN S7R]

And the French Grand Prix is now back on the 2004 calender, although only provisionally, subject to unanimous agreement of all the teams involved. http://www.crash.net...cid=1&nid=82628 Still all the same its good news! Would have been very stupid of the FIA to cancel the event if u ask me. :)

This post has been edited by SALEEN S7R: 12 December 2003 - 06:27 PM

[f1atic]

Well, how can Bernie add China, Russia, Bahrain and who knows who else without deleting a few of the existing circuits. I think there is a lot to this that does not meet the eye.

All of the new tracks will be built (no doubt) with passing opportunities built in. Bahrain looks like a case where there will be 3 good chances. The old venues are on the verge of death because they are not providing the 'show' of the newer tracks.

I also see the moves coming as making F1 more global and thus provide increase revenues to you know who.

[BM]

Everything that goes on in F1 nowadays is about Money! I'm sick of all the politics etc..... :angry: