Magny-Cours dropped for 2008?

29/03/2007

According to reports in the French media, Magny-Cours will not host a Grand Prix in 2008, leaving France without a round of the world Championship for the first time since 1955, year of the Le Mans tragedy.

L'Equipe claims that the 2008 race at Magny-Cours has been dropped by the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile (FFSA) due to "logistical problems", adding that the event cannot take place "in the current conditions".

With the imminent confirmation of a Grand Prix in Singapore - possibly as early as 2008 - this is a further blow to race fans in Europe, traditionally the sport's heartland, and in this particular case the very nation that gave us the term Grand Prix - despite the claims of Bernie Ecclestone's legal team.

There is speculation that France could return to the calendar in 2009, but it is not clear whether Magny-Cours would host the race, indeed, Ecclestone has said that he would like to see a race held on the streets of the French capital, Paris. But then he would wouldn't he?

Previously, Ecclestone had attempted to get France and Britain to 'share' a slot on the calendar, with the French apparently keen on the idea.