A new motorway which links Paris to the Magny-Cours circuit has been completed, prompting speculation that France might yet again host a round of the Formula One World Championship.

France last hosted a round of the world championship in 2008, and while there have been a number of proposals, not least a race at Euro Disney, all have come to nothing. Indeed, with the Renault team having been bought out, France no longer has a team, a race or even a driver in F1.

While never really popular with the teams, or many fans, due to the fact that it was "stuck in the middle of nowhere", the completion of the Nevers South-Magny-Cours/Moiry section of the motorway, upon which work began in 2008, and was opened to users yesterday (January 18), might hopefully mean the return of the country which gave us Grand Prix racing to the calendar.

The new section will be officially inaugurated by the premier of the Burgundy region, the head of the Nievre district and the President of the General Council of Nievre, as well as local personalities, on February 4.

As part of the event, Magny-Cours has organised a parade from the motorway to the circuit which will include an F1 car, classic machines from the Nevers ANAVA association and an electric car from the Exagon company.

This news is sure to delight the 400,000 plus visitors who attend the circuit each year, however, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck which might see F1 return to Magny-Cours, indeed, France.

Last November, French legend Alain Prost spoke of his frustration at the fact that his country no longer has a presence in F1, laying most of the blame on politicians.