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French GP Cancelled

J

.::John::.

Starting XI
:(

[link]

The French Grand Prix, scheduled to take place here on July 11, 2004, has been cancelled because of financial problems, Marcel Charmant, the president of the Nievre regional authority, told Saturday's edition of the Journal du Centre newspaper.

"The financial situation of the investment company means that it is not possible to give (F1 supremo) 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 circuit in central France. Meanwhile, reports in Britain suggested that the circuit authorities here still owed 10 million dollars in unpaid fees owed to the companies of Ecclestone.

The London-based F1 Racing magazine reported that if the money wasn't paid before the World Motorsports Council meeting on December 12 the race could be scratched from the schedule. The race was included on the 2004 calendar when the World Council last met in October, but was only listed as provisional.

The July 11 date was published "subject to conclusion of a contract." The Magny-Cours circuit has been home to the French Grand Prix since 1991, but there have been persistent rumours that it could return to Paul Ricard. Ricard is currently used as a test facility only.
 
M

Mishkin

Senior Squad
Damn that's bad. :( Magny Cours is one of my favourite circuits. Well at least we still have 2 new circuits for next season. Should add a little more excitement. :D
 
Á

Áļéאָ

Fan Favourite
I tried playing this track (GPL) and it was sooo hard. Btw... any news? I've heard that they gave'em 2 weeks to find the money they need to keep the french gp...
 
R

rpvankasteren

Fan Favourite
Before the next FIA World Council meeting, december 12th, the organizers of the French GP have to pay off its debts to Ecclestone's company ($10 million), and proof of funding for next years GP. The organizers said there was not much hope of that happening. But then again, that's exactly what the organizers of the Canadian GP said.
 
R

rpvankasteren

Fan Favourite
link

'The circuit of Paul Ricard in the south of France has offered to host the 2004 French Grand Prix after officials at Magny Cours said they would be unable to finance an event next year. The French Motorsport Association has been in talks to save the event and run it instead at Paul Ricard, which incidentally is owned by Bernie Ecclestone.
"If Mr Ecclestone wants to run the event here, we will be able to do it," a spokeswoman for the circuit told Reuters. "As long as there is no official meeting we cannot say any more, but if we must then we will run it."
Paul Ricard hosted the French Grand Prix until 1991 but since then has undergone a major revamp and is now rated as the best and most versatile testing facility for F1. Toyota currently treat it as their 'home' circuit.
While the circuit does not have capacity for the 100,000 or so that would be needed in a Grand Prix event, officials are confident arrangements could be made.'

I doubt Bernie wants to add Paul Ricard to next year's schedule, in stead of Magny-Cours, as team owners were already protesting against having to compete in 17 GPs, let alone 18. The French situation may be just what he wants, as it brings the schedule back to 17...
 
R

rpvankasteren

Fan Favourite
link

'The President of the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA), Jacques Régis, is trying to save the French Grand Prix.

The event is one of the oldest race on the F1 calendar, dating back to 1950. The FFSA is trying to find 7 million Euro to keep to 2004 French Grand Prix on the calendar. Negotiations are under way with local communities and private businesses, said Jacques Régis in a press conference.

The FFSA could become the promoter of the event if an agreement can be reached with Bernie Ecclestone's FOM.

The FFSA wants "to see a Formula One Grand Prix in France," indicated Régis. The President of the FFSA also confirmed that the Mangy-Cours circuit was the only circuit that could host the French Grand Prix in 2004.

The final decision on the fate of the French GP will be taken on 12 December in the next FIA World Council meeting.'


Alex:
There's been some thought about recreating the F2, as the prime feeder league to F1. The competition would be spread into two or three same-level, regional leagues, which would compete in a number of races on different tracks in their region.

F1 would compete in 16 races, of which 5 to 8 would be constant, and the others would be decided on the attractiveness of the F2 race the season before. The F2 tracks wouldn't all have to be conformant with F1 regulations, as the cars are not quite as powerfull. Of course, to be considered for F1 races, the F2 tracks would have to be conformant.

Biggest draw-back is of course the current economical climate.
 
H

Hugo-45-Viana

Red Card [I'm A Douche]
Life Ban
God I hope this makes way for Portugal in 2005...:(

Don't know which track they'd use since there's one being built in Southern Portugal. Shame Estoril ain't nothing like it used to be.
 
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