Ecclestone Grants Magny-cours F1 Lifeline

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hinted that the French Grand Prix at
Magny-Cours may keep its place on the sport’s calendar despite previously having
declared a desire to move the race.

Ecclestone had been keen to move the race away from Magny-Cours in 2008 to a
venue closer to Paris but, following a meeting with French Prime Minister
Francois Fillon, it appears that the circuit has been granted a lifeline.

The outcome of the meeting appeared to commit the French Grand Prix to
Magny-Cours for at least the next two years.
‘The venue will be kept for 2009
if there are no solutions for an alternative,’ said Eccelstone.

French Grand Prix organisers have expressed their determination to keep hold
of the race until the contract with Eccelstone expires in 2011.

The French Federation (FFSA) said in a statement: ‘The FFSA Executive
Committee has decided to implement a search for sites with a view to durably
ensuring the future of the French Grand Prix.’