2009 French GP cancelled

[BKgen®]

France's motor racing federation has pulled its backing of the French Grand Prix.

The Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile (FFSA) announced in a statement that the race, scheduled for June next year at Magny Cours, has been cancelled 'for reasons linked to the economic situation.'

The FFSA met this week with potential organisers of an alternative venue to Magny Cours, with Bernie Ecclestone openly favouring an event near the capital Paris.

The F1 Chief Executive is no fan of the remote Magny Cours circuit, which earlier this year committed to a substantial renovation package.

But FFSA President Nicolas Deschaux explained that a reprieve on the 2009 calendar, to also not feature Canada in its final form, is unlikely.

"If a promoter is not identified to succeed the FFSA, the France GP cannot figure in the FIA international calendar in 2009," he is quoted as saying by L'Equipe.

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So now we're down to 17 tracks for next season -- and 2008 isn't even over yet! What's next?

[Frög]

f.ucking french people!

[EJ25RUN]

I didn't post this earlier because it is hard to kill the French GP no matter how hard Bernie tries. I don't think it is final just yet. There was supposed to not be a 2008 and 2007 French GP as well .

[BKgen®]

I didn't post this earlier because it is hard to kill the French GP no matter how hard Bernie tries. I don't think it is final just yet.

Bingo. Bernie needs to chill out with all the fees to the race organizers. And if he keeps up with the economy the way it's going, i could see f1's schedule cut in half within a few years. not good.


i was wondering why you hadn't posted it up already.

[LordZed]

Any word on where the U.S. GP will return too? Ive only heard rumors that were getting it back...nothing solid

[EJ25RUN]

Any word on where the U.S. GP will return too? Ive only heard rumors that were getting it back...nothing solid

2010.

[LordZed]

Location rumors? Indy like always or are they going back to L.A. or perhaps somewhere else? I say Road Atlanta hehe

[BKgen®]

Location rumors? Indy like always or are they going back to L.A. or perhaps somewhere else? I say Road Atlanta hehe

hahaha, i would piss myself. doubt they'd come here though.

[EJ25RUN]

It is not hard to understand why Indy is the only race track in the U.S.A. that can hold a G.P.

1. It is safe enough
2. Can hold the speed of a modern F1 car (forgetting the final corner incidents)
3. The Pit Lane is up to F1 spec.
4. The site has a small hospital.

Road Atlanta would need to invest around 50 Million Dollars to get upto that level and after all that is done, it will lose most of the track. For instance, the extreme elevation changes over such a short distance will not be good for a modern F1 car and sections like the esses would have to be turned into a boring chicane type section unless the widen the hell out of that portion.

If it were to go back to LA, it would be a street course. Bernie seems to like these races for whatever reason. He wants the next French GP to be run around Paris streets.

Some of the quick things that come to mind for an F1 circuit.

1. Advanced pit complex. ALL F1 races have to be like this and all the professional circuits in Europe are like this. (THERE IS NO WALL TO JUMP OVER and the garage faces the track)

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/indianapolis_2005_pitlane_1024.jpg

Next is massive run off area that is either gravel or more tarmac.
http://i.pbase.com/u41/shnake/upload/33245333.PICT4909.JPG

[dazn]

bernie likes street races because it equates to more money in his pocket hahaha.

if f1 comes back to the US and its not at Indy, it will definitely be a street race. there is no other in the US that I know of that will even be close to F1 standard.
like ej25 said, for road atlanta to be even considered, the amount of money would be so stupid, that you might as well build a whole new track, your pretty much gonna do it anyways.

to be honest, i would love to see a F1 street course in the US. maybe long beach, or back to Watkins Glen but a new course(Ive been to the original F1 street course there and it is crazy that people races on these roads. it would be impossible to race modern F1 cars there). or preferably something bourdais has done, would love to see him get a podium at least befor he leaves F1. Vegas would be cool too.

[Elbow]

Barber lol.

Road America

Watkins Glen

or a street circuit.

Def. NEVER Road Atlanta, like all said the track would be TOTALLY different, and lose it's special flavor.