» Magny Cours set to return to F1 calendar?

Reports are again emerging that the former French Grand Prix venue Magny Cours could be making a comeback to the Formula 1 calendar in 2012.

French news agencies L’Equipe and AFP are quoting circuit boss Serge Saulnier was confident that the circuit could return to the calendar, having been dumped after its 2008 race.

The provisional 2011 F1 calendar was published just days ago, with a Grand Prix in France again an omission from the calendar.

“We stopped in 2008 because the financial cap could not be filled by the counseil general de la Nievre, or the regional Burgundy council,” Saulnier explained.

Another reason the circuit was cut from the calendar, according to sources, was the difficulty accessing the circuit from Paris.

Located in the rural Nevers region, Saulnier confirmed that a motorway was due to be opened between Paris and Nevers. Circuit facilities would also be improved, with Saulnier confirming that covered grandstands were being built at the Adelaide Hairpin and that the pit lane had also been enlarged.

“We are in the starting blocks to again organise a grand prix of France,” Saulnier added. “We will achieve our financial package before June 2011, we are the only circuit in France approved for F1.”

The Magny Cours circuit has often been criticised for providing rather dull races.

[Original image via The Cahier Archive]