» ‘The race is on’ for Magny Cours

Officials from the Magny Course circuit – the last venue to host the French Grand Prix – have declared that “the race is on” to be considered as a suitable venue for the country’s return to the Formula 1 calendar.

At least this is the claim of local public television station France 3, following reports that the Paul Ricard circuit in the country’s south will play host to the race when it makes its return (alternating each year with the Belgian Grand Prix) from 2013 onwards.

Magny Cours, located in the country’s rural heartland near Never, played host to the Grand Prix from 1991 to 2008, before it was dropped when it lost most of its funding.

The circuit – set up at the behest of then-President Mitterand – was regularly criticised for its poor atmosphere and remote location, as well as being unsuitable for providing action-packed Grands Prix.

But it seems that development in the region – including a theme park – could raise enough money for the local area to help fund hosting the Grand Prix once again.

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