Currently reading: French Grand Prix axed
French GP scrapped due to economic pressures

The French Grand Prix, the world’s oldest surviving motor race, has been scrapped for 2009 as a result of mounting economic problems.

The FFSA, France’s motorsport governing body, took the decision to cancel next year’s race – which had been granted a provisional place on the Formula One calendar – in the wake of falling revenues and rising contractual costs. There are still hopes that a new venue and promoter can be found in time for 2010, with a number of projects, including Magny-Cours and a track close to Disneyland Europe, bidding for the rights to the event.

The French Grand Prix was first held in 1906, but its most recent home of Magny-Cours has never won the affection of either F1 teams or race fans. Team officials will hope that the French race’s absence from the calendar will allow a respite for Canada; its removal from the 2009 schedule left F1 with no race in the key North American market.

John McIlroy

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kerrecoe 21 October 2008

Re: French Grand Prix axed

Who cares anymore anyway? The whole thing is a joke of the most astonishing proportions. We should dump F1 before it dumps us. Someone needs to establish a viable alternative so that we can stuff Bernie back up his own backside where he clearly belongs.

TegTypeR 17 October 2008

Re: French Grand Prix axed

Let's just hope they can get Donnington right, or we'll be next for the chop.......

Paul J 17 October 2008

Re: French Grand Prix axed

david RS wrote:
Let us stop the French, British, German, Italian, Belgian, Canadian GP. Welcome to the night GPs of the East!

I think you're onto something here David. They could also select some (un)representative far eastern language and use their words for 'Great Prize'. Maybe hold the races inside giant nightclubs with side attractions - an Elvis tribute here, a roulette wheel there, pole dancers to mark pole position, etc.

Seriously, maybe the French venue wasn't the best, but don't abandon it, improve it. Is there no way the mega wealthy new venue owners could pair up with and aid/sponsor a traditional venue. Imagine how much goodwill that would engender for the individual or organisation. Maybe some of the historic venues could try for world heritage status or become charities for wealthy enthusiasts to support. Tax relief could come into play!

Anyway, in closing I'd just like to say that I've crapped more interesting things than Bernie.