Bernie to axe Magny-Cours

UPDATE Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone said he would like to introduce a grand prix on the streets of Paris to replace the French grand prix at Magny-Cours. He told French newspaper L'Equipe that 2008 would be the last year Magny-Cours would host a grand prix, but said he was hopeful of finding a new venue for the event, which he would ideally like to stage on the streets of Paris.

"We agreed that there would be a French grand prix at Magny-Cours in 2008 but not in 2009," said Ecclestone. "[French] prime minister Francois Fillon told me we would then see if we could have a grand prix in Paris or just outside but that would not necessarily be for 2009, rather for 2010. In any case, 2008 will be the last time we continue like this."

Magny-Cours suffers from poor access and insufficient accommodation, which have led to weak attendances.

05/12/08 (GMM) France could be absent from the formula one calendar in 2009, despite Bernie Ecclestone's strong desire to move the race to the streets of the capital Paris.

The F1 chief executive said in an interview on Monday with the national sports newspaper L'Equipe that this year will be the last visit to the unpopular Magny Cours venue.

Ecclestone, 77, said he has been told by French prime minister Francois Fillon that he will look into the possibility of a Paris race.

"But that would not necessarily be for 2009, rather for 2010," the Briton explained. "In any case, 2008 will be the last time we continue like this."

2009 could therefore be the first time since 1955 that France does not host a grand prix.

Magny Cours, located near the central rural region of Nevers, is one of the least popular destinations on the calendar, due to its isolated location and lack of accommodation.

Referring to Nevers in 2005, Red Bull Racing declared in a pre-race preview: "If you pronounce it the English way, it perfectly describes how many times people want to come back."