Sep.10 (GMM) A return to the formula one grid of French grand prix venue Magny Cours is on the cards for 2012, according to reports.

L'Equipe, and the French news agency AFP, said circuit boss Serge Saulnier sounded bullish on Thursday amid recent efforts to reinstate the race after it was dropped after 2008.

The FIA published the 2011 calendar this week, with France once again omitted.

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

Among F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone's criticisms of Magny Cours, located in rural central France, was the difficulty of the journey from Paris.

Saulnier said this problem is going to be solved.

"Yes. The A77 motorway from Paris to Magny Cours will be inaugurated in the coming weeks, and we are also going to launch covered stands at the Adelaide corner.

"Like every year we have received approval from the FIA for formula one, and this year we have enlarged the pitlane. It's been done.

"We are in the starting blocks to again organise a grand prix of France," he insisted.

"We will achieve our financial package before June 2011, we are the only circuit in France approved for F1 and we mustn't forget that motor sport allows for rapid develop of alternative energies," said Saulnier.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version