FIA Drops French GP at Magny Cours From 2009 Calendar
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Oct 16, 2008
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The French Grand Prix has been scrapped because race promoter the FFSA - French motorsport’s domestic governing body - does not believe it is possible to run the event profitably.
The race has lost money for several years and the FFSA does not want to commit to a potential financial risk in the present economic climate.
“For economic reasons, the FFSA (French Motorsport Federation) has decided to cancel the (2009) French Grand Prix,” said a statement.
“The FFSA would like to thank all those clients who attended the French Grand Prix and have supported the event in the last few years,” the statement added.
It said all those who had already booked tickets would be reimbursed and apologised to all for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation
The FFSA had said in earlier statement that, due to the economic situation, it was no longer prepared to promote financially the race at Magny-Cours.
“As a result, and as long as a promoter capable of succeeding the FFSA has not been identified, the French Grand Prix will not be able to feature on the FIA international calendar in 2009,” it added.
It becomes the second event to fall off of next year’s calendar, joining the Canadian Grand Prix which was removed for “commercial” reasons. France’s disappearance could pave the way for a return of the Canadian race in 2009 should the funding issues between the promoter and F1 officials get resolved. The French race was scheduled to be held on June 28, which was only a few weeks after the original Canadian date.
This will mark only the second time since 1950 that the French Grand Prix will not be on the F1 schedule. However, in recnet years F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has threatened to leave the race off the calender if it continued to be held at Magny-Cours. Ecclestone has favoured a race run through the streets of Paris in the shadown of the Eifel Tower.
