French GP on the table instead of New Jersey

[LHamilton]

Next season's Formula 1 calendar could increase to 20 races once again, according to Bernie Ecclestone.

At an event to mark Ecclestone's 82nd birthday in the paddock at the Indian Grand Prix on Sunday morning, he expressed the hope that the French Grand Prix could return after an absence of five seasons.

"As far as I'm concerned, yes," replied Ecclestone, when asked whether the race could replace the New Jersey Grand Prix, which has been postponed for a year because of construction delays.

"We're ready to sign. We've got a pen and we're ready to sign."

Ecclestone admitted, however, that there was still uncertainty surrounding the venue.

Magny-Cours, which hosted the race between 1991 and 2008, is in the running alongside the Paul Ricard circuit, where it was previously run.

The latter track, which is owned by Ecclestone, had been scheduled to go on the 2013 calendar after a deal was agreed with the government of Nicolas Sarkozy earlier this year.

However, it was scuppered when Sarkozy lost the country's Presidential election to socialist candidate Francois Hollande in May.

Source

Whats your take on this. 2 tracks is being considered. Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard circuit. Which would you rather have and why? I havent seen a GP with neither, so I cant really say which I prefer, but Magny-Cours looks good, another "power-track".

[zztopless]

If this happens, which track would you prefer?

Personally I'd like to see Paul Ricard. Which configuration they would use would be interesting:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=43.25055 ... 4&t=h&z=16

Thoughts?

[Nando]

Magny 100%

Paul Richard is emphasizing just what i hate about modern racetracks.

[ESPImperium]

Magny 100%

Paul Richard is emphasizing just what i hate about modern racetracks.

My view as well.

There are too many 5.2Km plus tracks on the calendar, there needs to be more 5km or Less tracks.

Also the first lap is usually carnage at Magney.

[Morteza]

I would love to see Magny-Cours back in F1 Paul Ricard just doesn't do it for me.

[WhiteBlue]

Magny Cours is ok as a race track but it has the same problem as Yeongam. There is no infra structure for F1 visitors. The Koreans put the visitors up in knocking shops of which they apparently have plenty around the track. The French do not seem to have a ready solution for the same problem.

[ESPImperium]

That problem has been solved to a point since 2008, the track has 1000 new rooms around it since then and it also has a train station and a motor-way that cuts down the travel time from it to the nearest large city in St Etienne, witch is about 175Km away, but is still too far for some.

Personally id rather go the the European Yeongam than a track that feels bland and neutered like Paul Ricard.

The only alternative i think is Imola on a cost effective and travel effective point of view. Istanbul would toss the calendar out of the window. However what about going to the A1 Ring? May not be as cost effective or travel effective, but would be nice to see F1 back there for a one off race!

[piast9]

Wouldn't it be interesting to see how modern F1 would cope with the 1.8 km Mistral Straight on the Paul Ricard? I wonder if safety guys would allow this or they would force the use of the chicane in the middle.

[NowyszRacing6]

Id like to see magny cours back, its a nice track and there aren't infinite places to run wide and have to worry about the "4 wheels off" rule.

[Pierce89]

In sims, Magny cours is much more fun than Paul Ricard.

[Trailer23]

I would love to see Magny-Cours back in F1 Paul Ricard just doesn't do it for me.

I second that thought.

I think the first F1 Race I ever watched was Magny-Cours in '97.

[Nando]

I think Paul Richard might pass(for me) if they can make it semi-wet throughout the whole weekend.
Could be interesting to see an event like that.

[lebesset]

don't know how far construction in NJ got ....but it probably isn't there any more however far it was

[FW17]

In recent years the Ring has paid only $13 million per race, but the money has been spread over two years thanks to the alternation of the German GP with Hockenheim, which means that the Nürburging only had to find $6.5 million a year.

Moves to save the German GP
December 3, 2012 by Joe Saward

How come a $13 million deal is not offered to the French GP?
BE has no limits!
Are the French not as important as the Germans?

[Harvey]

In recent years the Ring has paid only $13 million per race, but the money has been spread over two years thanks to the alternation of the German GP with Hockenheim, which means that the Nürburging only had to find $6.5 million a year.

Moves to save the German GP
December 3, 2012 by Joe Saward

How come a $13 million deal is not offered to the French GP?
BE has no limits!
Are the French not as important as the Germans?

Did I make this up, or isn't French taxation laws something to do with why they haven't gone back? Something like the drivers had to pay income tax based on how many races there where in a season (ie, this year they would be paying it on 1/20th of their salaries, as that's how much of their work could be said to have been done in France.)