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French GP Hopes Hit by 13,000-year-old Historic Site

France has taken another step back to secure the hosting of a Formula One grand prix next season (or anytime in the near future, we might add). According to a report made public by French newspaper Le Parisien, it seems a 13,000-year-old historic site has been discovered on the grounds of the proposed grand prix circuit, in the Flins-Les-Mureaux region.

Under the circumstances, it's hard to believe that French prime minister Francois Fillon will continue to push for the construction of a circuit in the aforementioned region. With archeologists rejoicing over maybe their greatest discovery in recent years, the Formula One project at Flins-Les-Mureaux is as good as over.

Three-time Formula One champion Alain Prost recently urged the French officials to find a solution to the political problems raised by the aforementioned site, as he characterized as “shameful” for his nation not to be able to secure a home GP given its incredible history inside the sport.

France missed out on hosting a Formula One race for the ongoing 2009 season for the first time in the last 54 years, as Magny-Course's deal with the FOM was no longer extended.

Since the news was made official midway through last year, Prost has tried endlessly to secure a new base for the French GP, including an alternative Disneyland Paris project. As he found no sign of support from the French politicians – except for Fillon, who failed to impose his will within the members of his government – it is expected that France will continue to miss out on the F1 calendar in 2010 also.

Given the current situation, only huge sums of money pumped into the existing Magny Cours venue for the update of its track, facilities and drivers' safety would get France into the Great Circle once again. Or, as unlikely as the first possibility, the set up of a breakaway series by the F1 manufacturers. Either way, the next season seems compromised for the French racing fans, who'll have to travel elsewhere – most likely to Belgium – to see their F1 favorites eye to eye.
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