Paris to Host the 2011 French Grand Prix?

Bernie Ecclestone's dream of bringing a Formula 1 race to Paris is to become true soon enough. According to a media report issued by French sports newspaper L'Equipe, the French Senate has approved a bill amendment concerning the immediate construction of a race track about 40 km outside of Paris. The circuit is expected to host races as early as 2011, possibly even in F1.

The petition to building a new circuit was allegedly initiated by 4 race-enthusiast senators, who wanted France to be part of the F1 schedule once again. Following the French government refusing to pump money into the restoration of the old Magny-Cours circuit, France was left without a race for the upcoming 2 Formula 1 seasons.

However, thanks to the latest vote given by the members of the French Senate, work is to start immediately on the new track, located in Flins-sur-Seine, in the department of Yvelines. Soon after giving the go ahead for the construction of the new track, the French senators expressed their belief that Formula 1 will return to France as soon as 2011.

“If the construction and organization is conducted in a timely manner, it is possible that a grand prix can be held in France from 2011,” they were quoted by the aforementioned source.

This is the first real project sustained by the French authorities in order to bring back Formula One on their home land. Soon after Magny-Cours lost its place in the F1 calendar – losing financial backing from the French government – rumors suggested that Disneyland Paris could become the new location of the French Grand Prix. However, no one officially confirmed the talks.

While benefitting from a support committee from the French politicians – “Yvelines F1 - La vallee de l'automobile” – the project still needs financial support from a major sponsor. Also, Ecclestone is yet to officially approve such a project, although it is hard to believe he will have anything against it.