French Federation Call Government to Save GP

Next year's French Grand Prix may be cancelled because of a seven million euro ($8.3 million) financing "hole" and the government should step in to save the event, the French motorsport federation said.

After a federation meeting on Thursday, president Jacques Regis said the race would take place only at Magny-Cours. The Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet had offered to hold the race in July if Magny-Cours could not arrange financing.

Regis said the federation wanted 50 percent of the financing to come from the private sector and 50 percent from public funds. A final decision would be made on December 12 by the sport's world ruling body, the FIA, he said.

"We need seven million euros to guarantee the French Grand Prix in 2004," Regis told a news conference. "I think it is up to France (the government) to reply to our request.

"The Grand Prix is a tourist attraction and I could not understand it if (the government) did not come to our aid. If we don't manage to make ends meet, there will be no Grand Prix.

"But I am optimistic. If the promises of our private partners are backed up I believe we will save the Grand Prix."