French Federation Committed to Supporting Young Drivers

France's motorsports governing body says it is committed to supporting young French drivers on their way to Formula One racing.

Following the announcement that Olivier Panis will retire from racing at the end of the season, France risks being without a Formula One driver on the grid for the first time since 1965.

38-year old Panis will be leaving his racing seat at Toyota and there are few French candidates who have a chance of racing an F1 car next year.

However the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile, who has been working since 1988 to help train and promote young drivers, says it's doing everything it can to secure there will be French Formula One drivers in the future.

"One of the greatest priorities for the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile is to help the best young French drivers reach the top," said FFSA President Jacques Regis today.

"Our efforts are now starting to pay off in rallying and although it is more difficult the achieve the same in Formula One because of the finance involved, the FFSA is doing everything it can to achieve success in both disciplines in the future."

Apart from Panis, France is represented in Formula One by Renault's test driver Franck Montagny, who has been linked with a racing seat at Minardi for next season.