Magny-Cours chiefs hope young driver test will boost French Grand Prix chances

As AUTOSPORT revealed earlier, the circuit is to play host to the second of this year's young driver tests with Ferrari, Mercedes and Force India all due to run in the week after the Italian GP in September.

And on the back of extensive upgrades that have been made to the track since it last hosted an F1 race in 2008, circuit bosses believe that having grand prix machinery running at the venue is important.

Serge Saulnier, Chairman of the Magny-Cours board, said: "I am thrilled to be able to confirm that Formula 1 cars will return to Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours next month.

"We have worked tirelessly to upgrade the venue, which has just been homologated to F1 standards for another four years, and I am certain that the teams and drivers will appreciate the work that has been put in.

"What's more, this is an extremely positive step forward as we seek to return Formula 1 racing to our circuit.

"With Magny-Cours a candidate to host future French Grands Prix, it will be fantastic to showcase the track and our staff's know-how to the high-calibre F1 personnel who will be on-site."