No rush to decide '09 French GP venue

French Grand Prix organisers have said no decision will be taken on the venue of next year's race until after this season's event has taken place at Magny-Cours

Jonathan Noble Mar 6, 2008, 4:08 PM

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has indicated that he wants to see a race in Paris in the near future, with Magny-Cours due to hold its last grand prix in July.

But Nicolas Deschaux, the head of the French motorsport federation, the FFSA, said that he would not consider what the options were until later this year.

"Much has been written about the French Grand Prix for 2009," Deschaux was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. "It is nothing new that Mr Ecclestone is calling for an approach on Paris but as things stand there is nothing finalised regarding next year.

Ecclestone has made it clear that he wants to see the French Grand Prix take place at a new venue.

"Once the 2008 race is out of the way we will see about the future," he said. "[We] need a site for the French Grand Prix as we won't go back to Magny-Cours."