Even though he has said that this year's Grand Prix at Magny-Cours is the last - just as he did in 2007 - Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that the French circuit looks likely to hold a round of the World Championship again in 2009, and possibly beyond.

"We've got a contract here for another couple of years," the F1 supremo told Reuters ahead of today's race. "Although the FFSA (French Racing Federation) who are the promoters agreed two years ago that 2008 would be the last race, now they are saying 2009 will be the last race but I'm sure its not."

Asked whether F1 will return to Magny-Cours next year, despite his previous claims that it would not, Ecclestone said: "I'm sure. Book here."

While the French track has never been that popular with the teams, mainly due to its inaccessibility and the culture shock following the trips to Monaco and Montreal, it has been known to pull a few surprises, not least the ability to return to the calendar year after year despite being killed off by Ecclestone.

While many complain of the fact that contemporary F1 features too many Mickey Mouse circuits, Ecclestone has made no secret of the fact that he would like to see cars racing through the streets of Paris, or, better still, Euro Disney.

"I think it (Disney) would be good," said the Englishman. "They've got hotels and the trains go there."

With circuit organizers planning a massive upgrade to the circuit's facilities, backed (financially) by the French government, and the FFSA holding a contract until 2011, Ecclestone admits that it might be some time F1 fully abandons Magny-Cours.

"We'll have to see," he said. "We have a contract so we are here. When that contract stops, we'll have to see what we can do."