13/05/2008
NEWS STORY
Having received a 'stay of execution' this year, Bernie Ecclestone has warned that there will be no U-turns in 2009, and that 2008 is the last time that Magny Cours will host a round of the World Championship. Indeed, Ecclestone still has his sights set firmly on a race through the streets of Paris.
"We agreed that there would be a French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours in 2008 but not in 2009," Ecclestone told L'Equipe.
"Prime Minister Francois Fillon told me we would then see if we could have a Grand Prix in Paris or just outside," he added, "but that would not necessarily be for 2009, rather for 2010. In any case, 2008 will be the last time we continue like this.
"I would really love a French Grand Prix in the streets of Paris," he admitted.
Following the ousting of Ken Livingstone in London, it is thought that Ecclestone will attempt to woo new Mayor, Boris Johnson, the F1 supremo having made no secret of the fact that one of his life's ambitions is to see F1 cars racing through his home city. However, that would depend on London providing the right layout for a track, and the required funding.