Is it the last lap for Magny-Cours?

In an interview with 'Hebdo Car' magazine Bernie Egglestone, President and Chief Executive of Formula 1, called into question the ability of the Nevers-Magny-Cours racetrack; to provide acceptable facilities for the French Formula 1 Grand Prix.

He severely criticised the infrastructure of Nevers-Magny-Cours, saying it was growing old, its road network causes unnecessary congestion and there are too few hotels in the vicinity.

The Président de la conseil régional de Bourgogne, François Patriat, received the news of Mr Ecclestone’s criticisms with a heavy heart.

The loss of the Formula 1 Grand Prix would have strong economic repercussions, especially in the realms of employment in the area. It is obvious that improvements cannot be carried out overnight, many factors have to be taken into consideration within the environment, access and the pressure of the International Federation of Automobile Sports.

Bernie Ecclestone seems to be looking at the situation from a financial point of view and he is pushing for the Formula 1 to be moved to either Versailles or La Valle de Marne.

The conseil général de Nièvre, le conseil régional de Bourgogne, the FFSA and Gerard Dumas, the owner of the Nevers-Magny-Cours course point out that there is a contract for Foruma 1 to be run at the track until 2011.

However, the latest news that has been released is that the 2008 Formula 1 will not be held in Burgundy