Formula One French Grand Prix - Magny Cours

The French Grand Prix (Grand Prix de France) is a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships. Grand Prix motor racing originated in France and the French Grand... [more]

The French Grand Prix (Grand Prix de France) is a race held as part of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One automobile racing championships.

Grand Prix motor racing originated in France and the French Grand Prix, open to international competition, is the oldest Grand Prix races, first run on June 26, 1906 under the auspices of the Automobile Club de France in Sarthe, with a starting field of 32 automobiles.

The first World Championships were organized in 1925 with the French Grand Prix, the Italian Grand Prix, the Belgian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. The French Grand Prix has been part of the Formula One championships since their inception in 1950. The race has been held at various racetracks throughout France, such as the Autodrome de Montlhéry. Since 1991 it has had its permanent home at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The move to Magny-Cours was an attempt to stimulate the economy of the area, but many within Formula One complain about the remote nature of the circuit.

The 2004 and 2005 races were in doubt because of financial problems and the addition of new circuits to the Formula One calendar. These races went ahead as planned, but it still has an uncertain future.

On 29th March it was announced by the FFSA, the race promoter, that the 2008 French Grand Prix was put on an indefinate "pause". This suspension was due to the financial situation of the circuit, known to be disliked by many in F1 due to the circuits remote location.

Further, on 31 May, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that the 2007 French Grand Prix will be the last to be held at Magny-Cours. -- source www.wikipedia.org