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France not hopeful of 2011 grand prix
ESPNF1 Staff
March 10, 2010
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Nicolas Deschaux believes it could be some time before a grand prix returns to France © Getty Images
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France is unlikely to regain a grand prix in 2011 according to Nicolas Deschaux, president of the country's motor racing sanctioning body FFSA (Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile).
Following the demise of the Magny Cours event and then proposed alternative hosts, he blames French politics. "There is a time for sponsorships of the government," he told L'Equipe. "When I see [Russian prime minister Vladimir] Putin announcing the support of [Vitaly] Petrov with Lada, I see the gap is huge compared to what happens in France.
"The [French] government has a view on this subject that is distorted by electoral considerations under the heading of the environment."
Deschaux added Magny Cours, Paul Ricard, and the Sarcelles project are the three possible venues for a reinstated French grand prix.
"I am awaiting clarification of the financial feasibility of Sarcelles," he said, revealing he is in "very regular contact" with FIA president Jean Todt. "But I cannot predict the year of the next grand prix of France. It would be unrealistic to think it will be 2011."
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