Formula One: Bernie Ecclestone confirms French Grand Prix is back

The news was confirmed to French sports magazine L’Equipe by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone

“The deal is done,” he said. “We agreed the financial terms with the sports minister, David Douillet, in my office on Tuesday. We are still discussing a few things about money: ‘You give me this, I want that.’ But, for me, there is no doubt, we will sign it now.”

Ecclestone added that the outcome of the forthcoming presidential elections in France will not spoil the deal.

“Whatever the outcome, I don’t care,” said Ecclestone. “That’s a local issue that doesn’t concern me.”

The Ecclestone-owned Paul Ricard circuit near Marseille is expected to share an annually-alternating grand prix date with Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps, beginning in 2013.

The venue for the French race from 1991 to 2008, when Ferrari’s Felipe Massa won the last staging of the event, was the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in central France, 250 miles from Paris.

The move to Magny-Cours was an attempt to stimulate the economy of the area, but many within Formula 1 complained about the remote nature of the circuit.

The French Grand Prix itself was first run on 26 June, 1906 under the auspices of the Automobile Club de France in Sarthe, with a starting field of 32.

The race was part of the first world championship in 1925 along with the Italian Grand Prix, the Belgian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.

It was also part of the Formula 1 championship from its inception in 1950 until 2008.

Down the years, the race has been a happy hunting ground for Scots drivers with Jim Clark the first to taste success in 1963 at Reims and again in 1965, when the race was staged at Charade, near Clermont-Ferrand.

During his glory years, Sir Jackie Stewart won the race three times, in 1969 at Charade, 1970 on the full circuit at Paul Ricard and back at Charade again in 1972.

David Coulthard managed one win, in 2000, during the Magny-Cours years.

Overall, German Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver in the history of the race with eight wins from 1994 to 2006.

French hero Alain Prost has the second-most wins with six from 1981 to 1993.

The demise of the race came about after financial doubts first surfaced in 2004 and due to the addition of new circuits to the Formula 1 calendar.

On 29 March, 2007 it was announced by the FFSA, the race promoter, that the 2008 French Grand Prix was put on an indefinite “pause” due to the financial situation of the circuit.

That particular race was resurrected, after various negotiations, including between Ecclestone and the French prime minister.

The 2009 race, however, was again cancelled with the FFSA official website citing “economic reasons”.

A huge makeover of Magny-Cours was subsequently planned, but eventually cancelled.