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.
Georges Boillot winning the 1912 French Grand Prix in Dieppe, France
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
March 29 2007 it was announced by the FFSA, the race promoter, that the 2008 French Grand Prix was put on an indefinite "pause". This suspension was due to the financial situation of the circuit, known to be disliked by many in
F1 due to the circuit's remote location.
[1] On
May 31, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed (at the time) that the
2007 French Grand Prix would be the last to be held at Magny-Cours.
[2]
However, after various negotiations, the future of the race at Magny-Cours took another turn, with increased speculation that the 2008 French Grand Prix would return, with Ecclestone himself stating "We're going to maybe resurrect it for a year, or something like that".
[3] On
July 24, Ecclestone and the French Prime Minister met and agreed to possibly maintain the race at Magny Cours for 2008 and 2009.
[4] The change in fortune was completed on
July 27, when the FIA published the calendar with a 2008 French Grand Prix scheduled at Magny-Cours once again.
[5]
Sponsors
Rhône-Poulenc Grand Prix du France '1988-1993'
Mobil 1 Grand Prix du France '1998-2005'
Winners of the French Grands Prix
Repeat Winners
Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1951 race, but shared the Alfa Romeo 159-car with Luigi Fagioli.
By year
''A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.''
''A cream background indicates an event which was part of the pre-
war European Championship.''
References
1. ITV-F1.com 2008 French Grand Prix "Pause"
2. ITV-F1.com Ecclestone Confirms Magny Cours Departure
3. ITV-F1.com Magny-Cours set for reprieve
4. BBC SportFormula One hope for French Grand Prix
5. FIA reveals 18-race calendar for 2008
External links
★
French Grand Prix Results, Live Timing, Quiz & Discussion
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