Ecclestone ready to sign for a French Grand Prix in 2013

There were supposed to be 20 Grand Prix on the 2013 Formula 1 season calendar, but recently, the Grand Prix of the Americas has been postponed by another year, leaving a possible spot for another circuit next year.

And it is France that could inherit this void, indeed, Bernie Ecclestone, who is in charge of commercial rights and therefore negotiations with event promoters and circuit officials, hinted this weekend in India that he was in favor of replacing New Jersey with France. Asked whether France had a chance to be on the calendar in 2013, he stated: “As far as I’m concerned, yes. We are ready to sign. We have a pen, we are ready to sign a contract. If they are ready, then we can place them in the calendar.”

The New Jersey Grand Prix was supposed to take place on June 16, 2013, following the Canadian Grand Prix, but if France were to replace the North American event, the race could instead be held in September, in connection with the Belgian and Italian Grand Prix. Bernie Ecclestone’s goal would be to make a decision by the end of November to ensure the presence of 20 Grand Prix in 2013.

But the Briton admitted that even if he was open to a contract with France, the questions of location and financing remained unanswered: « What circuit they are going to use is one thing … and who is going to pay for it. That’s the question. »

The Paul Ricard Circuit is a candidate for this event, especially since the circuit’s manager, Stéphane Clair, recently stated that even without state support, the circuit located in the south of France could host the F1 in 2013.