The French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours on the right track?
Asked about the possible return of the French Grand Prix, Serge Saulnier, the chairman of the board of the Magny-Cours circuit, stated that the possibility was very real.
A few weeks ago, Bernie Ecclestone stated that the Magny-Cours Circuit was in the running to host a future French Formula 1 Grand Prix. This statement reignited questions about the project and the possibility of the top-tier racing category returning to France, which Serge Saulnier, the chairman of the management board of the Nivernais track, confirms to our colleagues from the newspaper Le Berry.
Evoked by the president of Formula One Management (FOM), the organization of a Grand Prix on the Nièvre circuit would only encounter financial issues: The only unresolved figure is indeed the amount of the fee we would have to pay to the FOM. We have been negotiating for two and a half years now. Today, we are starting to reach a reasonable level, explains S. Saulnier, who mentions a range situated between 15 and 20 million euros.
On the other hand, while Bernie Ecclestone may have mentioned the possibility of a Grand Prix as early as /f1/actualite/17039-ecclestone-revient-sur-les-grands-prix-du-mexique-du-new-jersey-et-de-france.html, without clearly affirming it, the circuit president rejects this hypothesis: « Indeed, he hinted at /f1/actualite/17039-ecclestone-revient-sur-les-grands-prix-du-mexique-du-new-jersey-et-de-france.html because he is worried about the hosting of one or two Grand Prix events. However, the situation is that the circuit is undergoing extensive renovations, making it completely out of the question to organize a GP this year. The work will be finished at the beginning of 2015. If we organize a GP, we want to do it under the best conditions. »
2015 indeed seems like a more plausible date, even though the calendar will already be quite full, which the potential arrival of a Grand Prix in New York might not help. But practically, how would such an event be organized? « The promotional part would be handled by the GIP, while the mixed economy company managing the circuit would be the organizer. »
The Public Interest Group is a legal entity of public law established to enable the meeting of public and private partners for a project of general interest. In the case of Magny-Cours, the GIP was created in the summer of 2013 and brings together several local authorities such as the Regional Council of Burgundy, the General Councils of Nièvre, Cher, and Allier, as well as, of course, the conurbation and the city of Nevers, and the French Motor Sport Federation. It allows for the pooling of funds with a view to the return of F1.
Serge Saulnier continues: « Today, amounts have been voted by the local authorities for the GIP, but guarantees are still needed to cover all eventualities between the low and high attendance projections. This will involve either a major partner or a state guarantee. »
When it is pointed out to him that the State has already refused to provide its guarantee, the circuit director is more optimistic: « I think the tour of ministries conducted by the General Council in February has made a difference. We have raised awareness among the relevant ministries. Not just the Ministry of Sports, but also those of Industry, Economy, or Territorial Development. The Grand Prix can help accelerate upcoming major projects such as the high-speed train line or the four-lane expansion of the [Route Centre-Europe Atlantique], which would bring closer the clientele from Switzerland, Rhône-Alpes, and Franche-Comté, already significant for us. The State can also help us find private partners. »
To be continued, then.
