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The French motor sport federation (FFSA) have announced today that they will not be holding a French Grand Prix in 2009. Although the race has come under almost continuous scrutiny for the last few years, Bernie Ecclestone had announced earlier this year that the current contract Magny Cours has will be honoured. However, citing economic issues, the FFSA have pulled the plug early and consider their options for the future. Continue Reading

Felipe Massa has won the French Grand Prix after team mate Kimi Raikkonen nursed his Ferrari home with a damaged right exhaust. The problem with Kimi’s car almost certainly cost him the race victory but the Finn did well to bring the car home in second. Jarno Trulli took a pleasing podium for third, honouring Ove Andersson who passed away last week in a rallying accident. Heikki Kovalainen poushed Trulli right to the chequered flag, but couldn’t pass the Italian. Continue Reading

The French Grand Prix grid is looking a little confusing right now, so I thought I’d attempt to clarify a few things as best I can. In Canada both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton received ten grid slot penalties for their incidents in the pit lane. The penalty was a ten grid-slot demotion each, which means that Hamilton who qualified in third will actually start in thirteenth. Rosberg, who got the same penalty for doing pretty much the same thing in Montreal, qualified fifteenth so he goes to the back of the grid. Heikki Kovalainen received a five grid-slot penalty for impeding Mark Webber during qualifying, so he goes from sixth, to fifth (penalties are applied in order of achievement) and finally to tenth. Continue Reading

Kimi Raikkonen has taken the pole position for what could be the final French Grand Prix at Magny Cours tomorrow. The Finnish driver didn’t go fastest in the first two sessions, but was always right behind his team mate, Felipe Massa, who went on to qualify alonside Raikkonen on the front row. Lewis Hamilton went P3 but will be demoted ten places following his penalty from the Canadian Grand Prix. Continue Reading

Kimi Raikkonen has lead the Ferraris to lock out the front row for the grid for tomorrow’s French Grand Prix. The Ferraris have done well around Magny Cours in the last few years, and this result for the team only adds to the complications faced by McLaren, who are dealing with a ten-place grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton. Combined with a lack of pace from Heikki Kovalainen and the Woking-squad aren’t looking too hot at the moment. Continue Reading

Bruno Senna, nephew to the late Ayrton Senna, has taken a somewhat strange pole position for the GP2 event in Magny Cours this weekend. Following the Formula One circus around, GP2 is a major feeder series to Formula One, and young Senna is one of the stars pipped for future success. However, his antics in France have shown tanacity that I’ve only heard of from his uncle. In fact, if my vague memory serves correct, didn’t Ayrton get a good result in Nevers in much the same way as this…? Continue Reading

Fernando Alonso has topped the timing sheets in the second practice session for Sunday’s French Grand Prix. On Renault’s home soil, the Spaniard popped in a sterling lap towards the end of the 90 minute run and displaced the Ferrari’s of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen. Lewis Hamilton had to settle for fourth while Sebastian Vettel impressed with fifth. However, the Scuderia Toro Rosso’s are not consistent front-runners and I expect the German driver to slide back during qualifying. Continue Reading

Felipe Massa has gone fastest around Magny Cours in this morning’s practice session, the Brazilian driver setting a lap time 0.7s faster than Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren. Less than 0.05s behind Hamilton was team mate Heikki Kovalainen and Kimi Raikkonen went fourth in the sister Ferrari. Robert Kubica continued to do a solid job for BMW while Fernando Alonso pleased fans with a sixth place position, only 0.4s down on the McLaren’s. Although his engine went pop just before the scheduled break for lunch. Continue Reading

This time last year was meant to be the last French Grand Prix held at Magny Cours in Nevers, France. However, Bernie Ecclestone found enough softness in his heart to allow a years reprieve for the circuit and now, in 2008, we are supposedly visiting the track for the very last time. So why is Bernie against the circuit, and what can be done in the future to ensure France - the founders of grand prix motor racing - keep a race in their country. Continue Reading

This news has since been confirmed as true by the FFSA.

Pitpass have reported that the French Grand Prix may have been dropped from the 2008 Formula One calendar, following reports made in L’Equipe. Apparently, the FIA have stated that the event cannot take place in current conditions and logistical problems are preventing Mangy Cours from hosting the race. It was recently mooted that Britain and France could share a slot on the racing calendar, which is something Magny Cours seemed keen on. However, BRDC President (the organisation that still owns Silverstone) Damon Hill said that this solution would be a last resort. Continue Reading