French Grand Prix reportedly close to a return

After last staging a race in 2008, France's re-instatement to the Formula One calendar is imminent, according to the man assigned by the country's prime minister to bring back the French Grand Prix. HT reports.

After last staging a race in 2008, France's re-instatement to the Formula One calendar is imminent, according to the man assigned by the country's prime minister to bring back the French Grand Prix.

Ferrari-s-Felipe-Massa-triumphed-at-the-2008-French-GP

Gilles Dufeigneux was quoted in French newspaper Nice-Matin as saying that things are moving in a "very real way". The Paul Ricard Circuit is rumored to be venue most likely to stage the race. Paul Ricard hosted the French GP 14 times between 1971 and 1990. The venue was popular amongst fans not only due to its fast layout but also due to its proximity to the southern port city of Marseilles, a popular destination for tourists.

Dufeigneux claimed that negotiations had reached the final stages and that a decision on the event's return would be taken sometime in January or early February of next year.

Aside from its location, Paul Ricard is expected to be a frontrunner due to being owned by F1's promoter and commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone through a company called Excelis. The circuit has also been heavily revamped to meet international standards and has become a popular test venue for F1 teams.