Deal to secure French Grand Prix is close

Talks have been held with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone for Formula One to return to the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet, near Marseille, France for the first time since 1990.

The French prime minister Francois Fillon has already made it clear that the event will not receive any financial backing from the government, but has declared that a French Grand Prix will be supported by the French government.

This means that France is hoping to secure a share deal, to host a bi-annual event at the Paul Ricard circuit.

'It is not possible to organise a grand prix every year, We are working on the idea of organising a grand prix every other year at Castellet and every other year in another country.' he told French media as quoted by Autosport Magazine.

The most likely scenario would appear to be a share deal with Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. But as yet no deals have been struck with either another circuit or Formula One.

'The organisers [FOM - Formula One Management] have approved F1, but without saying what the other country will be, The proposals are quite reasonable, but it is not done yet.'

It is believed that there are also some financial details to iron out, with the demands from Bernie Ecclestone currently two million Euros higher than what the race organisers are wanting to pay.

There is also no date set on when France could be added to the calendar.