French Grand Prix Off the 2009 Calendar, May Move to New Venue in 2010

The official Formula 1 Web site said today that "potential new venues are being considered for the future." European media are reporting that the French motorsport federation (FFSA) believes the race is too financially risky and want to have the event closer to Paris. The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K. is reporting that the FFSA has under consideration locations including Disneyland Paris or a permanent racing facility that would be built near the Disneyland site.

The cancellation follows closely on the demise of the 2009 Canadian Grand Prix, which was announced earlier this month. The French Grand Prix has been off the calendar only once since the Formula 1 racing series started in 1950; that was in 1955, after the infamous accident that year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in which scores of spectators were killed.

The revised 2009 Formula 1 calendar — without Paris or Canada on it — is set for release by the end of October.

Inside Line says: In 2009 at least, Formula 1 ne parle pas français. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent