Hopes that the French Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar soon suffered a blow on Tuesday, after plans for a new circuit to host the race were canceled.
Earlier this year, French authorities singled out a 2.8-mile track at Flins-Les-Mureaux, northwest of Paris, as the preferred venue for a future F1 event. The track was going to form the centerpiece of a new industrial complex that would attract major investment to the Yvelines region. It was hoped the track would be ready to host the French GP in 2011. However, even though the industrial parts of the project have gone ahead and been a success, local authorities have decided to scrap plans for the F1 track.
Alain Schmitz, president of the general council of Yvelines, said on Tuesday: "Having consulted all the stakeholders in this case, I have decided in agreement with the elected county council to abandon the construction of the Formula 1 circuit."
Although the end of the plans for a race at Flins-Les-Mureaux is a big blow for French GP hopes, there still remains a chance the race could find its way back. Earlier this year, bosses at the Paul Ricard circuit expressed an interest in bidding for the F1 race.