F1: France Now Close To Formula One Calendar Return?

Formula 1

F1: France Now Close To Formula One Calendar Return?

Officials from France are seeking to bring a Grand Prix back to their country...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted December 21, 2011 GMM Newswire

France prime minister Francois Fillon has reportedly given the green light on a French GP in 2013. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

France's return to the F1 calendar after a three-year absence is now looming.

That is the claim of Gilles Dufeigneux, who in June was appointed directly by French prime minister Francois Fillon to lead efforts to arrange the race's comeback.

It is reported by the Nice-Matin newspaper that the event would be staged at Paul Ricard, with an annual race date alternating with Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps.

"Things are moving in a very real way," said Dufeigneux.

"All the indicators are green now, or soon will be. My current mood is summarized with three words: optimism, prudence, humility.

"We have entered the stage of completion and we can say that final decisions will be made very soon, in January or early February," he revealed.