Paul Ricard Circuit Dir Says There's 90% Chance F1 Will Return To France Next Season

Paul Ricard Circuit Dir Stéphane Clair revealed that a France F1 Grand Prix in '13 has "a 90% chance" of taking place, according to Matthieu Lauraux of TF1.fr. The possible withdrawal of the New Jersey race and new private investments could help F1 "return to France next year." Clair revealed that the track in Castellet is currently following two leads to finance the organization of a Grand Prix and the "small construction work that needs to be done." The first lead involves "an int'l sports promoter," and the second "private int'l investors." The current uncertainty regarding the New Jersey F1 race "gives an opportunity for June." However, Clair said, "This would cut our preparation down by two months, and on top of this the track is already reserved for the month of June." He said that the best date would be "the first weekend of September before the Italian Grand Prix" (TF1.fr, 10/25)