From GMM

Another potential site for a future French grand prix near Paris has reiterated its bid for the formula one race.

It emerged this week that the prospective organisers of an event on the grounds of Disneyland Paris, about a half hour drive from the capital, had scrapped their plans.

But a site at Sarcelles, a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, had earlier this year been put forward as an alternate potential venue for the French grand prix, given the demise of the Magny-Cours race.

In an official statement, the team behind the Sarcelles project said the plans can still be enacted.

It is believed a more likely start-date, however, would be 2011, meaning that France could be unrepresented on the F1 calendar for at least the next two years.

The Sarcelles statement also encouraged Lagardere, the potential promoter of the failed Disneyland bid, to "join in" the alternate efforts to bring formula one to Paris.

Former grand prix driver Jean-Pierre Beltoise has welcomed news that Disneyland Paris is no longer bidding to host the French grand prix.

The 71-year-old, who raced both motorcycle and four-wheeled grand prix machinery, is closely involved with the alternate plans to bring formula one to the Sarcelles commune in Paris' northern suburbs.

Referring to the end of Disneyland's bid, he told L'Equipe: "It's a good thing for French motor sport.

"Why? Because in Paris we lack a circuit for automobile racing and testing. The Disneyland project was for a temporary track that would be active for only 3 or 4 days of the year.

"So from this point of view, the abandonment of the project is good news because the investment can now be used for a true automotive stage that can be used all the year," said Beltoise.

He said organisers of the Sarcelles project are "in contact" with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who is interested in their plans.

"Now we are waiting. We will have an answer in a few weeks," he said.