From GMM

Political opposition is posing an obstacle to the health of France's new formula one project, according to Alain Prost.

The former quadruple world champion said that while French prime minister Francois Fillon backs the project at Flins-Les-Mureaux, northeast of Paris, there are troublesome "political problems".

For example, it is believed that Fillon's own environment minister fiercely opposes the project.

"On the side of the government, it is necessary that everything is clear," Prost told the Le journal du Dimanche newspaper.

He said a formal procedure of "public debate" is possible, which would "undoubtedly" complicate plans to stage a French grand prix there in 2011.

Prost indicated that Flins is the only chance of the country returning to the formula one calendar in the foreseeable future.

"The only alternative is Magny Cours, but it is not compatible with the desires of Bernie Ecclestone and the manufacturers," he explained.

With the failure of the Disneyland Paris project in recent memory, Prost said politics are routinely a problem "in France".

"Everyone has their own agenda," the Frenchman contended. "It is difficult to get everyone in unison, much time and energy is wasted. And then there are the people who make a lot of noise without knowing enough.

"I don't want to give up but it is difficult to be constantly between two points: it is happening, it is not happening. It's typical France."

In the meantime, the future of Hockenheim's formula one race could become clear after a meeting on Wednesday.

State prime minister Gunther Oettinger is seeking a meeting with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Hockenheim has said that, without a solution, it will not return to the calendar in 2010 due to annual million euro losses.

A precise deadline for a solution has not been set, but it is said that Hockenheim needs approximately a full year to prepare for a 2010 race.