Another name can be added to possible alternative venues for the French grand prix — Versailles.
With the race almost certain to move away from uninspiring Magny Cours after this season’s running, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is keen to set up a new French event either in downtown Paris or the capital’s Disneyland Park.
A report in the sports publication L’Equipe on Wednesday, however, said officials of Versailles – which is not far from Paris itself – had put forward the historic city or suburb as a possible alternate F1 venue.
France’s minister of culture Christine Albanel, however, who is a former Versailles official, is quoted as saying by the news agency AFP: “I am worried about this.
“If the grand prix takes place in Versailles, then at least 100,000 spectators will come. And that will lead to large problems.”