Thursday 5 June at 17:50 : The regional council of Nievre, which houses the Magny Cours circuit, is hopeful the local French grand prix can be retained beyond the forthcoming June event.

F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone wants to move the race to the capital Paris, saying recently that 2008 is to be his sport's last visit to the unpopular Magny Cours venue.

Magny Cours, located in central rural France, is commonly cited as among the least popular destinations on the calendar, due to its isolated location and lack of accommodation.

With the event's prospects diminishing, last hopes have turned to Nievre, whose president of the general council is Marcel Charmant.

"I will apply every effort so that the Grand Prix de France takes place on the Circuit de Magny Cours in 2009," he is quoted as saying by the news agency Belga/lpb.