[MAGNY-COURS, France]

The Magny-Cours motor racing circuit on Friday unveiled plans for a major redevelopment of its site and facilities in a bid to retain the French Grand Prix.

After months of rumours about the future of the French race, and suggestions that it may relocate to Paris or Rouen, the management of the Magny-Cours track in central France finally hit back.

In a statement released on Friday, the race organisers revealed plans for a new pits complex, a wider pit lane and an enhanced start-finish straight along with a new paddock and office area and upgraded hospitality facilities.

'These changes shape the underlying basis for 'Magny-Cours 2', which is now an indispensable element in safeguarding the future,' said the statement.

'This project is essential not only if Formula One racing is to remain in the Nievre, and in Bourgogne, but also if France, as a country, is to remain attractive to Formula One racing.' The proposals also include plans for new grandstands and the development of new hotels in the immediate close vicinity.

The circuit has been criticised for its facilities, poor access and lack of prestige accommodation by many Formula One representatives, but notably the sport's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone who controls the calendar.

Mr Ecclestone has pushed for the race to be shifted out of the relatively inaccessible central France area and taken to Paris, perhaps to the Disneyland Resort, where he believes it would be a huge success.

Mr Ecclestone was also on Friday reported to be in talks with the Donington Park circuit in England with a view to moving the British Grand Prix away from Silverstone, which he has also described as having inadequate facilities and a poor location and access.

The only French driver in Formula One motor racing, Sebastien Bourdais, said his nation must work hard to retain the French Grand Prix or risk sliding into motor racing oblivion.

Bourdais, 29, who was born at Le Mans, warned that even one year off the calendar could have very negative effects on interest in the race and in the sport in the country which inaugurated Grand Prix motor racing.

'France is a big nation, a big car producer and we need a French Grand Prix - it is as basic as that,' said Bourdais, a multiple champion driver in the United States before embarking on his rookie season in F1 this year.

'It doesn't matter whether it is here or somewhere else, but if we are going to do it somewhere else then we are going to need a bit of time - and it is probably not going to happen overnight.

'Most definitely there is doubt over it for next year, but I personally hope that we will still be here (Magny-Cours) in 2009, because we can't afford to have a blank year and not come to France.

'That would drop the interest - so we will see what happens.' Bourdais said he understood there had been good negotiations with the French government about the future of the race and added that renewed French interest this year had increased the expected attendance by 12 per cent.