No Pau Grand Prix in 2010

Motorsport lovers in France feared it: the Pau Grand Prix will be suspended in 2010. The signals had been red for several months, following the regularly worrying declarations of Martine Lignières-Cassou. This Thursday, the mayor of Pau formalized for 2010 the suspension of the historic Grand Prix, which hosted the WTCC grid this year. “ The City of Pau finances the Grand Prix to the tune of 2,2 million euros out of a budget of 2,7 million. Or 80%. We can't continue like this », declared Martine Lignières-Cassou to Sud-Ouest.

However, the mayor of Pau wishes “ sustain the event ”, in order to get back to basics. “ We have 20 months to overhaul the formula », concluded Ms. Lignières-Cassou. The Pau Grand Prix should therefore return in 2011, probably changing the date to be organized at Pentecost, and accommodate single-seaters, according to the wishes of the town hall.

For his part, Nicolas Deschaux is satisfied with this wish to place the event in time. “ I salute the desire of the city of Pau to perpetuate the event “, he declared to Sud Ouest during Martine Lignières-Cassou’s press conference. The president of the French Motor Sport Federation, based on the recent survey establishing that the French appreciate motorsport, also says he is convinced that the GP will return in 2011.