After two 'flyaway' races in Canada and the United States,
Formula 1 returns to Europe for another brace of back-to-back events, starting, this weekend, in France.
Much as the teams make out that they despise heading to the heart of the country, and the middle of nowhere, for the race, they will all take a longing last look at Magny-Cours this weekend, for there will be no French Grand Prix in 2008, while the FFSA gets its house in order ahead of a proposed move to another circuit for 2010.
Formula One returns to Europe with as big a buzz surrounding
Lewis Hamilton as when it left for Montreal, the British phenomenon having now added two race wins to his already impressive start to the season, and holding a ten-point championship advantage that will ensure he heads to his home race with at least a share of the lead next weekend.
How France will respond to the
rosbif remains to be seen, however, especially with none of its countrymen to embrace following the country's continuing absence from the driver roster. Franck Montagny is not only the last Frenchman to grace the
F1 grid, he is currently the best placed to return, although
Ralf Schumacher's turbulent season with
Toyota appears set to continue, depriving the home crowd of someone to cheer this weekend at least.
FIA F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
The main news since the Canadian Grand Prix - and Lewis Hamilton’s second win in succession, concerns former F1 mega star,
Michael Schumacher, who has announced that he will come out of retirement to compete in the 2007 Race of Champions (RoC).
The gladiatorial-style RoC has been in existence since 1988, and Schumacher's return – the German previously competed in the event in 2004 in Paris, when he lost out to current
Renault rookie
Heikki Kovalainen in the final shoot-out – is sure to be a major draw as the event heads to Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 16 December, the first time it has taken place on British soil.
