FRENCH GP SUFFERS TRAFFIC SNARL-UP

LE CASTELLET, France: Crisis talks to resolve serious traffic and parking problems at the French Grand Prix were taking place late Friday (Saturday in Manila) after a day of extraordinary queues, over-heating cars and angry ticket-holders.

Many spectators, who had purchased tickets to watch Friday’s two opening practice sessions, were unable to reach the circuit by car because of the long tail-backs on the narrow roads leading to the relatively inaccessible Le Castellet circuit.

India operations chief Otmar Szafnauer forced to cancel a business meeting because of the problem and drivers, including four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, also left frustrated by

Szafnauer said it had taken him “two hours to go 10 miles” on Friday morning. -

never made it. He had to turn around and go back to the airport.

“He phoned and told me ‘sorry, I’ve moved seven kilometers in two

so I have to turn back.”

French driver Romain Grosjean of the Haas team said he was traveling in with Vettel when they were stopped at a police roadblock on a back lane.

“We were driving, riding with Vettel, and got stopped by the police and we wanted to go again and the police wouldn’t let us. I had the pass, I had my t-shirt -- I had everything.”

Eventually, it is understood the police allowed Vettel to go through.

In a statement, the Var prefecture said it believed “the situation is improving” and added that a planned meeting with the organisers of the French Grand Prix was to go ahead in a bid to create a contingency plan.

were

still

in evidence on

Friday added to the chaos created by the return of the French Grand Prix at Le Castellet after 28 years.

held up for hours in the long tailbacks on the only road to the circuit.

to close many smaller roads and op- car parks one by one. plan to allow the use of two lanes on car parks simultaneously in a bid to ease the congestion.

to restrict capacity to 65,000, but on Friday found it was unable to manage the pressure of thousands of spectators arriving together.

Formula One chairman Chase Carey said: “It’s great to be popular. We have got a great crowd on Friday and it will grow bigger as the weekend goes on and they will all have fun.”

AFP PHOTO Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the second practice session at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France, on Saturday, ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix de France. LE CASTELLET, France: Lewis Hamilton will risk losing his focus on this Sunday’s French Grand Prix by watching England play a World Cup match shortly before the race.The four- time world champion said he will try to do two things at once - prepare for the race and support England when they play Panama.“It’s going to be a little harder to focus on the race because we will be watching it,” he told reporters on Thursday.“The game will be on TV here and l am sure my guys will try to keep an eye on both things at the same time - as will I.“Naturally, every time this championship comes around, you hope for something special to happen for England. In my lifetime it’s not been great for us, but we have a good team and England deserve at some time to win the World Cup.“And it’s exciting to watch. Every time, I was driving around at home last week the games were on everywhere.”He added: “Winning the World Cup is a dream for every kid and I am privileged that

AFP PHOTO Red Bull Racing’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo drives during the first practice session at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern France, on Friday, ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix de France.