The French GP is likely to be pulled from the 2009 calendar owing to financial difficulties faced by the country's motorsports governing body.
The Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile (FFSA) announced on Wednesday that it has withdrawn its backing for the race, which has been held at the Magny-Cours circuit since 1991.
"For reasons linked to the economic situation, the FFSA have decided to cancel the French Grand Prix, scheduled in the FIA Formula One Championship for June 16, 27, 28, 2009," read an FFSA statement posted on the French Grand Prix's official website, www.gpfrancef1.com.
"The FFSA would like to thank all the clients who were present at the France Grand Prix and who supported this international event in these last years.
"The FFSA would like to apologise to everyone for the inconvenience."
The future of the French Grand Prix has hung in the balance for a number of years, with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone keen to move the race away from the Magny-Cours circuit, which is based in a remote part of the country.
Ecclestone revealed in May that the 2008 race would be the last at the unpopular circuit, but the event appeared to be handed a reprieve when it appeared on the official calendar for the 2009 season released by the FIA last week.
But Wednesday's announcement has plunged the future of the race back into serious doubt, and FFSA president Nicolas Deschaux admitted there would be no reprieve for the 2009 race if an alternative backer failed to materialise.
"After studies in the context of the economic situation, the FFSA have renounced themselves as the financial promoter of a Formula One GP of France," FFSA president Nicolas Deschaux said in quotes reported on the L'Equipe website.
"In consequence, and if a promoter is not identified to succeed the FFSA, the France GP cannot figure in the FIA international calendar in 2009."
According to L'Equipe, the FFSA expects the French Grand Prix to return to the Formula One calendar in time for the 2010 season, but at a new venue.
Six likely venues have been examined by the FFSA - among them plans for a redevelopment of Magny-Cours and sites in Sarcelles and Flins - but according to Deschaux, the most likely venue for a race in 2010 would be a temporary facility based at the Disneyland Resort, just outside Paris.
"The only plans that can be put in place in 2010 is the Paris Val d'Europe [Disney] project," Deschaux revealed.
