Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday admitted it is possible France will return to the F1 calendar in 2013.
With New York falling off next year’s schedule, reports in France this week quoted Paul Ricard chief Stephane Clair as predicting a "90 per cent" chance the circuit will step into the gap on the 20-race schedule.
"We are ready to sign," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told reporters as he cut a cake for his 82nd birthday in the Buddh paddock.
"Which circuit they are going to use is one thing (to resolve), and who is going to pay for it. That’s the bottom line."
Meanwhile, Ecclestone scoffed in typical fashion at suggestions the FIA’s new ’formula E’ championship for electric cars could one day rival F1.
The diminutive Briton said that claim is "stupid".
"I think those sort of things are lawn-mowers," he is quoted by PTI news agency.