Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that he has no intentions of signing a deal to bring back the French Grand Prix.

The race had been on the calendar in almost every season since F1 started in 1950, but it hasn't been staged since 2008.

This is due to the unpopularity of the Magny-Cours circuit, which had hosted the race since 1991 and is located in a remote part of the country.

Ecclestone told Sky Sports News: "There isn't a good circuit in France. We left France because it didn't work for anyone. France could get support to hold a race but where it is, nobody is excited by it."

The 84-year-old, who owns the Formula One Group, negotiates deals with host nations and venues and has hinted that a deal with New Jersey could be revived.

The event, which was set to be named The Grand Prix of America, was pencilled in for 2013 and 2014 but collapsed under financial pressure.

Ecclestone added: "I'd like to get a race in South Africa. There are other places in America – I am disappointed we didn't get the New Jersey race but maybe we will. I think it will happen."

The provisional 2016 F1 calendar will be released at the end of the summer.