F1: Am I missing something?

May be...

One problem is a GP at Le Mans would only be 21 laps under current F1 rules. Another is safety issues; the pole car averaged about 150 mph this year.

But the main problem is that Bernie promises the high roller sponsors that the cars will pass in front of them at least 50-60 times per race.

France wants to rejoin the Grand Prix circus, why not use the Le Mans circuit? A 35 lap race around the entire Le Mans circuit would be fantastic, with all the inclines and mega long straights. Is there some sort of rule as to why it can't be held there? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? (Again)

I guess for the spectators, they would get a little less for their money because they get to cheer for their team or driver only 35 times rather than 68 or whatever.
TV cameras - would it be too much of a hassle for them to put in extra cameras? I wouldn't think so.
Medical cars may need to have several "stations" so that it doesn't take longer to get to the crash site.
It would suck for the drivers when their cars break down or run out of fuel....that long lonely walk of shame with their helmet on back to the garage will be even longer!

With the trend towards ever-shorter circuits I suspect the Le Mans track is far too long for modern F1.

I think the logic about shorter tracks is about making the cars pass each point on the track a certain number of times per race, but I'd much prefer a return to longer tracks with a bit more variety about them.

There wouldn't be a problem about actually using the track, they already close all the roads four times a year, a fifth time wouldn't be a problem, especially if it was coordinated with a French bank holiday every year (the problem being that French bank holidays move around with the exact date, they aren't all on Mondays like they are in England). We could have a Friday or Saturday GP for the first time in nearly 30 years, I suppose...

the le mans circuit is too long and so it would take 3-4 mins to do a lap this would result in the qualifying being too expensive and the tyre use would be Immense.

IMHO France, like Britain, should never be OFF the calendar!
Alas, the thought of an F1 car zooming about Le Mans would be akin to the disastrous use of the Brickyard. As that is unique to US racing series, Le Mans is Le Mans!
If Bernie had any sense he should move it from the dire Magny Yawn to the sublime Dijon, which he owns. (someone correct me on this if that is not the case.)

On television the Le Mans race would be a spectacle to watch, however it's not particularly viable to carry on, more cameras, more grandstands, and people wouldnt get value for money. They won't go on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit either, they tried in 1969, and it was the most boring race ever. Seriously it was crap! Looks like Paris in 2011...

I've always thought that too... but then much like the old Nordschleife, it's far too long for the fat cat sponsors that Bernie has to wine and dine at each race

Us race fans would love it I'm sure, and the logistics wouldn't be too different from the 24 Heures

Le Mans would make for a great F1 venue and it would be a great gesture by the FIA-FOM to choose a track based on fan interest and good race potential rather than simply for commercial reasons.
Why not have an event like The Festival Of Speed at Le Mans during an F1 weekend, its certainly big enough and it would keep everyone busy for the 3 days, it could be a full on celebration of F1 and its history. Around 250000 fans were at Le Mans this year,it would be great to see numbers like that at an F1 race.
Each year we seem to lose a race or two that the fans love for commercial reasons. Time we got something back I think.
Throw us a bone Bernie! (hmm another doggy reference)air miles programme