All I can say is that if this is true - I am done with this f-ed up sport............... Kevin S. Orchard Park, NY (F-U Bernie!) Canadian GP dropped for 2009 Eurosport - Tue, 07 Oct 13:25:00 2008 The Canadian Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2009 Formula One calendar with the season remaining at 18 races. More StoriesFuji: Tech File Fuji: A lap with Alex Wurz The International Automobile Federation issued a revised calendar with Turkey moving from August to June to allow a summer break for the teams. There will be no North American round after the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis was dropped this year. Reuters
Maybe the teams pushed for this as it's too expensive to haul everything over here for one race? If true, this will pretty much kill any chances of a rekindled USGP.
more..... Canadian GP dropped from 2009 calendar By Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, October 7th 2008, 12:38 GMT The Canadian Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2009 Formula One calendar, leaving North America with no grands prix next season. The FIA issued on Tuesday the World Motor Sport Council's decision, with the Montreal race absent for the first time since 1987. The governing body confirmed an 18-race calendar, including a summer break thanks to having moved the Turkish Grand Prix from August to June. The WMSC also agreed to give FIA president Max Mosley the authority to deal with the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) for the introduction of "radical measures to achieve a substantial reduction of costs in the championship from 2010." "Failing agreement with FOTA, the FIA will enforce the necessary measures to achieve this goal," said the FIA in a statement. "It was further unanimously agreed to allow Formula One teams to equalise engine performance across the field for 2009, pending the introduction of cost-saving measures from 2010," it added. 2009 F1 calendar: Australia 29 March Malaysia 5 April Bahrain 19 April Spain 10 May Monaco 24 May Turkey 7 June Great Britain 21 June France 28 June Germany 12 July Hungary 26 July Europe (Valencia) 23 August Belgium 30 August Italy 13 September Singapore 27 September Japan 11 October China 18 October Brazil 1 November Abu Dhabi 15 November
This is very sad. It is a great event, tremendously supported by the area wide fans. I was there this year and it is a city wide festival. Maybe IMSA could take over the June weekend with an American Lemans race. I just came back from Atlanta and watching the LMP1 and LMP2 cars at night is amazing. Alot of great history for that spot on the calender. Bernie strikes again!
What complete and utter BS! I think Mr. Ecclestone will go wherever he can get the most money. All of these new countries looking to host an F1 event have very deep pockets and are willing to pay to secure a race, and Bernie is more than happy to oblige. He doesn't give a rat's ass about the implications.....no F1 race in North America.......the biggest automotive market in the world, is an absolute farce. It baffles me how one who possesses well more than a billion dollars still needs more - his level of greed is is on it's own level.
Mr. E is simply waiting for a fatter envelope to be pushed under the door...before further adjustments are made. CH
I went to the race this year and I was impressed with the support of the city. It is a great event. This sucks.
+100 I am in a totally bad mood today because of this. This race was a jewel of Canada. It was profitable, and popular beyond imaginable. It was always sold out, and always provided a huge party. I guess Montreal isn't as popular as "Dubai".... What a joke.
Agreed that losing Canada sucks. However, I think the above quote is even more worrying - Mad Max appears to have a mandate to do as he pleases, and we *know* that's not a good thing (unless you happen to be a leather clad whore of course....) I was hoping that the FOTA might be able and willing to "stand up" to his nonsense, but it appears they're just going to buckle as usual Cheers, Ian
Its all about the money. I have been slowly loosing interest in F1 because of this and now it solidifies for me. I doubt I will waste many of my Sundays next year watching this farce. This is now a joke....a scripted one at that. Maybe thats why they are moveing more into the third world countries for these races. They dont care about the script..They dont care if they all ran VW enigines ..they just want to see the cars do anything. Turkey??? What a joke.
that figures. ive wanted to go for last 20 yrs and now that i finally made plans for 09, its too late
I am baffeled....for most of the manufactures involed in F1, North America is their biggest market, its in their best interest to have a race. when you look at the Canadian GP, it has been one of the better events on the schedule, lots of support from the city, fan friendly, the track does need some work, but thats an easy fix.
