Good news later on hopefully. Montreal set for salvage talks. Wed 22 Oct, 05:53 PM Crash.net A delegation from Montreal is expected to meet with Bernie Ecclestone in an effort to save the Canadian GP. Gerald Tremblay, the mayor of Montreal, is set to fly to London along with two senior cabinet ministers for talks with Bernie Ecclestone focused aimed at saving the Canadian Grand Prix. A meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council earlier this month revealed a revised calendar for the 2009 season without the Canadian event - with the event promoter revealing that a commercial disagreement had played a key part in the decision. Earlier this week, officials from Grand Prix du Canada were forced to deny stories that they owed a 'substantial' amount of money to Ecclestone's Formula One Management group. Having already said that promoting the event was no longer viable for a private group, they won't be involved in salvage talks with Ecclestone to try and get the race back on track and have already stated that 'only the government' can save the race. As a result, Tremblay will be joined on the trip by Raymond Bachand, the Quebec minister for economic development, and Michael Fortier, the federal minister of international trade. With the race believed to be worth as much as $75 million to the local economy, talks are now set to take place to get it back on the calendar, although Bachand wouldn't give much away about how much the government would be prepared to provide in an attempt to save the event. "If we are able to reasonably and responsibly save this event, we will do it," he told the Montreal Gazette. "The Grand Prix is a big event, it's the biggest tourism event, but how much does it bring in concretely, not only in spinoffs, but in cash in our pockets as citizens, as taxpayers? "I am going to negotiate with Mr. Ecclestone, so we will keep our cards to ourselves."
I was talking today with somebody from Canada who is involved in the GP and they said, that there is still a good chance for 2009.
I'm not holding my breath: The clock is ticking and a solution has to be found over the next few weeks or it is too late. And we've see in the US how hard/impossible negotiating with Bernie can be.
The official year end dinner in Monaco is when the final FIA calendar is being presented. That happens normally in the beginning of December. Now go feed them dogs!
Instead of ferret stroking, Montreal should be looking for a suitable replacement for the weekend utilizing a unique combination of series appealing to a wide variety of race fans. I'm sick of Bernie, Max, the bending of rules and the decision that the circus is fine without NA. Works for me. Hope all races are conducted in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and China eventually and that a new series evolves utilizing revered venues who were forced out by BE's avarice.
You'd think that all the duped race track organizers would do something about it. How hard can it be to "clone" Bernie and establish an alternative F1 series? Apparently very hard.
Nope. Not that I expected anything just yet. I think it is wishful thinking on their part. Bernie understands only one language and that's $$$. He takes any excuse (like the breaking up tarmac in the hairpin) to cancel/not renew a contract if he has somebody else waiting with more $$$ in their hand. I used to defend Bernie on here thinking he really has only the best in mind for the sport. There was also talk about leaving the holy core of F1 racing in tact, but with trashing the French GP and the British soon, I no longer believe him. Maybe he had the best for the sport in his mind at some point and that mind is now gone.
If true thats not good. Roots matter to any organization that plans to have longevity. Heritage should be part of the equation. Possibly not in the case you have outlined above. Sorry to see this.
Absolutely. I do like that F1 goes more global and is no longer just a Euro event. I also like some of the new venues. But cutting out the very heart on which F1 was founded is plain stupid. I'm no fan of Silverstone or Magny-Cours, but a F1 calendar without a British or French Grand Prix is a Mickey Mouse series.
This is typical Ecclestone tactics: He knows Montreal is one of the most popular GPs (if not the most) of the season because it's a hugely popular event (the most crowd of any GP). And bottom line, he wants more money from Legault, the organizer (Montreal = huge crowd = I want more of the pie). I believe the City of Montreal, the Quebec Government will come up with the cash to help save the Grand Prix as they cannot afford losing the most lucrative event for the city and the province. The 2009 Canadian Grand Prix will happen... But this shows how Bernie Ecclestone has a firm control of F1.
I hope you're right. And when I was there this summer (again) I really got that feeling: I realized maybe for the first time how much the French in Canada are clinging to their motherland in Europe and how the GP is part of that: Loosing the race wouldn't be just one less sports event, but loosing a vital connection to France and Europe. They treat the event like it is Monaco in their own city and it would be a colossal loss, not just to race fans, but to all French speaking Canadians. Somebody from Canada might comment on this and tell me how much off base I am, but that was the sentiment I got when watching/living the activities around town and in the media. Seulement mes deux centimes.
Canadian funding decision expected Friday Thursday 30th October 2008 - PlanetF1.com The future of the Canadian GP could be decided on Friday with the Montreal government set to announce whether they will help fund the race. Earlier this month it was announced that Canada had been dropped from the calendar, with reports later claiming that it was due to lack of funding. Government officials met with Bernie Ecclestone last week in the hope of finding a solution that would see the grand prix reinstated. However, in order for that to happen both funding and a new race promoter will be needed. And according to The Montreal Journal, Canadian fans can expect to find out some time tomorrow whether or not the funding will be granted by the Montreal government.
Bravo to the Montreal government for the extra effort. I remain optimistic that a solution can be found.
Andreas, you're absolutely correct regarding the Francophone connection the Grand Prix brings, but it was Gilles Villeneuve who immortalized the sport to Quebecers. His legacy made them believe it was their birthright to host the Canadian Grand Prix and thus, the only city worthy was Montreal.
Any news? From any Canadian f-chatters, any reports in this morning papers? As much as I am disguted with Bernie, F1 in Montreal is a tradition.
This all surprises me, the cancellation of the Canadian GP being canceled is a huge topic. Being not far from a local I thought me loving the race here was being biased. I attended the race last year and loved every moment of it. Hope it's saved and the popularity of the race makes me pretty pumped that it's not a Canadian issue but a worldwide discussion. Due to all these events I have decided to write my final paper, a research paper, on the Montreal F1. Please some main points would be appreciated I have the following floating around in my head as to what to cover include it's Rich history, Economic benefits, Social benefits...please help!
Pre-race show... According to Gerry Donaldson on TSN, Bernie said there is a "100% chance" that the Canadian GP will return next season... If they can find a new promotor. Evidently, the government/F1 talks went well. Keep your fingers crossed! Congratulations Lewis!
Yes. On the race broadcast Bob Varsha commented that the owner of Circ du Soleil is interested in sponsoring for 2009. Obviously enough money there to do it. I am just not sure how accurate Varsha's info was. As much as Bernie has pissed me off, I hope it returns to the calendar. From a spectator's point of view, it is a great overall race weekend.
