Montreal on the F1 calendar until 2024?
The promoter of the Canadian Grand Prix has a contract with F1 until 2014, but it could be extended by an additional 10 years.
The Canadian Grand Prix could remain on the Formula 1 calendar according to Bernie Ecclestone. The head of commercial rights was able to meet several officials from the Canadian government last weekend during the Grand Prix, and the future of the race seems promising.
The Briton confided in an interview with La Presse that the discussions were able to advance: « The annual fees are settled. It’s not a problem. We just need the green light to build (a future) here. »
Ecclestone, however, stated that a renovation of the circuit and facilities will be necessary: « We just want an upgrade, we don’t want it to look like Abu Dhabi. But we want a fresh look. If we build facilities here like those at Silverstone, that would be great. »
The head of FOM admitted that F1 loved coming to Canada, so he hopes it will continue: “Canada is important to us. We all love coming here, the people are welcoming: that’s why we are here.”
Last weekend, the race was won by Lewis Hamilton ahead of Romain Grosjean and Sergio Pérez. There were no incidents, as had been feared with the student protests that have paralyzed the city for many weeks, and it was a relief for François Dumontier, the event promoter, as quoted by La Presse: « I am relieved. I cannot deny that the past two weeks have been trying. Organizing a Grand Prix is already difficult enough, I would have gladly done without all these threats. »
He also confirmed that discussions had taken place between Bernie Ecclestone and some ministers during the Canadian Grand Prix: « We’ve been talking about it for several months and it’s progressing. There are no obstacles for the moment. He was here, so we took the opportunity to discuss it. There were also some ministers present, so we took advantage of that. »
The Canadian Grand Prix, whose contract ends in 2014, could therefore continue to exist on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar. A new 10-year contract is reportedly in the works, which would bring F1 to the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit at least until 2024.
