Au revoir, Montréal: FIA cancels Canadian GP for 2009
Everyone's surprised as the FIA has announced it is canceling the Canadian Grand Prix. Those in the world of F1 racing have come to know the event as a staple of the F1 calendar. Racing fans in Montreal, this writer's home town that has hosted the race for the past three decades, are shocked to lose the event. And that includes the race organizers, who apparently learned of the news the same way the rest of us have.
The cancellation of the race leaves a month-long gap in the race calendar in August of next season, and with the U.S. Grand Prix off the schedule the past few years, means F1 will stay completely out of North America. And save for the Brazilian Grand Prix, out of the Western Hemisphere altogether. But the trip across the Atlantic for the one race cost the teams dearly, and the sport's organizers have been on a crusade to cut costs. No doubt the officials at le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will be burning up the phone lines to Formula One Management and the FIA, and organizers in far-flung Rio de Janeiro and Melbourne will be waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Thanks to everyone who sent in the tip.
[Source: F1-Live, Photo by CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
WolfgangNC 4:35PM (10/07/2008)
F1 has always been a European racing series that happens to go to other continents. Personally it is looking like Europe and Asia are going to be the arenas for F1.
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Mitch 11:38PM (10/09/2008)
The F1 not just going out from some Europeen circuit too. St-Martin is out too. Bernie bring the F1 where the money go, and the money is outgoing some europeen circuit.
urbanT 4:37PM (10/07/2008)
what an ironic picture...bonjour quebec and yet au revoir to montreal
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chairman 4:42PM (10/07/2008)
I hope this improves the odds of a Las Vegas GP in the future- I'd finally have a reason to go to such a tourist rat trap.
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JD 5:59PM (10/07/2008)
You still wouldn't have a reason, they need a race track with some elevation change, I think. I went to the USGP at indy, and while it was well worth it to see and especially hear those cars, road courses aren't the most exciting tracks to see those cars on. Unless there's an impressive track in vegas with lots of elevation change I'm not aware of, but they couldn't have it during the summer in vegas- that would blow.
ATLien 2:50PM (10/08/2008)
DO NOT speak heresy of the Holy City!
Kowell 4:42PM (10/07/2008)
Of course this has nothing to do with the new race on the calendar being close to Dubaï...... of course not.... Dear old Berny would never chose money over the fans...
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hashiryu 4:42PM (10/07/2008)
F1 is an INTERNATIONAL series.......
F'king Bernie........I can't believe this.........
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Noz 7:00PM (10/07/2008)
Ecclestone is a piece of sh6f4t. I've hated this sc5mbag wierdo since he got involved. I don't know why they let so many Brits into F1 but IMO it's a huge detriment to the sport.
Fernando 4:49PM (10/07/2008)
This is the worst load of crap of news I have read yet this year. I cannot believe this crock of s**t. I got something to say to F1----FU.
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John P. 4:49PM (10/07/2008)
These new countries on the calendar will have to start cultivating drivers for F1 to last there. Without a Local Spin, F1 will get tiring for fans and Bernie will have to move on. It's not a bad thing, that's just the way it is. He's just following the short term money. Smart and Necessary to survive.
Europe is well represented with capable drivers in the Series. It helps. They still do Flag Wave in Europe believe it or not.
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Fernando 4:50PM (10/07/2008)
Noah,
The Brazilian Grand Prix is actually held in Sao Paulo not Rio BTW.
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David M 4:57PM (10/07/2008)
This is ridiculous! I was just about to buy tickets in the next couple of weeks too! I live in the US and went to the Montreal GP earlier this year - it was completely sold out and was a great experience.
With the US race gone and now Canada (as well as the race just being a parade), I will probably stop watching F1 or supporting them in any way.
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giuseppe 5:14PM (10/07/2008)
This is disappointing news. That track had so much history and many great battles were fought there (GP of 2005). I wish hungary or valencia would face the cut, they suck!
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why not the LS2LS7? 5:05PM (10/07/2008)
Whatever. Bernie wants sanctioning fees. New venues generally pay higher fees.
Yes, it's long-term stupid, but then again, so is Bernie.
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parkergc8 5:10PM (10/07/2008)
I'm sad and pissed.
Definitely hate F1 a bit more now. I can't see a reason other than money for this.
This is certainly not for the good of the fans. Where are the fans in Dubai and Bahrain? They aren't fans just people flexing their financial muscle.
Ever since Indy 05 has the FIA made it clear their intentions are not good racing and a fan friendly system. they may lead on to this but I just can't see it anymore. Look at how many people have been caught out in caution pit stops and the FIA still hasn't changed the rules.
I'm really pissed and have canceled plans to purchase merchandise and tickets. I know Bernie won't care, nor will Max, it will make me feel better, though. Too bad, there is so much potential with F1, oh well, it's not worth being spit at by Europeans and other Inconsequential countries (Turkey gets a G.P.? Why?)
I'll miss the fun F1 but I certainly won't miss F1 the way it is now. I fear I won't be able to avoid it, however.
Watch Max Mosely isn't going to resign like he promised this month either. Mark those words.
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Cypher09 5:10PM (10/07/2008)
Their cutting Montreal for cost reasons? Cost cutting shouldn't even be an issue in F1. If you want to whine about money and race in a spec. series then do that. F1 should be cutting edge technology not a series for penny pinchers.
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PumaGTO 5:51PM (10/07/2008)
well... That was back in the days... Welcome to reality, mate.
why not the LS2LS7? 7:20PM (10/07/2008)
There are two kinds of series:
Those that control costs.
And those that have chronic car count problems.
F1 will be down to two teams if they don't control costs. If you find that exciting, great. But most won't.
David Wiles 12:10AM (10/08/2008)
"Cost cutting shouldn't even be an issue in F1. "
Really easy thing to say when it's not your money. At the end of the day every team in Formula 1 is financed by corporations that exist to make a profit. If participation stops making sense financially, they'll simply go away as engine makers (Porsche, Ford) and many, many champion car builders (Lotus, Cooper, BRM, Brabham, March, Tyrell and others) have over the years.