Show Me The Money: Attempts to rescue Canadian GP failed
Organizers, fans and media alike were shocked when the news broke that Formula One Management and the FIA had canceled the perennial Canadian Grand Prix, but the prospect remained open for local officials to renegotiate the contract. We're disappointed to report, however, that those prospects have now all but completely dissipated, as negotiations between the sport's commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone and representatives from the Canadian federal, Quebec provincial and Montreal municipal governments have broken down. And everyone's fingers are pointing at Bernie.
According to Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay, Ecclestone put forward an outrageous proposal extorting exorbitant multi-million-dollar fees from the race organizers, who receive backing from the three levels of government. The Canadian representatives then began considering levying a new tax over local hotels to cover the cost and planning to establish a non-profit organization to come up with a fiscally sound counter-offer, but even those prospects were completely shut down when Ecclestone stated his refusal to budge from his terms whatsoever. And so, with the US Grand Prix still out of the running – for the time being, at least – the top level of motor racing has completely abandoned North America altogether.
[Source: Autosport | Image: Lluis Gene/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
the vegas style guy 12:27PM (11/18/2008)
SCREW BILLIONAIRE SPORTS OWNERS! IN THIS ECONOMY ITS SUICIDE TO PLAY THEIR GAME FOR ANY POLITICIAN.
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Stan Man 8:18AM (11/18/2008)
Bernie can go to hell !!!
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Mobius_1 9:24AM (11/18/2008)
That's where he probably came from!
JK 8:31AM (11/18/2008)
F1 is dead. It's nothing more than a travelling carnival for the ultra rich. As far as seat of the pants racing goes, it's a bore. Let's hope the people in Montreal are smart enough to bring CART or ALMS to that wonderful circuit.
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Pdexter 8:46AM (11/18/2008)
Dunno about that considering last year F1 had 597 million viewers(haven't seen any numbers of this year). F1 is carnival on move, but that dosen't make it bad. There's rich(no pun intended) and very long history behind it, but it's really intresting to see how F1 evolves. I do agree that Bernie can go to hell thought ;)
Can't wait for next season with new regulations!
Robbie 11:34AM (11/18/2008)
Best of luck getting CART to show up, considering that they don't exactly exist.
Luis 1:11PM (11/18/2008)
@JK: I felt the need to sound off...I don't consider F1 "dead"...you can't blame the series for what out-of-touch-with-the-fans Bernie is doing to NA...as far as CART and ALMS...I agree with you on ALMS, but CART!?,seriuosly, I can't even name anyone in CART anymore! And I do wish F1 would pay more attention and learn a little something from ALMS where the drivers are still approacheable and kind to their fans;but that goes back to to the head cheese...
AZZO45b 6:03PM (11/18/2008)
Luis... take a look at the '09 aero packages the teams are currently testing... the BMW Sauber makes me think the Indy Car (IRL) Dallara is a beauty queen! The tall skinny rear wing is especially FUGLY.
CART died years ago Champ Car World Series (CCWS) ran its last race at Long Beach this year. The ex CCWS teams that had IRL race victories this year included Graham Rahal & Justin Wilson (both driving for Newman Haas Racing).
gmporschenut 11:44AM (11/18/2008)
F@#$ YOU ECCLESTONE! Stop ruining F1. Get a hair cut and another job you @$*#*$%(($%(%($($($($((@#$#@*&^^!#$*@&! !!!!
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revvo 12:09PM (11/18/2008)
Usually, this would be modded down, but I second that comment.
They all look at short term changes. The history behind the Canadian GP on the Gilles Villeneuve track is unforgettable, and that wall "Le Mur du Quebec" has been smashed by so many drivers. Oh, how I will miss this.
Oh well, if this is how they see the F1 then screw them, but there's no way I'm tuning into Nascar, I'm not that desperate yet.
mancini 9:00AM (11/18/2008)
This is too bad. I had plans to drive up to Montreal next year to see this. I have never been to an F1 race yet and now I have to fly halfway around the world to see one. I think Bernie has pissed alot of people off in North America with his senile antics. I am certain F1 will come back to North America at some point. May not be until Bernie gets the boot. Hopefully sooner than later.
Guess I will stick with going to ALMS races.
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Dasupersprint 9:13AM (11/18/2008)
This was the best weekend of the year in Montréal. I'll sure miss it, but I think they'll find something else, I hope for ALMS, at least it's a REAL SPORT.
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Cypher09 11:16AM (11/18/2008)
12hrs at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve sounds like a better idea then an F1 race any way. And that's coming from a guys that has been driving up to Montreal for the GP for the past 7 years.
Peter 9:14AM (11/18/2008)
It's incredible that our entire HEMISPHERE has 1 race (Brazil). With Argentina gone several years ago, Indy gone, and now Montreal, Bernie is making it really tough to be a true F1 fan.
I am also one the thousands that did the pilgrimage up to Montreal. I agree with JK, Mancini, etc. in that ALMS will be my next race to visit in person. If Montreal hosts ALMS, I will be there. Next years GT2 group will be AWESOME with BMW and Corvettes in the fray to challenge Ferrari 430s and Porsche 911s.
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alfa88 9:25AM (11/18/2008)
I can not believe the manufactures are allowing this to pass. They need a North American Race! The race in Montreal is one of the most fun weekends ever. I was going to be returning for my 5th year this year.
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Noidor 9:28AM (11/18/2008)
Bernie is trying to keep the rules same for all the countries (i.e. Russia controlling rising gas prices for Ukraine to bring them up to market levels). Unfortunately F1 is peaking and I think in 2010 it will be a dismal year in terms of revenue and attendance. Only TV numbers should be decent, but that's hardly enough (drop in the F1 bucket)
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wslcrew 2:50PM (11/18/2008)
Can't agree with you more. With economy in shambles, I think a lot of corporate sponsors, billionare investors and governments of developing nations will pull out of F1 sponsorship next season. Similar thing is already happening in NASCAR where many corporate sponsors have stopped renewing their advertising deals. http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8800550/NASCAR-is-about-to-face-some-tough-times
Franz 9:27AM (11/18/2008)
F*ck Bernie.
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Jeff 9:31AM (11/18/2008)
I don't know anything about FIA/F1 politics.... but I do know Bernie has a stupid haircut!
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Hugh G 9:33AM (11/18/2008)
Its amazing that a guy like Bernie does not go bankrupt. What a tool.
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