Return of the Prix: F1 confirmed back in Canada for 2010
Felipe Massa passes the casino on Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
It's only been a year, but it's been a long one for Formula One fans in North America. Last year Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA canceled the Canadian Grand Prix – a regular fixture of the F1 calendar and the only stop the circus makes in North America – when race organizers and local governments rejected demands for increased fees. Negotiations failed to bring the race back, but following purported pressure from the remaining manufacturers in the series and renewed contact with officials on the ground, the race has been confirmed to return for next season.
According to previous reports, Ecclestone's demand of $175 million to secure the race for several years was reduced to just $75 million, a price which supporting parties are apparently willing and able to pay in order to bring the grand prix back to the Gilles Villeneuve circuit.
[Source: Autosport | Image: Paul Gilham/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sam 7:01PM (9/16/2009)
yes!
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John P. 7:03PM (9/16/2009)
Great News!
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Franz 7:09PM (9/16/2009)
So basically Bernie was overcharging them by $100 Mil then... glad Canada's back. ;)
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Throwback 8:17AM (9/17/2009)
exactly. The guy is a greedy bastard.
Commander Cool 7:14PM (9/16/2009)
Awesome news! Now if only we can get a USGP back as well!
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jim 8:35AM (9/17/2009)
At Watkin's Glen
Kevin 1:17PM (9/17/2009)
After watching the Nascar race at the Glen this summer, I'm not sure it's such a good idea for F1 to go back there. As narrow as parts of that track are for stock cars, if you get an F1 car going significantly faster wrecking at the same spot things are going to get ugly. Now Road Atlanta... :)
HotRodzNKustoms 7:27PM (9/16/2009)
How much of that is profit? They must be making a unholy profit on each race.
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hyundaifans.com 7:31PM (9/16/2009)
Searching for cheap flights and hotel now!! Yeah!!
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ToroQ3000 7:55PM (9/16/2009)
I'm gonna start saving up now!!!
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jbrumsey 8:18PM (9/16/2009)
Any word on a date for this?
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VWsat 8:02AM (9/17/2009)
It's typically the 1st or 2nd weekend in June, just before St. Jean Baptiste Day.
For any of you that haven't been, you can bring your wife/girlfriend as Montreal makes a weekend of the event. As expected, there are entire roads downtown blocked off for automaker displays (Jaguar, Ferrari, etc...) as well as enthousiasts to show off their cars. However almost equal space is given for fashion shows, retail, art and other exhibitions.
They may have reconsidered the Montreal event due to this: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/06/16/f1-leaving-britain-would-be-madness/
"F1 crowds have been very poor at several races this year – particularly Turkey. But the Canadian race can be relied upon to be sold to capacity even when the local fans don’t have a home driver to cheer on"
wskillman 8:59PM (9/16/2009)
Bernie finally makes an intelligent decision.
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fmwso 9:15PM (9/16/2009)
Awesome news for us, North Americans who love F1
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Guy 9:27PM (9/16/2009)
and awesome news for us, Montrealers who like to party
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Mike 9:39PM (9/16/2009)
..and awesome news for us Torontonians who like to party with those sexy 18 year old Montrealers!
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PuBeLeSs 9:54PM (9/16/2009)
im from Florida your my kinda people :-D
larry a 10:05PM (9/16/2009)
When I went to the Montreal GP in 2006, I and the rest of the group I was with could not believe how beautiful all the women were in Montreal! I really wanted to move there lol. With that said I'm happy to hear it's coming back!
Steve 11:01PM (9/16/2009)
The women in Montreal really are beautiful, I was floored the first time I went up there.
cancuno (formerly Mike) 11:06PM (9/16/2009)
TONS of hotness on Crescent St. during the 2007 GP. I have to return in 2010!