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Home : Top Stories : Canadian Grand Prix dropped from 2009 calendar

Canadian Grand Prix dropped from 2009 calendar

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CTV News Video

CTV News: Genevieve Beauchemin on the loss
CTV Montreal: Correspondents on the cancellation and the city's reaction

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Oct. 7 2008 1:48 PM ET

The Canadian Grand Prix, which is held annually in Montreal, has been removed from the 2009 Formula One calendar.

The race, which was first held in Canada in 1967, takes place every summer in Montreal, generating tens of millions in revenue for the city.

"This brings in roughly $75 to $80 million dollars," CTV Montreal's Cindy Sherwin said Tuesday, adding that many business owners were worried.

The decision marks the first time the Canadian Grand Prix won't be on the schedule since 1987, when local organizers and the F1 had a dispute over sponsorship.

According to the F1 calendar, Turkey's GP will be moved from August to June 7, the date usually reserved for the Montreal event.

To ensure there are still 18 races around the globe, the inaugural Abu Dhabi GP has been added to the list.

The Montreal race was reportedly cancelled after contractual problems developed between Circuit Gilles Villeneuve officials and commercial rights holder F1 management, reports The Canadian Press.

Officials with the Grand Prix of Canada (GPC) said Tuesday they were informed of the decision through the media.

The GPC's Rosalie Wolkowicz told CTV.ca that no comment will be issued until the organization speaks with Formula One Management (FOM) and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

Pierre Houde, a sports announcer for RDS, said he was shocked to learn about Montreal's removal from the calendar.

"Frankly, I don't see any valid reason for the federation to make such a drastic move as we've seen today," Houde told CTV Montreal.

The Montreal race was almost dropped in 2004 because of an impending federal ban on tobacco advertising.

Under the terms of the deal, the ten F1 teams that relied on tobacco sponsorship received up to $2 million to race unbranded cars in Montreal.

With the 2009 cancellation, North America will be without a Formula One race for the first time in 43 years.

The U.S. GP was axed from the F1 schedule last year.

The 2009 Formula One calendar is as follows:

  • March 29 - Australia
  • April 5 - Malaysia
  • April 19 - Bahrain
  • May 10 - Spain (Barcelona)
  • May 24 - Monaco
  • June 7- Turkey
  • June 21- Britain
  • June 28 - France
  • July 12 - Germany
  • July 26 - Hungary
  • August 23 - Spain (Valencia)
  • August 30 - Belgium
  • September 13 - Italy
  • September 27 - Singapore
  • October 11- Japan
  • October 18 - China
  • November 1- Brazil
  • November 15 - Abu Dhabi

With files from The Canadian Press

Please Add Comments( )

MTL GP rules!
said
0 0

Considering it was one of the most watched sporting events in the world after only things like the superbowl, I can't understand why they're doing this.
I'm sure they could improve the track so as to not have the problems they had this year, but cancelling the race alltogether? Gotta love those old-school out-of-touch racing bosses!


Gary
said
0 0

What a shame..If I was a Montrealer I would be screaming bloody murder and telling F1 where to go in the future..Hope some day there is a permanent home for Nascar in Canada & let the Euro's keep their F1

NJ


Ryan
said
0 0

This is total BS.


dcp
said
0 0

No surprise - F1 is interested in Europe and Asia. The US is a non-starter for them, so Canada suffers.


Bruna (F1 Fan)
said
0 0

What disappointing news for Canada. This is a big loss for our country. This event increased tourism and was great world exposure for our country especially since we were the only remaining race in North America. Hopefully the Canadian Grand Prix will be reconsidered for the 2009 calendar and the future.


Scott in Montreal
said
0 0

Well that's just great - the absolute best party weekend to get my friends out here from the West Coast, now ruined! It's all about the infrastructure - which is crumbling. First class event with third class facilities. Taber$*#k!


RS
said
0 0

Montreal needs a baseball team!


Scotty T
said
0 0

If I were a Montrealer (and I was, until several months ago) I would not be telling F1 where to go. I'd be asking my local government why they've done nothing to address the horrible state of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The track conditions have drawn the ire of F1 drivers for years. The Canadian Grand Prix was a huge source of revenue for Montreal, yet the city has made no serious attempt to show F1 that they care about this race.


Saeed in Montreal
said
0 0

This is so disappointing! :(
Cant Montreal do something to get the race back?!


John
said
0 0

Who cares...


Bram
said
0 0

Is Bernie looking for another $30M from the Canadian government? This is a shame that there will No F1 in Canada, after some many years. This being is the best track location (within the city of Montreal)and in Canada.


us the little people
said
0 0

What a disaster,They take away our Nordics.The kill our Expo by putting them in the worst location in the city. Now they take away the only Premiere event Montreal has. How long you think you can get away with not fixing the track!!! Now all Canadians have to pay the price because of bad management of such a glamorous event .

Montreal is loosing 350 million in 3 days because of this horrible decision.

Sell our Montreal Canadians will your at it ...

I'm so ashamed that our government does nothing to prevent such disasters.




Dennis
said
0 0

John: The montreal economy cares..


Hogpilot
said
0 0

Who cares about F1 anyway? Boring races, very little passing, no action. Nascar rules!!!


Ricky Bobby
said
0 0

Just another thing that the city of Montreal can't hang onto. They were waiting for the F1 series to fix their own track instead of fixing the problem themself's. Sorry no handout.
Hopefully you can hang onto your hockey team.


Mike K in Montreal
said
0 0

This is also very bad news for bus and limo companies, i own a bus company here in Montreal, and for everyone in the business Grand Prix weekend was like Christmas, everybody got a fair bit of business. In our city where tourism is starting to be quiet for various reasons, we could always count on Grand Prix weekend,but i guess not anymore, so thanks guys!


brian
said
0 0

people are going to loose there jobs, this city is going into the abyss on the world stage. I blame Tremblay. What a hack.


Alan
said
0 0

Does anyone know who to email to complain about this?


Ian from N.B.
said
0 0

Nooo!
This is awful, I saw my first F1 race this year and it was absolutely epic! I was planning on going again, why Bernie WHY?! ...



Dan from ottawa
said
0 0

this crappy but its a wake up call to montrealers and to the quebec government. Start improving the infrastructure, the track has a reputation for being crappy - fix it and youll get the race back $$$$$ and on a side note quebec roads are shitty all together - its like driving in the USA


josh
said
0 0

Montreal restricts racing on the circuit at two weekends every summer, so something else will take it's place. The only bad thing about this, is that a F1 race was bringing worldwide audience and other racing won't.


Clive
said
0 0

This is a sad day for all those who go and watch this event. ...and F1 will always rule.


Steve in Fredericton
said
0 0

OK Mr. Duceppe. Here's your chance to do more than just bash Conservative policies. You claim to be the only one who can speak on behalf of Quebec interests at the federal level... I know, I know; somehow this is all the government's fault and we're going to hear about it for the next 10 years (all the while, you actually do nothing to help the situation).


uzach
said
0 0

I Totally agree with Scotty T.
since years there is a complain of the track quality (not only the track).
But also about the broadcasting like TSN. TSN shows Poker and / or Eggball (American Fottball) instead of F1, I believe it was the German GP this year, where TSN did this. This have nothing to do with Euro's or Asians... but they show mre interest in this sport.


Steve (ex-Montrealer)
said
0 0

I bet if you ask the teams & drivers, Montreal would never lose a place on the calendar. I haven't missed seeing the race in Montreal for 12 years. Hopefully something will be done, the calendar is never final until Nov. 1 of each year.


Josef S
said
0 0

You think MTL/QC is going to do something about the circuit's condition when they can't even properly take care of the public roads? It's seriously ashame though, I had a nice view of the festivities on Crescent from my office.


Moe
said
0 0

why? what is the reason given behind this decision? please any body!!


Marius from Gatineau
said
0 0

The Montreal cancellation is not just because of track conditions but yet another example of the Bernie Ecclestone strategy of holding GP races in countries allowing cigarette advertising and sponsorship to be seen on TV. Plus, Bernie's FOCA insists on new facilities yet invests no money into them while raking the money from advertising on worldwide broadcasts. Bernie is not a billionaire for nothing. Quite the racket.


Jackie Barrett
said
0 0

...If we want to vent our frustrations on Formula One and World Motor Sport Council, then either ... start a boycott against Formula One or write to the World Motor Sport Council


F1 Fan
said
0 0

Not really surprising,

With the infrastructure issues and poor track conditions. You add to that the fact that there is Biiig! demand for F1 races around the world.

With the US race out, it is not really cost effective to come to Canada to stage a race.

As well, what does Canada truly contribute to F1, other than fan support and a not so great race venue?

There are no Canadian drivers, no Canadian teams or manufacturers, no big Canadian sponsors!!

There is a definite shift in F1 from it being largely Euro-centric to a Euro-Asia series.

Some of the Asian tracks are very modern.

Too bad, but not surprising.



Chris - St. Lambert
said
0 0

Racing cars in a circle, over and over. Lots of noise, pollution and spilled beer. I find it hard to get too worked up about the loss.


dave in Downtown Newington
said
0 0

Got dragged reluctantly to the race in Toronto many years back,buddy's G/F could not attend.
At the time I wasn't really interested but went with him figuring he had splashed out big bucks for the tickets.....
WOW!
What an afternoon,the girls,the smell of hi-octane,the noise,the girls,the excitement of the crowd,the action in the pits,the girls,the adrenalin,(did I mention the girls!)
One of the most memorable days in my life and now I live close to Montreal I was gonna get tickets and have my buddy down for a few days from TO.
Pity!


glenn
said
0 0

maybe Ottawa will consider getting the race moved here?

Lord knows we cain't keep baseball :)


John
said
0 0

Simply put, there wasn't enough interest in North America for any Government to put money into the Race.

Montreal would probably make more money if they could talk Nascar into coming to Montreal.


Greg - signs and wonders
said
0 0

Duceppe won't do anything. It's Montreal, and english speaking territory. Likely he's never even been to Montreal.


norm vachon
said
0 0

Now is the time to wake up. Montreal has the nascar nationwide race. It's time to join the big time make some improvements and bring in a sprint cup race. F1 is for wimps. Bring on the big boys of nascar.


JC
said
0 0

This demonstrates how important Canada is on the world stage.


Joel in Kamloops BC
said
0 0

This is a bit of a shocker.

The track needs major work, and the pit facilities need some work, but North America is a big, big market for the manufacturers, and the Montreal race is a perennial international fan and driver favorite. Fans and drivers are of course the pawns in sports...

There is no North American race next year. Think about that... Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault all sell vehicles under one brand or another in North America. F1 costs all of them a minimum of 100 million a year, and most of them more. F1 is supposed to be the top level of racing, and there is no exposure to the most materialistic nations in the world?

The manufacturers are going to FREAK.

In the meantime, the Montreal track really needs upgrades.

The plus side is that I no longer have to feel bad about not getting up at 4:30am to watch a racing series that thinks so little of North America, that they can't even bother to schedule a race.

If you look at the countries that have races, there seems to be no justification. Turkey has a race. Turkey? Spain has TWO races. France has a very dull race. The Middle East has two races. China has a race.

It all comes down to money and who will pay Bernie Ecclestone the most.


Female F1 Fan
said
0 0

I am truly sad to see the end of F1 in Canada and especially in Montreal (I'm in Toronto).

While I believe infrastructure is a major problem (those of us who watched the race this year were in horror about the awful track conditions!) sponsorship is equally a problem.

I find it hard to believe that with all the European Canadians in Canada and in Montreal, that there is little or no interest in F1 Racing. I believe at one time the same was said for football (soccer)?

Chris - St Lambert, you hanging out with Hogpilot? I think you just described NASCAR and not F1 racing.


wilsonbrucea
said
0 0

To John:

NASCAR has been to the track twice in the past two years with the Busch and now Nationwide Series. This year's race in the rain was interesting


Walter
said
0 0

It's ok, we still have our comedy fest. jazz fest. the international fire works contest, hockey, CFL. football soon to be inter national soccer.We can breath easy come June. TY Bernieeeeee go polute some other city.. its too bad for our neighbours to the south the won't be able to come to Montreal to smoke their Cuban cigars, such they won't be able to come anyway, because they are in a financial crunch. Oh and Nascar good luck..


Marc Coquitlam B.C.
said
0 0

This is to please the European viewing audiences. Asia and Australia race at night for afternoon races in Europe. If they didn't cancel Montreal GP then they would have asked them to run at 6 in the morning for European afternoon viewing. F1 is business and makes business decisions. This is one of them.


Nathan
said
0 0

I agree with John:

Currently NASCAR has had a recent success in Montreal with their second-tier Nation Wide series. Americans follow the first-tier Sprint Cup series in their RVs from town to town and would come in droves for an annual Sprint Cup weekend in Montreal. Not to mention the Canadian cult following NASCAR has.


Dave in Surrey
said
0 0

Not one single North American race this year, wow...

I know I won't be watching any F1 races this year...


Ottawa gal
said
0 0

I think this happening is truly a real shame. - too bad oil companies didnt step in when tobacco companies had to pull out their sponsorship, and they could have brought money into it to help fix up the track. (Let's face it they need to do some good deeds to clean up their image. They are hosing us, they may as well give some back. ) To the negativity towards Montreal I am seeing about this - Stop bashing Montreal. It is a beautiful city, an international attraction just like certain other anglo cities. Tourist money helps us all at the end of the day. I think this happening is truly a real shame.


Robert
said
0 0

This is a sad day. The grand prix weekend for myself (and many others I am sure) has been a source of get-together with friends for over 20 years. This weekend for many like myself is not so much about the race, but the chance to get together with old friends, kick back with a giant hot-dog and beer and shoot the shit as if there wasn't a care in the world.

With life's busy schedules, this was one event where all Montreals seemed to have the time to participate. Whether is was a walk on crescent during the festivities or downing a cold one in the early summer days while watching those cars go by, everyone seemed to have a smile....

Losing this event is like losing a little piece of who we are as Montrealers.

It is a sad day,.


GR Davis
said
0 0

With the appauling state of the race track (especially last year), i'm not surprised. F1 is not a sport which is well received in North America, and last year's appauling display of a crumbling mess of a track might have been the final nail in the coffin for the Cdn GP. What a shame.


Raj
said
0 0

There is a grand prix in Edmonton. I heard it on TV.
Also, many drivers have grumbled about poor road/driving conditions.


Rick
said
0 0

Not surprising seeing how the condition of the roads in Quebec are anyways. Keep the race in Canada by giving it to a city that actually cares about its place on the world stage these days...Toronto or Vancouver.


David #1
said
0 0

It's nice to see that communist China is on the list. Well I'm sure they can afford to be since you've all been complicite (Walmart shoppers)in helping their "Made in China" economy grow a nice chunk of the middle-class that you "used" to be part of before they shipped your job overseas.


Barry
said
0 0

Money makes the world go round the world go round This is what it's all about.


Ian Ottawa
said
0 0

Is that the sound of an F1 Race Car??? No its Montreal whining again. Stop thinking you deserve things just because you are Quebec'ers. You lost the chance so live with it the last thing Quebec needs is more street racers. The cars in Quebec don't use signal lights just like the F1's so the fast driver's are there just not the fee's to watch them.


momo
said
0 0

what a disaster, F1 in montreal is one of the best event. such a shame that everything i counted by how much the bosses would make. what else does the gouvernment want to eliminate out of the year calender. maybe all the festivals soon ??????!!!!!!


JAMES
said
0 0

Maybe if Liberals get in power again they can spend our tax dollars again to bring race back.

Our hard earned dollar used to sponsor billion dollar industry!


Stevie
said
0 0

hey ya think I'd be able to run a go-kart league in place of the F1? Maybe the whole country will come out to watch!
LOL!


Mike from Canmore
said
0 0

Three comments about the Montreal F1 race.

# 1, who cares?
# 2, who cares?
# 3, who cares?

Any other questions?
Didn't think so.

Next issue please!!!



F1 Rules
said
0 0

I have attended the race since 1988, but you could see the writing was on the wall...The track has been sub-standard for the last few years with the ashphalt pulling up, under the intense cornering of these incredible machines. Maybe they could get some money from the gouging of the race fans, to help pay for the repairs!! It's pretty sad when a normal Days Inn hotel room regularly $129 per night cost $360 per night with a minimum 3 night stay. I am using this as an excuse to travel to Europe, where the real fans are, for considerably less, to see an F1 event. Sorry Montreal you had your chance and you blew it. Hey Hogpilot, Nascar is for Hillbillies,and the races are a demolition derby on an oval!! You need to see a real racing machine!!


Peter Whitby
said
0 0

It's all about dirty money, how many millions of Turkish $$$ go into Bernie & Max's back pockets. Legit countries that don't play the game lose, look at the crap going on trying to keep the British GP alive. The Max and Bernie have destroyed F1 over the last few years. Hopefully the maufactures tell the FIA to pound salt and start their own series, or wait till these two old boys croak and see who takes over. Luckily we have real racing with ALMS and its run by people who care about the fan and the environment.


Rocky
said
0 0

Canada should forget F1 and just worry about getting an NFL team in Toronto! Forget CFL or F1!!
LETS BRING A REAL LEAGUE TO CANADA. BRING AN NFL TEAM PERMANENTLY TO TORONTO!!


FrankCanadian
said
0 0

Where did this race start in 1967 in Canada?
I remember standing on Mount Royal late summer in 1979 and hearing the racket on St. Helen's Island. That was the first F1 race in Mtl.
And, as I recall, that was the first F1 in Canada.
The track was built specially to accommodate the race and later named for Villenueve after his untimely death.



Angelo Di Renzo
said
0 0

Mike from Canmore if you don't care, stop reading :)
To those who keep saying F1 racing is about going around in circles you are describing Nascar who drive left their entire life.
F1 is the most prestige of racing sports. You can't say the same about Nascar.
This was a horrible decision and it's so sad to see the Montreal Race go


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