Canada on 2010 F1 calendar | Formula 1 returns to Montreal

Canada back on 2010 F1 calendar

September 14, 2009 at 7:45 pm by Keith Collantine

60 comments

The 2010 F1 calendar will include a Canadian Grand Prix

The Canadian Grand Prix will return to the F1 calendar in 2010 after being missing from the 2009 schedule.

Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will host the 41st world championship round in Canada.

It has held a race at the track every year since 1978 except for 1987 – due to a sponsorship dispute – and 2009.

This is great news for F1 and the hundreds of thousands of fans who pack into the Montreal circuit for the Grand Prix.

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.

As well as being a great venue for the race, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve brings an interesting mix of challenges that often provides exciting races. It’s very hard on brakes, and drivers know they risk contact with the barriers if they make the slightest mistake.

Montreal was left off the 2009 calendar amid claims the promoter had failed to pay money owned to FOM. When the race was dropped one minister said:

Unless [Bernie Ecclestone] eases his requirements and adopts a different approach, there will be no Grand Prix in Montreal in 2009.

It’s not known yet whether Ecclestone did drop his price, or whether some new arrangement has been struck. However the previous promoter Norman Legault has stepped down from his role.

The last two races at the circuit were dramatic affairs. Robert Kubica incredibly escaped injury in a violent crash in 2007. Lewis Hamilton scored his maiden win that day, and Kubica did the same 12 months later.

But Hamilton infamously retired from the last race after running into Kimi Raikkonen in the pit lane. During the build-up to that race there were worries about the integrity of the track surface, which broke up during qualifying.

The first world championship Canadian Grand Prix was held at Mosport in 1967 and won by Jack Brabham. It’s great to see a historic venue returning to the F1 calendar, back where it belongs, and I’ll be surprised if anyone has a bad word to say about the news in the comments.

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60 comments on Canada back on 2010 F1 calendar

Jess said on 14th September 2009, 22:21

That is nice, I dont see a F1 in the USA anytime soon. This Goverment (any) will never float a bill. Just for fun I would like to see the F1 at the road course at Daytona. Will never happen. Can you see them on the highbanks. Just a fun thought.

- DC said on 15th September 2009, 5:50
  
  I think the banking is too high. The FIA rules allow Indy and Monza banking, but no steeper, I believe.
  
  - Ned Flanders said on 15th September 2009, 14:56
    
    I certainly don’t think the FIA allows the banking at Monza anymore…
    
Sébastien F said on 14th September 2009, 23:55

The track has been resurfaced with Shell Bitumen last June
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R0DiWliC0I
Heres how the track looked 2 weeks ago

Raceaddict said on 15th September 2009, 0:18

That is one fine circuit. The metro takes you from your hotel directly into the track compound. Also the turn one stand is super giving you a view all the way up pit lane, SF line, the whole turn one, and up the following straightaway.

manatcna said on 15th September 2009, 0:48

Do race promoters or track owners ever make any money?

- Leaf said on 15th September 2009, 0:57
  
  Never….Bernie would never allow it. :-)
  
Hammad said on 15th September 2009, 3:06

Time to start saving up :)

wasiF1 said on 15th September 2009, 3:55

No BAD WORD,Delight.

Jay Menon said on 15th September 2009, 3:57

Great news!

Could this mean Jacques might have a way back into a race seat next year? Seats are up for grabs and he just might pull the much needed sponsorship the track requires!!

Canuck said on 15th September 2009, 4:23

Never been to an F1 race, but with one coming back to Canada next year, I might just get to see my first one. Really glad that Ecclestone and the track organizers were able to work something out.

Lutz said on 15th September 2009, 4:27

Update on the Renault Scandal:

http://tazio.uol.com.br/f-1/textos/13554/

It states that Nelson Jr. says that Alonso should be aware of the “crash deal” as he was starting 15th on a street circuit with little fuel and he would certainly know this to be a bad strategy.

It also says that Bernie Ecclestone has told the press that Nelson Jr told him he would do everything to ruin Briatore.

- IDR said on 15th September 2009, 6:44
  
  It states that Nelson Jr. says that Alonso should be aware of the “crash deal”
  
  I think this has been said by NP Sr, not Jr. In fact I think NP Jr has confirmed Alonso didn’t know anything
  
GeeMac said on 15th September 2009, 7:27

Great to see Canada back on the calendar. I’d much rather have a race in Montreal that attracts large crowds than a race in some obscure place, at another dull Tilke designed track.

Let’s hope the track manages to stay together for the whole weekend.

Steph90 said on 15th September 2009, 12:38

This report just out.

The return to the F1 calendar of the Canadian grand prix in 2010 is still not assured, politicians in Montreal insist.
“Our negotiations with Ecclestone are going well, the negotiations are actually over, but we haven’t signed anything yet but we’re very confident,” he is quoted as saying by Canadian media.

Looks like it’s back anyway though :D

Brian said on 15th September 2009, 15:29

I live on the Ontario and Quebec border and am about an hour and a half from the track! Time to get out the old credit card.
I have to get a new digital camera as well. Make sure i can get some pics of all those pretty grid girls and cars of course.

F1inMTL said on 15th September 2009, 23:37

Went from 2000 to 2003, going back in ’10! WooHoo!!

We should definitely arrange a get together. For those that have been to Montreal during GP week, you know what’s its like. We can party it up big time!

As date gets closer, lets start talking about a meetup!

Vic

dj said on 16th September 2009, 19:02

……Normand Legault, president and CEO of Grand Prix F1 du Canada Inc., said:

“I am very happy, and fully satisfied, with this outcome. I have always been confident of being able to resolve the dispute.”….Normand walks away with a cool Ten million

dj said on 16th September 2009, 20:22

Montreal Grand Prix promoter Normand Legault has sorted out his “commercial disagreement” with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

That should pave the way for the GP to return as early as next season, a boon for overpriced restaurants and hotels all over Montreal. Legault won’t be involved in the new race, says La Presse, we’re told it will likely be put on by a non-profit corporation run by the three levels of government, who will doubtless be kicking in the millions Ecclestone requires in order to bring his circuit to these shores.

Either way, it’s a rare ‘W’ for embattled Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay, who is embroiled in a knife fight of an election with rival Louise Harel”. Don’t like that all levels had to contribute tax dollars. (not enough details so won’t get into it)