German Car Zone

I agree, IMO this year hasn't been really that interesting, I've only watched something like 5 GPs. Next year? Probably even less...

I guess I'll be watching DTM, LMS and ALMS...

Agreed.

F1 is total BS now. Ever since the incident at Indianapolis with michelin back in 2005, then in 2007 with Bridgestone being the sole tyre supplier and the FIA espionage controversy and now this.
I'd wish Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association didn't sign the MoU back in 2006
and started their own.

Edit: and the standardised engines for 2010

Montreal officials to meet with Ecclestone

Government officials from Montreal will fly to London today for a meeting with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone in an attempt to save next season's Canadian Grand Prix.

The round was dropped from the 2009 calendar earlier this month under claims that it had not paid between $10 and $20 million of its contractual obligations in the last two years.
Bosses of the race denied that they had defaulted on payments, but admitted there was a commercial disagreement over the fee for the 2008 race and signalled their intention to hold negotiations to reinstate the race.

Ecclestone last week told autosport.com that he doubted the event would return to the schedule, but Montreal's mayor, Gerald Tremblay, and two senior cabinet ministers will meet with him this week in an attempt to change his mind.

The Quebec government is willing to offer its help to the race organisers because the event is believed to be worth around $75 million to the local economy at the beginning of the summer season.
"If we are able to reasonably and responsibly save this event, we will do it," the Quebec minister for economic development Raymond Bachand told the Montreal Gazette.

"The grand prix is a big event, it's the biggest tourism event, but how much does it bring in concretely, not only in spin-offs but in cash in our pockets as citizens, as taxpayers?
"I'm going to negotiate with Mr Ecclestone, so we will keep our cards to ourselves."
Two long-standing Formula One events have now been dropped from the calendar this month, with the French GP also removed for financial reasons.
Montreal's absence would make 2009 the first season since 1950 that the world championship would not have a round in North America.

Montreal mayor upbeat about a 2009 F1 but details remain scarce

THE CANADIAN PRESS



MONTREAL - Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay reiterated upon his return to Canada on Thursday he is confident the Canadian Grand Prix will be held in Montreal next year.

“We had a very good meeting with (F1 boss) Bernie Ecclestone and I think the signs were encouraging and it is possible we will hold a Grand Prix in Montreal in 2009 and subsequent years,” Tremblay said.

“We have a better understanding of the issues and the challenges we are facing.”

Tremblay was not alone in trying to persuade Ecclestone to restore the Montreal race to the F1 calendar. He was accompanied at the two-hour meeting in London by federal International Trade Minister Michael Fortier and Quebec Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand.

Bachand ruled out the event posting a deficit and suggested that Montreal hotels and merchants should become involved in making sure the race is held.

“We must find a promoter, someone to run the event,” Bachand told reporters at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

Fortier said finding a promoter was one of the primary issues in ensuring a Canadian GP in 2009.

“If the F1 survives, who will be the promoter, the organizer?” he said.

“That’s the question.”

None of the three politicians wanted to specify how much money needs to be put up to ensure the race goes ahead, although Bachand said a number of businesses have expressed interest in helping support a 2009 Canadian GP.

According to some sources, a promoter would need to spend up to $30 million a year over five years to keep the F1 in Montreal. The race generates $15 million in net revenue annually, so governments and business would have to make up the $15 million shortfall.

“We must come up with a responsible financial project that makes sense to Mr. Ecclestone and to Montrealers,” said Bachand.

F1 dropped the Canadian GP from its 2009 calendar, replacing it with a race in Abu Dhabi.

Ecclestone says Montreal has not paid its debts to Formula One for the last three years.

But Tremblay, Fortier and Bachand say the amounts for 2006 and 2007 have been addressed, with the dispute tied to what is owed for 2008.

The event generates an estimated $100 million per year in revenues and economic spinoffs for Montreal.

Several local businesses have offered cash to make the event happen. There are also rumblings that Cirque du soleil founder Guy Laliberte, who is friends with Ecclestone, could provide some financial assistance for Montreal organizers.

But a Cirque spokeswoman denies the founder has offered to support Montreal’s F1 financially.

“The only role that Guy is playing has been as a consultant, that’s all,” said Rene-Claude Menard in a telephone interview.

“Right now, we’re just keeping a close eye on any subsequent developments.”

Fortier also said Laliberte is not involved for now.

“Many people have offered to help but they are all part of the elements we would need to evaluate in the coming days to determine if the Grand Prix will survive and who will be the promoter and organizer,” Fortier said.

Bachand admits that the ball is now in Montreal’s court.

Nonetheless, “it takes two to tango,” he said.

“We still have to sit down for more discussions.”

Canada blames Ecclestone for axe



Canadian officials blamed the 'unreasonable demands' of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone for the failure of attempts to save the country's grand prix.
The officials had hoped to persuade the Briton to reinstate the race in Montreal after it was axed from the calendar, leaving North America without a grand prix for the first time in 50 years.
Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay, who said last month after meeting Ecclestone that he was hopeful a deal could be done, recognised that the talks had come to nothing.
"Despite our endeavours and those of the business community, the unreasonable demands of Formula One exceeded the taxpayer's ability to pay," he said.
The statement said Ecclestone had made a final contract offer on October 28 demanding that an eventual promoter put up a government or bank guarantee of some $175 million over the next five years.
It said no private promoter was willing to take on such a level of risk, considering the limited revenue generated by the event.
Quebec economic development minister Raymond Bachand said officials had worked hard in recent weeks to save the race "while staying fiscally responsible.
"We cannot meet Mr. Ecclestone's unworkable demands," he added. "Unless he eases his requirements and adopts a different approach, there will be no Grand Prix in Montreal in 2009.
Canadian public works minister Christian Paradis said the race was a loss for all Canadians but Ecclestone had made 'unrealistic demands'.
"As I recently said; 'yes to a Grand Prix, but not at any price,'" he added.
Canadian organisers denied last month that they had defaulted on payments owed to Ecclestone for past hosting rights, while recognising a 'commercial disagreement' over the 2008 race.
The decision to drop Canada, with the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis already cancelled this year, has dismayed Formula One teams by cutting off a prime market for their manufacturer owners and sponsors.
Eurosport

Is there anyone that could take Bernie's place soon???
How about Max and Charlie?

I want Canada back and two races in the US, one East coast one West minimum.