For those stung most severely by the loss of Montreal’s biggest revenue-generating annual event this summer, they’ll believe the Canadian Grand Prix is returning when they see it.
For the first time since he pulled the extremely popular race from the Formula One schedule due to a dispute over financial terms with its organizers, Bernie Ecclestone, the head of F1, says it’s coming back to Montreal.
“In 2010, we will return to Canada,” Ecclestone said. “I know everyone in Formula One loves this Grand Prix.”
Ecclestone said he never wanted to leave Montreal. He also ruled out a return to Indianapolis, which was dropped in 2007, and said he would like to add races in South Korea and India. The Star
But, although a formal agreement has yet to be reached, Ecclestone says he expects the deal to go through.
“We have an in-principle agreement of how we’re going to make the race happen,” he said.
However, there is some confusion about the deal as Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay’s spokesman, Darren Becker, has suggested that they are still unhappy with the price quoted. SkySports
Of course, the city is keen to host the race again after it was left off the 2009 schedule because of a disagreement over hosting fees—“but not at any price,” spokesperson Darren Becker said.
Becker said the last offer presented by representatives of the municipal, provincial and federal governments still stands—a five-year term worth $100 million.
At least it’s clear now that Ecclestone, F1’s commercial-rights holder, wants the deal to happen, which puts local negotiators in the driver’s seat.
Ecclestone’s renewed enthusiasm for Canada is not a total surprise, given the pressure he has been under from major automakers that compete in F1. North America represents a key market for the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota. Ottawa Citizen
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