13/08/2009
NEWS STORY
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Following days (weeks.. months) of rumour and counter-rumour, Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay claims that a deal is close to being done which will see F1 return to Canada, though not necessarily the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
"There are still certain commitments which have been made that have to be refined," he told reporters today, subsequently admitting that both Quebec and Ottawa are bidding against his city to secure a race.
"Right now, we're trying to finalize this agreement in the best interests of Montreal," he added. "We want Montreal to regain its status as one of the biggest Grand Prix races in the world."
While the Montreal event has long been popular with fans and drivers, consistently producing one of the more memorable events on the calendar, as ever there have been behind the scenes arguments over money. Consequently, this year, for the first time in 22 years, Canada is missing from the F1 calendar, leaving North America without a race for the first time since 1958.
While money will still be a problem for promoters, be it Montreal, Quebec or Ottawa, Bernie Ecclestone is under pressure from the manufacturers to take F1 back across the Atlantic.