10/05/2012
NEWS STORY
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Bernie Ecclestone has called on Canadian Grand Prix organisers to carry out improvements to the Montreal track or risk losing their round of the world championship.
With two years of the current contract remaining the F1 supremo has warned that unless there is a major redevelopment, especially to the pit and paddock area, the contract will not be renewed. In 2009 the event, one of the most popular on the calendar and always able to produce some good racing, was dropped in a row over money.
Talking to La Presse, which claims that the work will cost in the region of $15m, promoter Francois Dumontier was keen to play down talk of the race being dropped from the calendar. "It is important to point out that two years remain on the current contract," he said. "Taking into consideration that the permanent facilities of the circuit, such as the control tower and the garages, are nearly 25 years old, it is quite likely that work to be carried out on these will be an important part of the negotiations aiming at extending the current contract. Furthermore, it appears premature to mention a precise amount regarding the costs of any potential work."
With Austin joining the calendar this year, and New Jersey scheduled to host its inaugural event in 2013, F1 could be heading for a new golden era in North America, it is to be hoped that the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will continue to be part of it.