Canada - Formula One

Ecclestone ends Canadian hopes for 2009 Grand Prix

Monday 17 November 2008

Canadian officials blamed the 'unreasonable demands' of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone after last-ditch talks to reinstate Montreal's Grand Prix next year ended in failure.

LONDON - Canadian officals blamed the 'unreasonable demands' of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday 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 in a statement on the city's website (www.ville.montreal.qc.ca).

The statement said Ecclestone had made a final contract offer on Oct. 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 U.S. 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.