Canadian GP could be saved, says Montreal mayor

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone met Thursday with officials in talks about possibly reinstating the Canadian Grand Prix, already dropped from F1's planned 2009 programme.

Ecclestone spoke with Canadian international trade minister Michael Fortier, Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay and Quebec provincial economic development minister Raymond Bachand.

Tremblay, who said losing the race would be an enormous blow to his city because it generates 60 million dollars in tourist income, termed the meeting positive but the race is neither on the schedule or without hope.

"We have a better understanding of the issues," Tremblay said. "We still have a lot of work to do, to evaluate all the options, but it is still possible to hold the grand prix in Montreal in 2009 and in subsequent years."

Ecclestone has said organizers of the race owed him money from the past three years, while race officials say the dispute regards only money obligations from last June's event.