Quebec premier Jean Charest has joined organizers of the Canadian Grand Prix in wanting to know why the Montreal Formula 1 race has been taken off the 2009 calendar.

The more I think about this, the more angry I get. Not just for myself as a fan, but for the government and people of Canada who invested so much time, money and effort to make the races successful in the years past.

To have it dropped from the schedule apparently without so much as a phone call to the Canadian officials is not only rude, but bad business. The article states there was a contract through 2011. If that is the case, I hope the Canadian officials take F1 for all it can in this blatant breech of contract!

I wont go as far as boycotting F1 sponsors...not yet. I'll hold out hope that they were just as blind sided by this as we all are.

It's simple. Too expensive to rationalize coming to North America without a race in the US. One race isn't worth the expense I guess. This reall sucks.

cletuscat - 08 October 2008 11:57 AM

I hope the Canadian officials take F1 for all it can in this blatant breech of contract!

100Mil Sounds good to me!!

It is understandable that the F1 circus is having problems justifying the financial outlay for one North American race since Indy was dropped. Perhaps premier Charest should give Tony George a call to (beg) see if the IRL would be interested in racing in Montreal on Sunday, June 14. Too bad June 7 is already on the IRL schedule at Texas but the following weekend is open. You know, it could happen; it's all about the money. I'm sure race fans would be very happy seeing the IndyCars on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve while at the same time #### a snook at Bernie and his F1 heels. Oh yeah, good luck going after F1 for breech of contract. Get back to me on that, OK.

f355law - 08 October 2008 12:01 PM

It's simple. Too expensive to rationalize coming to North America without a race in the US. One race isn't worth the expense I guess. This reall sucks.

I doubt that this is the case: simply look at the cost associated with going to Brazil or Australia for just one race. The Canadian GP was always extremely popular and a repeat sell-out, which hasn't been the case with the Melbourne race in recent years. I will agree that this was clearly in poor taste and hopefully the organizers can file suit for breech of contract by the FIA.

I really don't understand the recent decisions by the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone. Having a F1 team is an expensive proposition and a good portion of team funding must come from car sales, many of which are generated from the US/Canadian marketplace for the big car manufacturers present in modern-day F1. I wonder how the big players, such as Toyota, BMW, Mercedes and Honda feel about this slighting?

This ABSOLUTELY SUCKS!!! So much for Bernie wanting to expand F1 into the USA and CANADA!!! It sucks even more because now NASCAR will be are only premier racing events here, WHAT A SAD DAY!! No offense to all the NASCAR fans!!

While it's disappointing it's not the end of the world. The best seat at the race for the most part is the TV anyways. I would love to see an F1 event in person but I am not heartbroken or betrayed like some seem to be. Racing is a business like any other. Look at any big company...most of the jobs are overseas, and why? To save money or make more money. I love F1 and will still continue to watch as a fan regardless if they are racing in Canada, the US or wherever.

i hope somebody take's bernie on in a lawsuit. he's gotten far to big and powerful. needs to be taken down a notch. a contract with 3 years to run... you would see a lawsuit if it was the other way around. bernie would have his hand out right now. money tends to dull the memory eehhhh bernie..???

I hope that the organizers as well as the provincial government sue F-1 as well as bernie ecolstone's group for the anticipated lost revenue and consequential damages for the next 3 contracted years in a north americain court. They can chase F-1 in the EU

Hey if A1 GP can swing it, why not invite yje to do The replacement for Formula 1. Also have them come down to indy to replace the loss of formula 1 US GP. Considering andretti green is running the USA team now I think it would be great. Who needs nernie. He was better as a team owner needs the