FIA once again proves what a trash organisation it is. 2009 Canadian GP cancelled.

[EJ25RUN]

Let it be understood that besides this effectiavally leaving Brazil as the only GP in the western hemisphere, the Canadian GP has a 30 year history and was the only real chance for Americans to attend an F1 GP. The news was dropped today as F1 sees it as a necessary measure for cost cutting. This goes after the F1 teams agreed that the return of a U.S. GP is in their best interests.

Now i understand that money is the number 1 factor that drives F1 nowadays but by definition, a "WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP" that doesn't visit north America and instead sells out to a bunch of Government sponsored circuits is crossing the line in my eyes. San Marino Imola is already gone and the list of proper circuits that test the drivers skill are dropping faster and faster being replaced by flat cookie cutter shapes in the middle of an arabian desert. Yes, "World Championship"....says the FIA.


F1.com

On Tuesday Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, released an amended calendar for the 2009 world championship. A provisional schedule was issued in June.

The revised calendar sees the Turkish Grand Prix changing from its original August slot to a June date, while the Canadian race has been dropped. In another revision, the Italian and Belgian races have swapped positions, with the Spa event now taking place on August 30, a fortnight before the Italian Grand Prix on September 13.

The 18-race championship will reach its finale in mid November with the inaugural Abu Dhabi race.

2009 FIA Formula One World Championship:
29 March Australia
5 April Malaysia
19 April Bahrain
10 May Spain
24 May Monaco
7 June Turkey
21 June Great Britain
28 June France
12 July Germany
26 July Hungary
23 August Europe (Valencia)
30 August Belgium
13 September Italy
27 September Singapore
11 October Japan
18 October China
1 November Brazil
15 November Abu Dhabi

[Elbow]

Wow......

[SampaGuy]

I read it was because of safety reasons rather than financial?


But anyways you cant blame the FIA if the american motorsport fans prefer to watch nascar or drag racing...

[blacknightteg]

it was definetly not because of lack of interest in the united states. it more then likely all stemmed from that one year were only like under 10 cars raced at the race. manufactures want to come here.

[Echonova]

a "WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP" that doesn't visit north America and instead sells out to a bunch of Government sponsored circuits is crossing the line in my eyes.Don't we have a "WORLD SERIES" in baseball? :D

[BKgen®]

Yeah i got an email about this. Fawking LAME. I guess this is part of the transition back to a possible American GP at Indy. Who knows -- I've given up on trying to understand FIA's methods.

[EJ25RUN]

I read it was because of safety reasons rather than financial?


But anyways you cant blame the FIA if the american motorsport fans prefer to watch nascar or drag racing...

American fans prefer anything that is of world caliber status. That is why the INDY Motogp sold out a couple of weeks ago. And yes, i can blame the FIA for a number of things but Bernie Ecclestone is responsible as well. He is the one that pulls the trigger on the biggest decisions. The Indy F1 GP was canceled not because there was a lack of support from fans but because Bernie and Tony George couldn't figure out that money should come second to bringing a GP to the states. Since then, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Toyota, and others have petitioned a return to the U.S. because that is the biggest market for their cars in the world and they can't advertise there. So 2010 is the likely return. No after rereading how i worded my op, you might misconstrue that i meant Canada was canceled because the U.S. GP is likely to return but that is not the case. It is just the F1 taking away the single race that brings the most action every year. (Last 3 Canadian GP, the final qualifier finished in the points).

About American's only liking Nascar/Drag racing. This is soo far from the truth because drag racing is in the same boat as road racing is. The NHRA continuously loses major sponsors to Nascar. There are many road racing fans and if you were to read articles from respected publications you will see that they agree that the media blocks out too much road racing. F1 and Motogp appear on standard TV only a couple of times a year. But if you look at Speedtv, Fox's original plan was to cancel everything that didn't relate to Nascar. But it still remains from loyal people like you and most that will read this post do get up early in the morning or stay up till 1:00AM because we just don't miss GP races.


it was definetly not because of lack of interest in the united states. it more then likely all stemmed from that one year were only like under 10 cars raced at the race. manufactures want to come here.

That year was down to Michelin bringing the wrong compound to the track and the teams felt it was too dangerous to run. Oh and it was actually 6 cars (Ferrari, Jordan, Minardi). Worst race i ever had to see. And the problem was solved for 2006 and 2007. Again, 2008 failed to come together because Tony and Bernie couldn't agree on money. That final turn could be reworked though.

[EJ25RUN]

Don't we have a "WORLD SERIES" in baseball? :D

I never understood that.....wouldn't best team from U.S. playing best team from Japan make more sense? I mean i know the term came around in 1904 i think but still. Terrible name and needs to be changed to Not World Series.

[RWD164]

I hate Bernie Ecclestone. Fvck him, I hope his dog gets run over by a bus. He has been manupulating F1 for so long that it is not about racing anymore. Personally, I thought the Indy F1 race was a farce, but there should be something in North America. Maybe a NEW track, Holy **** what a novel concept. All of the longevity rules (Motors must last 3 Races, grooved tires, all V8 engines) completely take the fun out of F1. I remember when teams would install qualifying engines and change back before the race. Also, that Park Firme, where you can't alter the cars after qualifying, fvck that too. Takes all the strategy and head games out of it. fvck the FIA and fvck F1 (until Bernie Dies). Just my little rant...

[SampaGuy]

American fans prefer anything that is of world caliber status. That is why the INDY Motogp sold out a couple of weeks ago. And yes, i can blame the FIA for a number of things but Bernie Ecclestone is responsible as well. He is the one that pulls the trigger on the biggest decisions. The Indy F1 GP was canceled not because there was a lack of support from fans but because Bernie and Tony George couldn't figure out that money should come second to bringing a GP to the states. Since then, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Toyota, and others have petitioned a return to the U.S. because that is the biggest market for their cars in the world and they can't advertise there. So 2010 is the likely return. No after rereading how i worded my op, you might misconstrue that i meant Canada was canceled because the U.S. GP is likely to return but that is not the case. It is just the F1 taking away the single race that brings the most action every year. (Last 3 Canadian GP, the final qualifier finished in the points).

About American's only liking Nascar/Drag racing. This is soo far from the truth because drag racing is in the same boat as road racing is. The NHRA continuously loses major sponsors to Nascar. There are many road racing fans and if you were to read articles from respected publications you will see that they agree that the media blocks out too much road racing. F1 and Motogp appear on standard TV only a couple of times a year. But if you look at Speedtv, Fox's original plan was to cancel everything that didn't relate to Nascar. But it still remains from loyal people like you and most that will read this post do get up early in the morning or stay up till 1:00AM because we just don't miss GP races.



Dont get me wrong, I know what you mean, I woke up early to watch races for a long time and of course I know there are roadracing fans. But you have to admit that something is wrong when the richest country in the world, where almost 100% of households have not one but multiple TV sets, and like you said the biggest car market, gets their GP cancelled because of money (im talking about the USGP here not canada).

I hope to see the USGP back soon! Personally though, Ive never liked Indy as an F1 track. Of course the oval has a long history and all but the infield road course thing doesnt really have any character imo. Watkins Glen was great back when Mario was racing but I dont think it has the infrastructure to support a F1 race today. If there was something more exciting, like a street race in NYC or Miami, or even Hawaii lol, the europeans would love it!

[EJ25RUN]

Dont get me wrong, I know what you mean, I woke up early to watch races for a long time and of course I know there are roadracing fans. But you have to admit that something is wrong when the richest country in the world, where almost 100% of households have not one but multiple TV sets, and like you said the biggest car market, gets their GP cancelled because of money (im talking about the USGP here not canada).

I hope to see the USGP back soon! Personally though, Ive never liked Indy as an F1 track. Of course the oval has a long history and all but the infield road course thing doesnt really have any character imo. Watkins Glen was great back when Mario was racing but I dont think it has the infrastructure to support a F1 race today. If there was something more exciting, like a street race in NYC or Miami, or even Hawaii lol, the europeans would love it!

Not a fan of rovals myself. Our best chance for a proper F1 circuit might be the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Good point you bring up about the money not being in this country when it obviously is. A strong factor to consider is determined people to keep it here. Many of the latest GP like Bahrian and Abu Dahbi are govt funded. We will never have that and we shouldn't. F1 should stay out of govt matters. I blame it to organization and Bernie's desire to get the highest dollar for every race.

[BKgen®]

I agree totally about Indianapolis' infield course lacking character. One can only hope that the FIA will look somewhere else besides Indy.... Road America, Laguna Seca, hell even Road Atlanta -- There are PLENTY of other great road tracks over here in the US.

[SampaGuy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7657298.stm

[EJ25RUN]

F1 is a bit ridiculous when you know what 2 cars will win but it hasn't ruined the show so much in recent years.

Not on something else....I do believe that the British motoring press is the most biased toward themselves. Even more than Italians. I saw an article where Lewis Hamilton was ranked in the top 20 of the greatest ever drivers; even ahead of world champions and Sterling Moss was the greatest ever driver. I for one don't get how Moss can go ahead of Fangio on any rank.

This was funny.
Max "over....ahhh?.....what i got up to"

[chituntang]

I was pretty disappointed as I was going to go and watch a live F1 before I head back to Hong Kong after school. I totally understand the budget cut as to the more competitive for other teams (even though it stayed the same, but hey, we have 5 teams winning races this year!!!)

One of the biggest problems is that the big tracks are the ones that is always losing money. You are worrying about how many races you have during the year, how many people will come and watch the race, the maintenance of the track, etc. It is a business, which is all about money. Same thing goes to FIA. They are not going to say it is about money, but the fact is:

This is all about money.

[BKgen®]

update: It might still have a chance...


Three key officials are travelling to London to meet with Formula One Management (FOM) CEO Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday.

According to the Montreal Gazette the Mayor of Montreal, Gerald Tremblay, along with Quebec Minister for Economic Development Raymond Bachand and Federal Minister of International Trade Michael Fortier are to fly later today for key talks with Ecclestone regarding the axed Canadian Grand Prix.

While exact figures remain the subject of speculation, it is believed that the organisers of the event owe in the region of $10m to FOM and that is the reason behind the decision to remove the race from the 2009 calendar when the World Motor Sport Council met in early October.

The Montreal Gazette reports that the government is willing to 'bail out' the race organisers should it make economic sense to try and bring the F1 circus back to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The French FFSA recently announced that they no longer have the resources to host the French Grand Prix at Magny Cours next season meaning that at the moment, there are just 17 rounds to the 2009 championship.

Bachand would not be drawn into the details of the meeting but said he would be happy to speak with the media afterwards, adding that he intends to try 'responsibly' to save the event.

"We'll be meeting Mr. Ecclestone on Thursday to see how much he wants this Grand Prix to be held," Bachand said. "If the conditions are financially responsible, we'll save this event. If they're totally unreasonable, we're in trouble."

Meanwhile Guy Laliberte, founder of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil and an avid F1 fan, has offered to help in bringing back Formula One to the classic circuit.