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Canadian Grand Prix May Be Back on the 2004 F1 Calendar

World Sport Council Sets Out 2004 Rules

With Canada still reeling at what seemed like the certain prospect of losing its Montreal grand prix next season, due to a ban on tobacco sponsorship, and Jacques Villeneuves contract not being renewed at BAR with few opportunities for a 2004 drive, top-tier motorsport has seen better days in the land of the frozen north.

But there may be a reprieve. In an unexpected move the FIA World Motorsport Council has set the date of June 13 aside for the Canadian event, albeit a provisional slot dependant on a satisfactory financial agreement to take care of affected teams that cant run with their regular tobacco sponsors, and therefore wont receive the respective income.

With the inclusion of Bahrain and China to the 2004 calendar, as well as the return of driver and fan favorite Spa-Franchorchamps in Belgium, the series has been extended by one to 18 events for the first time in F1 history - normally a 17 race series. In order to make way for the new races, Austria, within close proximity to Germanys Nürburgring and Hockenheim events, among others, has been axed.

Setting Canadas motorsport community in high anxiety last August, after a week of leaks, assumptions and denials, F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone announced that the Canadian race was to be canceled. Now if race officials find the money to pay the tobacco sponsored teams, possibly through Quebec Premier Jean Charest who stated Wednesday that his government may put up the funds to guarantee the June event take place, the F1 checkered flag will once again wave in Canada.

But if Charests government does provide the funding, it will not come without conditions. The Premiere stated that

In an unexpected move the FIA World Motorsport Council has set the date of June 13 aside for a Canadian grand prix event. (Photo: Canada GP)

his government would be supportive, "but on condition that the promoters present a proposition thats profitable for Quebec and its taxpayers. When they come with a proposal, we will look at it coolly and lucidly and we will take a business decision. I think it would be in the interests of everybody that a business like this be concluded over a number of years and not just for one year, otherwise the risk is that all of this will start again."

Since the radical rules changes that began during the 2003 season, interest in Formula 1 has increased in Canada (and here at home), which may help the Quebec government support the cause. Compared to last year, when Michael Schumacher and Ferrari had tied the championship up well before the series was over, 2003 came down to the final race last weekend at Suzuka in Japan. While M.S. still managed to eke out a narrow margin championship victory, the competition was stiff and racing fans enjoyed a much more entertaining season.

While the FIA may take some of the kudos for their often controversial rules changes, much of the competitiveness comes directly from the teams and drivers themselves, led by Williams/BMW, McLaren/Mercedes and Renault, having stepped up their game since last season, as well as tire manufacturer Michelin that was more often than not, much more capable come race day than rival Bridgestone.

Just the same the FIA World Sport Council has tweaked the 2004 rules in order to "improve

Quebec (Canada) Premier Jean Charest stated Wednesday that his government may put up the funds to pay the tobacco sponsored teams and guarantee the June event takes place. (Photo: Ferrari)

the show," with the major changes being that both qualifying sessions will now be run on the Saturday, leaving Fridays sessions for practice only, the order for the first session of qualifying being decided by the finishing places of the previous race, with the first race number one session qualifying being set up based on the 2003 driver standings. The second qualifying session will continue to reverse the running order of the first, attempting to mix up the grid.

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