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Old 3 Oct 2016, 20:47 (Ref:3677087)   #176
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Looking at an overhead shot of the track, there doesn't seem to be a lot of a lot of room for manoeuvre.
That's true. As the photo below shows, the rowing basin from the 1976 Olympics is right behind the paddocks.

Currently I think the team areas that are in between the garages and the water are temporary structures that sit partly on docks that float on the water. I think the plan would be to replace those temporary structures with permanent ones.

I'm not sure how they would fit the new buildings into the available space but I'm sure that for the right amount of money some architects and contractors could design and build something better than what's there now.

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Old 4 Nov 2016, 00:54 (Ref:3685188)   #177
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After today's news that Montreal native Lance Stroll will be driving for Williams in 2017, The promoter of the Canadian GP publicly expressed his hope that this news will benefit the race by boosting ticket sales. But I don't know exactly what Dumontier must do to have the "provisional" label removed from the 2017 race.

Montreal's Lance Stroll officially named driver for Williams F1 team
Kevin Mio, Montreal Gazette
More from Kevin Mio, Montreal Gazette
Published on: November 3, 2016

...The promoter of the Canadian Grand Prix, François Dumontier, issued a statement shortly after the news broke.

“I am delighted that Lance Stroll is reaching Formula 1 and I wish him all manner of success,” Dumontier said. “He is an earnest and industrious young man who has come up through the racing ranks to realize his dream and compete in Formula 1.

“It is interesting to note that this same Williams team also gave Jacques Villeneuve his first F1 drive and was his employer when he became World Champion. And this team is now doing the same with Lance. Williams has always had a special relationship with Montreal and the Canadian Grand Prix since Alan Jones won his and the team’s first drivers’ World Championship right here in 1980.”

Dumontier spoke of Stroll and other young Canadian racers this year, saying at the time it would be great for the Montreal race to have some local talent.

“Lance Stroll will begin his Formula 1 career during the year when we will be celebrating 50 years of Formula 1 in Canada, so his arrival may be seen as a wonderful anniversary present for the most important sporting event in the country,” Dumontier said Thursday.

This year, Stroll answered some questions from the Montreal Gazette ahead of the 2016 Canadian Grand Prix.
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Old 4 Nov 2016, 02:06 (Ref:3685206)   #178
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If you really want to know what's going on in Montreal, you have to read the francophone press. It often covers stories that the anglophone press either isn't aware of or doesn't care much about.

So seeking a definitive explanation of why the 2017 Canadian GP is listed as "provisional" on the calendar, I dug up a few articles in the Journal de Montreal. This one is by columnist Réjean Tremblay, who is somone who usually knows the real story behind the news.

Coderre veut-il la peau de Dumontier?
Réjean Tremblay
Jeudi, 27 octobre 2016

La situation du Grand Prix du Canada est devenue un incroyable micmac. La seule certitude dans le dossier, c’est que B’wana Be’nie célébrera ses 86 ans Ã* minuit et une ce soir. Et Lance Stroll ses 18 ans samedi.

I don't have time to do a full translation, but here are the key points of the article:

There is an incredible political intrigue that currently surrounds the GP.

Montreal mayor Denis Coderre (who is somewhat popular in Montreal but is also a real blowhard) wants to remove François Dumontier from the position of promoter of the race (Dumontier has been in charge of the race for about 10 years).

Coderre wants to install the well known event promotion/ticketing company known as evenko as the race promoter. The reason that Coderre wants a new promoter is not clear but there appears to be some personal animosity between Coderre and Dumontier.

Bernie and Dumontier have agreed in principle to sign a new 15-year contract for the race. The contract stipulates that Dumontier will be the promoter of the race. Coderre has refused to sign the contract.

The mayor needs to sign because the city of Montreal provides part of the government subsidy for the race. The city is also responsible for funding the cost of the proposed renovations to the track facilities (paddocks, med. facility & race control tower).

Coderre has publicly insisted that the 2017 race will take place. The mayor says that he is in regular contact with Bernie. However the mayor has not spoken with Dumontier since June 2015.

The city of Montreal has not fulfilled its obligation under the current contract (signed in 2014) to begin the renovations of the track right after the end of the 2016 race. The estimated cost of the renovations was originally about $32M. Now it's up to $50M...and counting.

Coderre has tried to blame Dumontier for the increase in the estimated cost, but the real reason seems to be requirements of the FIA and city regulations.

Dumontier has his own problems. He has delayed payments to some event service and supply firms by a period of several months and then made some payments only with help from Bernie.

While the future of the F1 race remained in doubt, the mayor rushed into a deal with Formula E starting next summer (to be contested on city streets and not at the Circuit GV). Of course the mayor singed evenko as the promoter for Formula E.

Dumontier is counting on Bernie [note to Dumontier; don't trust Bernie] and the new owners of F1 to support him in this conflict. Dumontier was in Austin and he returned feeling reassured that he has their support as promoter.

The columnist mentions a couple former Montreal F1 promoters who got screwed by Bernie, including Normand Legault, Dumontier's predecessor as promoter.

Time is running out and there needs to be a compromise between Coderre and Dumontier. Coderre needs to sign the amended contract. The FIA meets Nov. 30 to finalize the 2017 schedule.
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Old 4 Nov 2016, 03:15 (Ref:3685235)   #179
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...Time is running out ...
The FIA meets Nov. 30 to finalize the 2017 schedule.
The situation described in that article does not sound very promising.
BTW, as the article points out, evenko is the promoter of the Montreal Formula E weekend that is supposed to happen on the last weekend of July 2017 on a downtown street circuit. Coderre had been trying to get a Formula E race for Montreal since at least May of last year, almost as though he wanted to ensure there would still be some kind of race in the city in anticipation of the possibility of F1 not returning.

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Old 4 Nov 2016, 14:14 (Ref:3685317)   #180
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If we were to lose Canada it would really do F1 no credit, these places are why we still love F1
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Old 4 Nov 2016, 17:52 (Ref:3685350)   #181
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If F1 loses Montreal, I hope IndyCar picks it up. The series needs another race in Canada.
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Old 6 Nov 2016, 11:26 (Ref:3685921)   #182
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If F1 loses Montreal, I hope IndyCar picks it up. The series needs another race in Canada.
I agree. In fact, it would be awesome if Montreal could host both series but F1's fee might be too expensive for that.
Yet, if Montreal went with IndyCar for a few years, it might be easier for them to fund the track upgrades that F1 requires because such a move would give them more time, after which they could make an F1 comeback with a renewed circuit.
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Old 6 Nov 2016, 12:31 (Ref:3685933)   #183
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According to the promoter, there will now definitely be a GP next year, which is a relief
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Old 6 Nov 2016, 16:38 (Ref:3685988)   #184
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According to the promoter, there will now definitely be a GP next year, which is a relief
Any sources to confirm that?
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Old 6 Nov 2016, 16:56 (Ref:3685993)   #185
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Any sources to confirm that?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126984
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Old 6 Nov 2016, 17:20 (Ref:3685997)   #186
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If F1 loses Montreal, I hope IndyCar picks it up. The series needs another race in Canada.
Indycar and WEC double header. That'd be fun.
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Old 9 Nov 2016, 14:54 (Ref:3686764)   #187
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According to the promoter, there will now definitely be a GP next year, which is a relief
That's just optimistic talk by Dumontier, the promoter. There is still a Mexican Standoff among Mayor Coderre, Promoter Dumontier and Bwana Bernie. The future of the race is still very much in doubt.


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Old 15 Nov 2016, 21:45 (Ref:3688357)   #188
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According to Louis Butcher, columnist for Le Journal de Montreal, the mayor of Montreal and Bernie are close to agreeing on a 1-year deal for Montreal. Negotiations for a long-term deal based on a new timetable for doing the renovations would continue in 2017.

It's good to know that there should be a race next year, but the long term future of the Montreal race remains in doubt. Bernie wants a guarantee that the renovations will get done and he doesn't really care who pays for them or how; the mayor wants to get rid of the promoter before he agrees for the city to pay for the renovations; and the promoter wants to keep his job and ensure the long term future of the race.

Mayor Coderre wants to get rid of the promoter, Dumontier, because Coderre feels that Dumontier deceived him about the escalating cost of the proposed renovations.

Bernie Ecclestone se fait rassurant

Among the three races threatened next year in F1, Montreal appears the least vulnerable, according to Bernie Ecclestone.

At least that is what the boss of the F1 indicated to a colleague of the site Motorsport.com in the paddocks of Interlagos, site of the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend.

"I think the matter seems to be settling in Canada, not without pain, though," Ecclestone said...


Here are three good reasons the race must be saved:


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Old 23 Nov 2016, 07:52 (Ref:3690434)   #189
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The Canadian GP is now definite for 2017, I wonder what the situation is in the longer term?

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ca...r-2017-852879/
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Old 23 Nov 2016, 17:10 (Ref:3690557)   #190
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We can now breathe again for the moment
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Old 27 Nov 2016, 03:54 (Ref:3691305)   #191
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The Canadian GP is now definite for 2017, I wonder what the situation is in the longer term?
I was glad to hear this news about 2017. However the future of the race after 2017 is still in doubt. As I described in several previous posts, there is a long term contract in place. It requires the city to make some significant improvements to the track infrastructure, but the city has not fulfilled its obligation.

The city agreed to do the track renovations without knowing how it would pay for them (the current cost estimate is about CDN $45-50M while the original estimate was about CDN $32M).

The mayor is mad at the promoter (Francois Dumontier) because he thinks the promoter misled him about the cost. He wants to get rid of Dumontier and replace him with a large Montreal event promotion company that he favors.

So one more year is definite but after that no one really knows. In sum, a typical F1 story in the Age of Bernie.
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Old 27 Nov 2016, 13:12 (Ref:3691379)   #192
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What renovations are needed? More air conditioned VIP, leather seated, serving champange and canape areas?
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Old 24 Jan 2017, 02:54 (Ref:3704635)   #193
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The Quebec (francophone) sports TV channel RDS reported a week ago that Montreal Mayor Coderre says that there is now a verbal agreement to resolve the impasse surrounding track renovations and the extension of the race contract.

According to Coderre a deal will be signed soon for the city to pay $48M CDN to rebuild the paddocks and make other improvements by 2019. In return F1 will extend the current contract to 2019.

I'm happy to see some positive news about the future of the race. I want to believe what Coderre says but I will wait for confirmation from F1 officials and other news sources until I celebrate. But for now, the Montreal F1 Babes are smiling and I am planning my 13th trip (since 2000) to the race in June.


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Old 1 Mar 2017, 02:52 (Ref:3715421)   #194
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Though there has still been no official word from the city and the promoter, an article in the French-language La Presse today had some good news from race promoter François Dumontier. He confirmed that there is a contract in place to make the renovations and keep the race until 2029. Here is a Google translation of the article with tweaking by me for clarity.

The Grand Prix of Canada will be presented in Montreal until 2029, confirmed the promoter of the event, François Dumontier, on Tuesday.
lapresse.ca
Feb. 28, 2017

Passing through the paddocks of the circuit of Catalunya while witnessing the first official laps of the Quebec driver Lance Stroll in Formula 1, Dumontier revealed that he had prepared some modifications to the 10-year agreement previously signed in 2014 with Formula One Management (FOM). "We have made amendments to our agreements over the past few months, but I can assure you that the matter is settled, that our contracts are signed with FOM and now we can look to the future. We had a contract until 2024, and it was amended so that we could go until 2029. All the contractual hassles are now behind us. "

Last June, Former F1 manager Bernie Ecclestone put in doubt the continuation of the Canadian Grand Prix since the modernization of the garages, the control tower and the circuit's medical facility had not been started [as previously agreed].

The Mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, announced on Tuesday morning, during an interview on Radio-Canada, that the extension of the pact until 2029 was a sine qua non [essential] condition for the construction of the project.

"It was important for me, because if we wanted to do the paddocks for 2019, then we had to make sure we had the race for the medium or long term," he said.

The new F1 paddocks will ultimately cost $18 million CDN more than expected, nearly $48 million CDN, confirmed the City of Montreal in a document released in December. These excess costs will be absorbed by the Government of Quebec, according to what the City of Montreal said at the time.

Then, in January, Mayor Coderre indicated that the City of Montreal and F1 would extend the agreement that binds them beyond 2024, taking care to specify that the only thing left to do is to put the deal on paper and sign it.

The new facilities, which originally had been scheduled to be delivered in 2017, are now expected to be completed in 2019.

Dumontier also took the opportunity to discuss his meeting with Liberty Media, which purchased F1 for US $ 4.4 billion in January.

"The meeting was positive, their vision of the future is interesting, explained Dumontier. It's a bit of music to our ears. But we have to give them time, because these people are in a very pronounced learning curve. (...) That being said, they seem to have an openness to discuss and work with promoters.

"Previously, there was little dialogue between promoters," he added. We are 20 promoters, and we talked little, but I feel it will change with the arrival of Liberty Media. There will be better collaboration between us, let's say. "

Dumontier also admitted to having talked a few times with Ecclestone, "but only on a friendly basis".

"The Stroll effect"

On the other hand, the founder of Octane Management said he was still looking for a major sponsor for the Canadian Grand Prix. However, he implied that the arrival of Stroll in F1 could enable him to make a breakthrough on this front.

"The appeal will become stronger," he explained. It is also our 50th anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of the winning of the world championship byJacques Villeneuve. The future is now assured. But this is a constantly evolving issue. We want to find the right one (sponsor), but I am not giving myself any deadline in this matter. "

According to Dumontier, he feels there is a "Stroll effect" at the ticket office of the Canadian Grand Prix.

"We feel it, and the season has not even begun," he said, with a smile on his face. People are talking about him (Stroll), about F1, so we already foresee a marked increase in the sale of tickets. We were even forced to add a section to the stands, just last week, because of the high demand. "

Dumontier added that he looks forward to welcoming BobHWS back to the race this year (for the 13th time) and seeing the photos of this year's famous Montreal F1 Babes (I made up the last sentence ).

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Old 24 May 2017, 19:52 (Ref:3735739)   #195
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The francophone tabloid of Montreal, Le Journal de Montreal published an article today about the upcoming GP du Canada, the new contract and the planned renovations to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The main point of the article is that Montreal Mayor Coderre and Promoter Francois Dumontier have reconciled their differences and made peace. So at least for now, the future of the Montreal race is assured until 2019.

However, as the article points out, the governmental bodies (mainly the city and the province of Quebec) that will fund the almost-$50M CDN renovation project still need to sign a formal agreement to do so. Hopefully everything gets signed soon.

Here is a translation (basic translation by Google, tweaks and edits by me).

The Grand Prize for Reconciliation
Coderre and Dumontier have made peace; F1 is in Montreal to stay
LOUIS BUTCHER
Lejournaldemontreal.com
Wednesday, May 24, 2017


The embrace was more than symbolic. It seemed cordial between [Promoter] François Dumontier and [Mayor] Denis Coderre.

The scene, captured Tuesday in a press conference, thus puts an end to months of division anduncertainty, not only concerning the future of the Grand Prix of Canada, but also about the relationship between its promoter and the Mayor of Montreal. From the outset, Coderre even conveyed his congratulations to the man he even avoided identifying by name in recent months.

"Bravo François and continued success with the Grand Prix," he exclaimed. It is a unifying event and everyone is now working hand in hand. I salute Francois and his team for their hard work. This reconciliation sends a clear message. "

Renovation cost on the rise

The famous disagreement with the promoter that Coderre complained about last year was related to the construction cost (to be paid by the city of Montreal) which has been revised upward a few times since the first estimate.

The mayor did not like the fact that the initial estimate could no longer be respected. With good reason.

But Mr. Dumontier made clear to him that he was not responsible for this prodigious leap from CDN $ 32 to $ 48 million required to improve the infrastructure at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

"This dispute concerned the construction project, said the mayor, it cost more than expected. But hey, it's settled.

"My conception of life is like a car. That's why the windscreen is bigger than the rear-view mirrors. We must look forward. We have been watching our blind spot and everything is going well ... "

These renovations were essential to confirm the extension of the contract that will ensure the survival of the great F1 circus until 2029.

"The plan for the renovations and the demands of the FIA and the authorities of F1 (FOM) have changed," said Mr. Dumontier. Nothing could be done. "
However, Mr. Coderre did not want to elaborate on the much-anticipated press briefing that will formalize the extension of this agreement, in the presence, presumably, of all the parties involved in the agreement and the representatives of the governmental levels concerned.

"It will take place in due course," said the mayor. We are refining the announcement [and probably the final administrative details ...]. "
It could take place during the first day of activities on the track, on Friday 9 June, to take advantage of the presence of the hundreds of journalists assigned to the coverage of F1. As was done in 2014 to announce the renewal of the initial ten-year contract before it is extended by another five years.

Fifty years, it's a celebration!

This press conference, which took place at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, kicked off the festivities surrounding the 50th anniversary of the arrival of F1 in the country.

On August 17, 1967, the Mosport circuit was the scene of the first Canadian Grand Prix.

An array of free events, organized during the week of the GP, will allow Montreal, like never before, to vibrate to the rhythm of F1.

The Grand Prix of Canada team is putting its finishing touches on the “50th Park,” which will be located at Dorchester Square, north of René-Lévesque Boulevard, between Peel and Metcalfe Streets.

"This is the first time that our organization has offered free and accessible activities in downtown Montreal," said Mr. Dumontier.

The official opening will take place on Wednesday, June 7 at 5:30 pm, in the presence of the Quebec driver Lance Stroll and the Frenchman Romain Grosjean.

The mayor of Montreal, in plain language, lamented the lack of involvement of the promoter outside the track.

"I'm glad we're talking about promotional activities," added Mr. Coderre, other than the four days at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. The idea is to get the full potential of the event. There are things that are moving. You have to create a buzz. "

Mayor Coderre also welcomes the arrival of the new owners of the F1 which will give a second wind to this event.

"Whether we like him or not, Bernie Ecclestone launched the sport. He created an empire. But this wind of renewal will be good for F1. The people of Liberty Media understand the importance of pleasing the crowd. It's not just about money and the promotion of sport.

"We want to make a happening, that’s what would really please me."
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So today, the F1 Babes of Montreal are smiling.


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Old 25 May 2017, 12:21 (Ref:3735932)   #196
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The main point of the article is that Montreal Mayor Coderre and Promoter Francois Dumontier have reconciled their differences and made peace. So at least for now, the future of the Montreal race is assured until 2019.
Whoops, I meant to write 2029.

Though I won't feel 100% confident about the continued existence of the race until representatives of the city of Montreal (and maybe the province of Quebec) formally agree to fund the $50M in renovations. The article suggests that could happen during the upcoming race weekend. On verra.
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Old 16 Jun 2017, 18:36 (Ref:3742287)   #197
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Here are a few excerpts from an article in the Montreal Gazette about the planned upgrades and published at the start of the 2017 race weekend:

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve facilities to get $48-million upgrade by 2019
Jeff Pappone, Special to the Montreal Gazette
Published on: June 8, 2017




...plans to modernize the garage and paddock areas and make them a bit more roomy got stuck in neutral almost as soon as the 2017 completion date was announced two years ago. Along the way, the price tag for the work has jumped from around $30 million to $48 million...

“The Formula One World Championship asked for changes to that plan,” said Noémie Brière-Marquez, a spokesperson for Mayor Denis Coderre.

“The plan was therefore reworked and the budget was modified accordingly to $48 million. We anticipate that the Quebec government will assume the additional costs of $18 million.”


Former Formula One Management (FOM) boss Bernie Ecclestone insisted upon upgrades to the control tower, garages, medical centre and paddock as a condition of a 10-year extension to the Canadian Grand Prix signed in 2014...

...The paddock in Montreal is squeezed between the garage areas behind the pit lane and the Olympic rowing basin, leaving the teams and drivers little elbow room as they go about their business.

...The contract for the race itself was subsequently renegotiated, with five years tacked on to the deal, securing the Canadian Grand Prix to 2029, which included an agreement between the promoter, the city and FOM to delay the renovations by two years.

The previous deal to 2024 committed the municipal, provincial, and federal governments to pitch in a combined $187 million to host the race in Montreal — an average $18.7 million per year — plus the renovations that were to be completed by 2017...
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Old 14 Dec 2017, 22:41 (Ref:3787116)   #198
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Here is some good news about new paddocks for the Circuit GV in Montreal. Now, let's see if it really happens after all these years of controversy. If it does, then the Montreal F1 Babes will be smiling for at least 10 more years.




Renovation of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve paddocks - A modern and multi-purpose infrastructure for the 2019 edition of the Canadian Grand Prix
NEWS PROVIDED BY
SOCIETE DU PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU
December 14, 2017

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 14, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société du parc Jean-Drapeau (SPJD) unveiled at a press conference today the final concept of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve paddocks renovation project. The major project, which entails the construction of a new, modern and multi-purpose building, will have a $48 million budget, $30 million of which will come from the City of Montréal and $18 million from the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Occupation du territoire (MAMOT)...

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Old 15 Dec 2017, 12:23 (Ref:3787226)   #199
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Quite right, not many places better than Montreal
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Old 15 Dec 2017, 13:10 (Ref:3787242)   #200
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So the Canadian taxpayer funds the VIP areas? Yep, sounds about right for F1.
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