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Canadian GP Missing from 2009 F1 Calendar

FIA Issue Revised GP Calendar and Canada Loses Formula 1 Race

© Kevin Guthrie

Oct 7, 2008
Track repairs at 2008 Canadian GP, Mark McArdle
The Canadian Grand Prix was notable by its absence from a revised 2009 F1 calendar. The season will end at the new Abu Dhabi circuit.

Canada Loses F1 Race

A revised 2009 Formula 1 calendar released by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) contains several changes. The most notable is the omission of the Canadian Grand Prix. A provisional calendar issued in June did include a race in Canada. The latest calendar was released following a meeting of the World Motorsports Council on Tuesday, 7th October.

History of Canadian GP

Canada has hosted a round of the Formula 1 World Championship since 1967. Initially, the race was held at either Mosport or Mont Tremblant, before switching to the Ile Notre-Dame circuit in Montreal. The first Grand Prix there, in 1978, was memorable for being the race in which local hero Gilles Villeneuve scored his maiden victory. Following Villeneuve’s death in 1982 the circuit was renamed in his honour.

Since 1967 Canada has only once failed to host a Grand Prix. The race was not held in 1987 due to sponsorship problems. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is renowned as one of the most demanding on the calendar. In recent years it has produced some great racing, along with enormous accidents for Olivier Panis in 1997 and Robert Kubica in 2007. In 1995 the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve was the scene of Jean Alesi’s only Formula 1 victory, when the Frenchman triumphed in a Ferrari.

Other Changes to 2009 F1 calendar

The Canadian Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place on June 7th, 2009, but that date has instead been given to the Turkish race. A month long summer break has been created, giving the Formula 1 teams some welcome respite in a gruelling 18-race season.

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps has also been moved to an earlier date. It will now take place one week after the Valencia street race. This move also has the effect of creating a two week gap between the Belgian Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix. The only new venue for 2009 is the Abu Dhabi street circuit. It will play host to the final Grand Prix of the season.

Revised 2009 F1 Calendar

  1. Australian GP (29th March)
  2. Malaysian GP (5th April)
  3. Bahrain GP (19th April)
  4. Spanish GP (10th May)
  5. Monaco GP (24th May)
  6. Turkish GP (7th June)
  7. British GP (21st June)
  8. French GP (28th June)
  9. German GP (12th July)
  10. Hungarian GP (26th July)
  11. European GP (23rd August)
  12. Belgian GP (30th August)
  13. Italian GP (3rd September)
  14. Singapore GP (27th September)
  15. Japanese GP (11th October)
  16. Chinese GP (18th October)
  17. Brazilian GP (1st November)
  18. Abu Dhabi GP (15th November)

The FIA have not yet offered an explanation as to why Canada has been dropped but it will be greatly missed by many fans. The race did have its problems in 2008 when parts of the track surface broke up, necessitating hasty repairs to be made.


The copyright of the article Canadian GP Missing from 2009 F1 Calendar in Formula 1 is owned by Kevin Guthrie. Permission to republish Canadian GP Missing from 2009 F1 Calendar in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Track repairs at 2008 Canadian GP, Mark McArdle
        


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