07-Oct-08: Canadian Grand Prix Dropped from ‘09 Calendar
It’s the 7th October 2008, and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
The shock news of the day is that the FIA have confirmed the calendar for 2009, and have dropped the Canadian Grand Prix. Teams have got back the summer break that they were looking for, but we will no longer be heading to North American shores. Both the Belgian and Italian races have been shuffled by a week as well. Back to the Canadian GP, though, and organisers say that they weren’t informed of this decision ahead of time. They released a short statement that said they had only learnt of it through the media, and would therefore not be commenting until they’d spoken to the FIA and FOM. Needless to say they’re not happy.
Elsewhere today, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that they will be going back to the old lollipop pit system at this week’s Japanese Grand Prix. After many, many pit lane incidents in the last few races, Domenicali says: “We need to stay calm so we’ve decided to go back to the old system.”
That’s it for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
Carlos on Tue, 7th Oct 2008 21:03
Total BS. Clearly, F1 doesn’t care about NA, so then, why should NA care about F1? Let’s add to that that F1 doesn’t care about the fans in general, and it doesn’t care about making transparent decisions, or even fair decisions. So, again, why should anyone in NA care about F1?
Let’s not forget, one of F1’s largest competitors, the IndyCar series, is based in the US and races in Canada. And it seems, nowadays, they’re making better decisions than F1 each day. F1 shouldn’t take it’s position in NA so lightly or it’ll lose it altogether. And I’m sure the manufacturers will “love” that.
moka on Tue, 7th Oct 2008 22:22
Since 1991 I’ve been to 10 Canadian GPs. I doubt there are any GPs with more fan support. I can’t begin to tell you how p***ed off the F1 fan base in Canada is. I think we can safely say F1 is now dead in NA.
And I Would Listen to 300 More | Sidepodcast : Your Weekly F1 Podcast on Tue, 7th Oct 2008 22:40
[...] one year anniversary of F1 Minute, which by some freaky coincidence also happens to tie in with the 300th episode of the [...]
dogg64 on Wed, 8th Oct 2008 07:41
I am so angry, over the last 2 years I have come to enjoy F1, the cars, the history, the tracks and the pit babes. But now, they have cancelled the canadian GP. As an american, it seems that they don’t care about us any more or Canada for that matter. We can’t afford to pay Bernie’s outrageous prices, so he just goes where they can. I think Bernie should look at the news, the global economy isn’t in great shape. I still have Indy Car for next year, but it is NOT fORMULA 1. I still will listen to your great podcasts, but as far as getting up on weekends to watch F1, not going to happen. It is a shame that I have to give up a sport that I truly enjoy, but if Bernie & Max are not going to show us any love, then I can’t give them any in return. Peace.