- 13 Aug 09, 13:18#142770
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
F1live:
The price tag for taking Formula One back to Canada has plummeted by $100m for a new five-year deal, according to local reports.
Last year, negotiations with the Montreal race organisers ended when Bernie Ecclestone's demands for a $175m five-year agreement were unanimously turned down by the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.
Now, after the F1 chief executive said talks are back on track to restore the Canadian round at the famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for 2010, the national Globe and Mail reported that the proposed new deal is for just $75m for five years.
The newspaper said Ecclestone's hand was forced due to the economic recession which lowered revenue expectations, but also suggested that the recent signing of the amended Concorde Agreement - which renewed the sporting and commercial considerations of F1 until 2012 - contributed to the matter as "it is thought the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) pushed hard for a return to Canada."
Following the Concorde Agreement renewal, FOTA had indicated its focus was now on "racing at the best tracks, in front of the biggest audiences and expanding F1's reach."
The Montreal destination is renowned for its sell-out weekends, year after year. That fact was further highlighted this season when the Turkish Grand Prix took place in front of largely empty grandstands, as was the case in China.
The Globe and Mail also said the 78-year-old was pressured by his bosses at CVC, the majority owners of F1's commercial rights, to keep carmakers happy and committed to the sport.
"It seems CVC decided to appease them with a quick return to North America, which did not host an F1 race this year for the first time since 1958," said the report.
The price tag for taking Formula One back to Canada has plummeted by $100m for a new five-year deal, according to local reports.
Last year, negotiations with the Montreal race organisers ended when Bernie Ecclestone's demands for a $175m five-year agreement were unanimously turned down by the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.
Now, after the F1 chief executive said talks are back on track to restore the Canadian round at the famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for 2010, the national Globe and Mail reported that the proposed new deal is for just $75m for five years.
The newspaper said Ecclestone's hand was forced due to the economic recession which lowered revenue expectations, but also suggested that the recent signing of the amended Concorde Agreement - which renewed the sporting and commercial considerations of F1 until 2012 - contributed to the matter as "it is thought the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) pushed hard for a return to Canada."
Following the Concorde Agreement renewal, FOTA had indicated its focus was now on "racing at the best tracks, in front of the biggest audiences and expanding F1's reach."
The Montreal destination is renowned for its sell-out weekends, year after year. That fact was further highlighted this season when the Turkish Grand Prix took place in front of largely empty grandstands, as was the case in China.
The Globe and Mail also said the 78-year-old was pressured by his bosses at CVC, the majority owners of F1's commercial rights, to keep carmakers happy and committed to the sport.
"It seems CVC decided to appease them with a quick return to North America, which did not host an F1 race this year for the first time since 1958," said the report.
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
