- 28 Nov 09, 14:18#172397
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
It's officially back:
F1live:
Green light for the Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix will once again take part in the Formula One championship, government authorities confirmed Friday afternoon in Montreal. The 2010 edition will take place June 13th, inaugurating a new five-year contract spanning the 2010-2014 seasons.
A few months following the 2008 race, negotiations broke down between the promoter and Formula One Management (FOM) due to commercial differences. Attempts to reach a deal afterwards failed when the federal, provincial and municipal levels rejected F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone's monetary demands.
Paired with the pressure to return to the great North American market and the new reality of the global economic situation, negotiations resumed several months ago and resulted – after more than one expected announcement - in Friday's confirmation.
FOM's initial offer of CDN $175m [€110m/US $165m] over five years diminished to a CDN $75m [€47m/US $71m] deal, with the Canadian and Quebec governments providing two thirds of the funds while the City of Montreal and its tourism arm front the remaining third. CDN $89m [€56m/US $84m] in economic returns are expected.
The offer is "financially reasonable," Raymond Bachand, Quebec's Minister of Finance, said during the press conference held in Montreal City Hall.
"Formula One said yes to Montreal and Montreal said yes to Formula One, but not at any price," explained the city's Mayor, Gerald Tremblay. "We wanted a world-class race, and we wanted our investment to respect the taxpayer's capacity to pay."
"The roar of the engines will seem like a symphony," said Christian Paradis, Canada's Minister of Public Works. "Everyone comes out a winner."
The 2009 season was the first in three decades not to feature the famous Gilles-Villeneuve circuit. That also meant the F1 championship did not visit North America, a very important market the sport has yet to conquer despite its popularity in Canada and more particularly in the Province of Quebec.
In addition to its traditional sell-out crowd, the Canadian Grand Prix usually attracts an audience of 300 million viewers worldwide in 144 countries.
"Today is a big day for Montreal," Tremblay proudly said.
That discount BE granted them is rather steep
Is he going soft in his age? 
But it's cooool! 
F1live:
Green light for the Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix will once again take part in the Formula One championship, government authorities confirmed Friday afternoon in Montreal. The 2010 edition will take place June 13th, inaugurating a new five-year contract spanning the 2010-2014 seasons.
A few months following the 2008 race, negotiations broke down between the promoter and Formula One Management (FOM) due to commercial differences. Attempts to reach a deal afterwards failed when the federal, provincial and municipal levels rejected F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone's monetary demands.
Paired with the pressure to return to the great North American market and the new reality of the global economic situation, negotiations resumed several months ago and resulted – after more than one expected announcement - in Friday's confirmation.
FOM's initial offer of CDN $175m [€110m/US $165m] over five years diminished to a CDN $75m [€47m/US $71m] deal, with the Canadian and Quebec governments providing two thirds of the funds while the City of Montreal and its tourism arm front the remaining third. CDN $89m [€56m/US $84m] in economic returns are expected.
The offer is "financially reasonable," Raymond Bachand, Quebec's Minister of Finance, said during the press conference held in Montreal City Hall.
"Formula One said yes to Montreal and Montreal said yes to Formula One, but not at any price," explained the city's Mayor, Gerald Tremblay. "We wanted a world-class race, and we wanted our investment to respect the taxpayer's capacity to pay."
"The roar of the engines will seem like a symphony," said Christian Paradis, Canada's Minister of Public Works. "Everyone comes out a winner."
The 2009 season was the first in three decades not to feature the famous Gilles-Villeneuve circuit. That also meant the F1 championship did not visit North America, a very important market the sport has yet to conquer despite its popularity in Canada and more particularly in the Province of Quebec.
In addition to its traditional sell-out crowd, the Canadian Grand Prix usually attracts an audience of 300 million viewers worldwide in 144 countries.
"Today is a big day for Montreal," Tremblay proudly said.
That discount BE granted them is rather steep
Is he going soft in his age? But it's cooool! Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
.
