The Canadian Grand Prix looks set to return to the Formula One calendar next season, after the Mayor of Montreal revealed that organisers have reached the final stages of negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone.
Gerald Tremblay told a press conference on Thursday that his administration was doing all it could to bring Formula One back to Canada, and that talks had been progressing.
“There are still certain commitments which have been made that have to be refined,” he was quoted as saying by the Canadian Press agency. “Right now, we’re trying to finalize this agreement in the best interests of Montreal.”
“We want Montreal to regain its status as one of the largest Grand Prix (races) in the world.”
Although no date has yet to be confirmed, the race is expected to return to its traditional June date.
The deal to put the race back on has also been helped by support from the Quebec and Ottawa governments, who will share the cost of staging the event with the city of Montreal.
This year’s omission of the race meant that it was the first time, in the history of Formula One, that there had been no Grand Prix in North America.
