Daval

An extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) was held in Paris today. The most significant decision was the dropping of the Canadian Grand Prix from the schedule meaning that North America no longer has a Formula One race.

The revised 18-race calendar now features a traditional summer break between the Hungarian and European Grand Prix while Abu Dhabi will host its first Grand Prix right at the end of the season. Tickets for the 2009 are currently on sale on the official website of the Canadian Grand Prix.

In other news, Marco Piccinini, FIA Deputy President for Sport, confirmed that he is to leave his position, one year before the end of his term, to focus on his other professional commitments.

The WMSC unanimously agreed to give the FIA President authority to negotiate with the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) the introduction of radical measures to achieve a substantial reduction of costs in the championship from 2010. Failing agreement with FOTA, the FIA will enforce the necessary measures to achieve this goal.

It was further unanimously agreed to allow Formula One teams to equalise engine performance across the field for 2009, pending the introduction of cost-saving measures from 2010.

2009 FIA Formula One World Championship

29 March Australia
5 April Malaysia
19 April Bahrain
10 May Spain
24 May Monaco
7 June Turkey
21 June Great Britain
28 June France
12 July Germany
26 July Hungary
23 August Europe (Valencia)
30 August Belgium
13 September Italy
27 September Singapore
11 October Japan
18 October China
1 November Brazil
15 November Abu Dhabi


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This move really saddens me. Canada especially, and the US have a long history of formula 1 races and has a huge amount of fans. I really hope this is a short term thing and the race is returned. It is always a fantastic weekend in Montreal - a huge boost for the local economy as well.

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Leto

WTF??? did anybody see that coming? Perhaps it will be temporary, as Toronto's open wheel race is returning next year (not F1, but a good weekend nonetheless)

Charlatan

Wow... that really sucks for Montreal.

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Amaras

I was once offered free tickets (VIP section) from a supplier at work for the F1 and I said "No!"
I know some people love racing, but I could care less.
Shoulda seen his face though, it was like I surprise buttsecksed him.

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Daniel_

I could care less = it is capable to care less than I do (i.e. I care).

I couldn't care less = it is not possible to care less than I do (i.e. I don't care). It's a small thing, but really annoying to me. Sorry.

Right - on to the actual point.

It's a shame that Canada's been axed, but change is essential in this sport. If it wasn't we'd be watching the British GP from Brand's Hatch and the Dutch from Zandvoort.

The old Nurburgring was axed too.

The sport evolves, tries new things and improves or adapts.

Whatever else you say about F1, it's not just hammering round an oval, which I always feel makes it more interesting than the high performance racing that is popular in the US (which I don't understand as much).

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Gary Goodman

Seems like the circuit has been in need of repairs for some time now. If the infrastructure cannot be maintained then the governing body will go elswhere. This happens in the NHL as well. If the local economy cannot provide a "state of the art" facility, then the team threatens to leave. In some cases they have left.

nomcat

Yes, in fact. Did you see how the track was breaking up this year?

Craven Morehead

This week France said they're off the schedule.

powerclown

Magny Cours is no great loss, always preferred Paul Ricard for the French GP. They should have axed Hungary instead of Montreal, probably political.

QuasiMondo

Mosley and Ecclestone will be the death of Formula 1.

ESPN - Formula One plans to use common engine supplier by 2010 - Racing

No French GP either now

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing...ory?id=3645830

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