Organizers hope race can be salvaged
The Canadian Grand Prix, a worldclass sporting event as well as a major generator of revenue for the hospitality industry in Montreal, has been postponed. The Formula One race had been scheduled for June 12-14 on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Octane Racing Group, the race organizer, announced the postponement Tuesday. The news broke as Mayor Valérie Plante announced that all cultural entertainment and sporting events in Montreal are cancelled until July 2.
François Dumontier, the president and CEO of Formula One Grand Prix du Canada, had hoped that the Montreal race wold kickstart a Formula One season that has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. It is the ninth race on the schedule to be cancelled or postponed. The Australian and Monte Carlo races have been cancelled, while races in Bahrain, Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Spain and Azerbaijan have all been postponed.
The possibility of keeping to the original schedule effectively disappeared last week when Premier
François Legault extended the ban on non-essential work until May 4. That prevented work needed to prepare the race site.
“This postponement was not a decision that was taken lightly or easily,” the race organizers said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. “Over the past month, we have been in constant communication with Formula One and representatives from the city of Montréal, Tourism Montreal and both provincial and federal governments. We have heard the directives issued by public health officials and as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic are following the expert guidance provided by the authorities. Our thoughts and most sincere thanks go to the men and women working tirelessly to keep us healthy, safe and fed during these uncertain time.”
‘’I am proud to see how such wonderful initiatives and technical advancements stemming from Formula One are being applied in a time of crisis,” said Dumontier. “At the moment it is crucial that all of our energies be put together to overcome COVID-19. We will welcome you with open arms at Circuit Gilles-villeneuve as soon as it is safe to do so.’’
While Chase Carey, the CEO of Formula One, said he hopes to put on a “great show” for Montreal fans later this year, the possibility of salvaging the Formula One event seems remote. The next race on the schedule is the French Grand Prix, scheduled for June 26-28, and it’s only a matter of time before that race is scrapped. France ranks sixth in the world in the number of coronavirus cases. Next up after France is the Austrian GP on July 1.
F1 has cancelled its normal summer break in hopes of rescheduling some races and Chase said it was possible that the season would extend beyond November.
The Montreal race has a large impact on the Montreal economy because it attracts free-spending racing fans from all the over the world.
The local organizers said any tickets purchased for this year’s race remain valid and spectators will be informed of the available options when a new date is set. That’s the case for tickets purchased through the Gpcanada’s website and through other channels.