Canadian Grand Prix reaches end of road

The Formula One impresario Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that the Canadian Grand Prix is to be dropped for 2004.

Race organisers revealed last week that they had received a letter from Ecclestone confirming the decision to drop the Montreal event due to a ban on tobacco advertising in Canada, which is due to come into force next season. Ecclestone initially denied the claim, insisting the calendar for next year had not been decided.

However, yesterday he issued a statement through his Formula One Management company confirming the race is to be axed. It read: "I can confirm that a letter was written to the Canadian race promoter following a meeting I had with him when I informed him the Canadian round of the FIA Formula One Championship would not be included in the 2004 calendar.

"The reason for this is that the Canadian government has brought into effect a total prohibition on tobacco-related sponsorship. There is a provision in our contract with the race promoter that should this become effective, we have the right not to include their event in the calendar for the relevant year."

Ecclestone insisted that tobacco advertising was the sole reason for the decision, blaming a drop in revenue for teams with logos who are forced to comply with local bans.

"Our problem is quite simple. The Formula One teams with tobacco-related sponsorship lose part of their revenue when a certain percentage of the events ban tobacco sponsorship. This was the reason the Belgian Grand Prix was not included in the 2003 calenda," he added.

Ecclestone argued that he would be sorry to see the end of Montreal as a grand prix venue. "One thing is for sure: everyone is sorry to lose the Canadian race as we all love Montreal and the warm support the city has always given Formula One," he said.