Montreal businessmen angered by F1 axe

The Montreal Chamber of Commerce has hit out at Formula One’s decision to axe the Canadian Grand Prix from next year’s calendar.

Race promoter Normand Legault last night revealed that he had received a letter from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone confirming that Montreal would not be hosting a race in 2004 due to national anti-tobacco laws.

The legislation was announced in 1997, and the Montreal race was given a seven-year grace period before tough new laws curbing tobacco advertising at sporting events are introduced on October 1.

The Gilles Villeneuve circuit, named after the late Ferrari ace, has been home to the event since 1977.

The Canadian city’s Chamber of Commerce president Benoit Labonte said: “The Canadian Grand Prix is the international calling card for Montreal.

“For 25 years, this spectacular sporting event, and one of the best on the Formula One circuit, made it possible for Montreal to be showcased throughout the world and promote its festive and accessible side.

“Economic repercussions of this kind are unfortunately not replaced so easily.”

Labonte, whose organisation represents some 7,000 members, has already contacted Legault to offer his support in taking whatever steps are necessary to reverse the decision.

Legault said: “The decision was basically made in light of the October 1 application of Canada and Quebec’s anti-tobacco legislation.

“What that means for next June’s event is that Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari could not sport Marlboro’s colours and Jacques Villeneuve’s car could not have Lucky Strike on it.

“Based on this situation, Mr Ecclestone has the legal right to call an end to the contract.

“It’s nothing personal. It’s a contractual matter. It’s an issue he had the right to raise and which he did raise and we’re faced with his decision on how he deals with it.”

Last week, the 2004 Belgium GP at Spa-Francorchamps was reinstated after a year out when laws on tobacco advertising were watered down for sporting events.

However, Legault insisted there was no plan to lobby the Canadian government for another reprieve in the anti-tobacco laws.

“If there is a slim chance of trying to overturn that decision, we will definitely try and do it,” said Legault.

“But we feel, and when I say we, I mean by extension Formula One, have already benefited from a seven-year grace period for promoting tobacco products.

“I feel that was a very reasonable position on the Canadian government’s part and I don’t feel justified for us to ask the government to do more than that.

“It’s not necessary for the tobacco laws to be changed to accommodate the teams. It might be for the teams to decide to comply with various local legislation in the various countries they visit.”

Legault said the ruling will hurt the city because the weekend event in June has drawn crowds of more than 300,000.

“There’s an important economic impact,” said Legault. “There will be an important negative impact on Montreal’s tourism.”