Canada Grand Prix: Montreal Ready to embrace Formula One fever
After the intense race witnessed at the Turkish Grand Prix, Formula One moves to the North American continent. It is time that Montreal shapes up well to embrace the racing season. A very strong line-up of racing stars will be witnessed in the sixty year history of motor racing in Canada like never before.
Martin Whitmarsh, the McLaren team principal expressed his views saying that one of the toughest racing competitions is expected as we move to the Canadian roads. In the coming weeks, the Formula One caravan moves to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix after the last one was held at Montreal in 2008. The last year was the first ever season since 1958 that no Formula 1 Grand Prix was run in Canada.
Only last week, Formula One made an announcement of its return to the United States, confirming Texas as the new venue for a Grand Prix in 2012. Whitmarsh expressed his delight over the announcement saying that it was great to hear about the sport crossing the Atlantic once more in its best shape. He added that the sport has a very firm footing in the all important North American market.
“The return of Formula 1 to North America is a very positive move for the sport,” he said.
He further exclaimed that after the absence of F1 for the last two years from this region, he now thinks that everyone is tremendously pleased as they look forward to the Canadian Grand Prix - a race that has a long and chequered history in the Formula 1 calendars.
The local residents of Montreal have always felt a close emotional attachment towards the race and that is the reason why the atmosphere at Montreal stays fantastic and jubilant throughout the race weekend.
He also said that he firmly believes that this year would be even more special as the Formula One returns to North America with a combination of drivers and teams which have grown over the years. All team will possess some rich driving techniques that Montreal has probably not witnessed ever before in the sport’s history.
In 2008, no race was held in North America due to financial disagreements of the Indianapolis and Montreal management with Bernie Ecclestone in the year 2007 and 2008 respectively.
However, the Canadian Gran Prix officials were successful in settling their dispute with the sport’s ringmaster Ecclestone to regain their place on the calendar of the most popular race of the region.
Tony Fernandes, the boss of the Lotus team is overjoyed that his team would make their debut in the season with a comeback of the F1 to North America. He said that Formula One was one of the greatest races and that he cannot wait to be there. Tony further explained that North America is a very important area for their team as CNN, their official media partner and Lotus are from the same continent.
The F1 drivers are also very happy as they see the Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve back on the calendar. The track is built on an island lined by walls - a venue that produces some exceptional racing spectacles.
Reigning World champion Jenson Button expressed that the Canadian Grand Prix will be a fantastic experience and going back to Montreal after the break of one year will be special. He said that he has always believed that everyone in Formula One loves the Canada along with its people and the track. The race is more special as all the drivers are expecting to have a great run after years.
He was excited to proclaim that Canada had always been a very unpredictable place. Michael Schumacher has a record of winning the Canadian Grand Prix more than any of the other drivers with seven wins in his career and now he is more than excited to return to Montreal for the first time since 2006.
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