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Canadian Grand Prix survives the F1 axe
Paris, Oct 16: The Canadian Grand Prix, which was threatened with being axed from next year`s calendar because of a row over tobacco sponsorship, was included on the calendar for the 2004 Formula One World Championship here on Wednesday.
Paris, Oct 16: The Canadian Grand Prix, which was threatened with being axed from next year`s calendar because of a row over tobacco sponsorship, was included on the calendar for the 2004 Formula One World Championship here on Wednesday.
However, the date set aside for the race in Montreal, June 13, is provisional depending on a satisfactory financial agreement with the teams regarding the absence of tobacco sponsorship.
The decision was taken by a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council who released the schedule which now features 18 events - the first time in the history of the sport that there have been over 17 races.
As expected, Bahrain and China join the calendar with the Belgian Grand Prix returning after a one-year absence while the race in Austria is scrubbed from the competition.
Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One ringmaster, announced in August that the Canadian Grand Prix would be dropped in response to a government crackdown on tobacco sponsorship.
Local promoters argued that the absence of the event could have a devastating effect on the local economy claiming that 300,000 fans are attracted to the race while over 50 million euros are generated.
Bureau Report
However, the date set aside for the race in Montreal, June 13, is provisional depending on a satisfactory financial agreement with the teams regarding the absence of tobacco sponsorship.
The decision was taken by a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council who released the schedule which now features 18 events - the first time in the history of the sport that there have been over 17 races.
As expected, Bahrain and China join the calendar with the Belgian Grand Prix returning after a one-year absence while the race in Austria is scrubbed from the competition.
Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One ringmaster, announced in August that the Canadian Grand Prix would be dropped in response to a government crackdown on tobacco sponsorship.
Local promoters argued that the absence of the event could have a devastating effect on the local economy claiming that 300,000 fans are attracted to the race while over 50 million euros are generated.
Bureau Report