Her's a Google translation (tweaked by me) of a recent French language article about the negotiations for a new contract for the Montreal race.
Unfortunately there is no good news to report, other than that the negotiations are continuing (so no bad news either). With the future of the proposed New Jersey race in doubt, Bernie and F1 need Montreal as a summer North American venue.
As has been the case all along, it's not a problem for Montreal to come up with the sanctioning fee, but it is a problem to work out who will pay for the $30-40M in proposed track renovations. Montreal has another new mayor (we'll see if this one can steer clear of corruption charges) and he will probably take his time in working on a way to pay for the track upgrades.
Dumontier wants to meet with Mayor Coderre
canoe.ca
Louis Butcher
No. 18, 2013
AUSTIN - After a brief visit to Austin this weekend, François Dumontier returned to his office in the City of Le Havre neighborhood of Montreal on Monday morning.
The promoter of the Canadian Grand Prix met with Bernie Ecclestone twice during the weekend to discuss, of course, the future of the Montreal race whose contract expires after the 2014 edition.
"We continue to discuss," said Dumontier without really wanting to comment on the content of his exchange with the boss of F1.
With respect to this topic, Dumontier wants to meet with the new mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, in the coming days.
"We haven't yet talked about it, but I intend to do so soon," said the Montreal promoter.
During his election campaign, Mr. Coderre has repeatedly said that Montreal deserves to keep its F1 race and that he would do everything possible to contribute to a renewal of the agreement.
$30 million overhaul
Montreal and the other three contributors (federal government, provincial government and Tourism Montreal) must spend money, lots of money, to meet the demands of F1.
Ecclestone is demanding not only an annual sanctioning fee of $15 million (plus indexation of about 3%), but also a major overhaul of the infrastructure of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, including the redevelopment of the pits and Medical Center and the construction of a new control tower, which will require another expenditure of $ 30 million.
The new agreement is for a period of 10 years, which would ensure the holding of the Canadian Grand Prix until 2024.
An agreement before the holidays?
"I can not comment on this schedule, continued Dumontier. However, I am confident that the matter will be resolved soon ... "
Completion of work in 2017
"We will complete all work by 2017, said Dumontier. Following the Canadian Grand Prix in 2016, they will begin the work. But above all, there needs to be and agreement before we can develop plans for construction and then get them approved. "
Dumontier also stated that at the request of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), some alterations will be made to the track prior to the race next year.
"We were asked to pave the gravel pits at turn 10 and the entry to the pits. That we will do over the next few weeks, "said Dumontier.
Three races fewer?
Incidentally, the FIA will publish on 6 December the final schedule of the 2014 F1 season.
Of the 22 races initially planned, three will be formally removed, according to rumors circulating in the paddock Austin.
It was known that races in South Korea and New Jersey were vulnerable, and now Mexico may not be included either. For the rest, no surprise, except whether the final championship will not take place in Brazil, but in Abu Dhabi.
The great circus of F1 will visit two new destinations in 2014, Austria (June 22), the Red Bull Ring circuit belonging to the empire of the same name, and Sochi, Russia (October 5), the site of the next Winter Olympics, which will take place next February.