Canada signs new Formula One deal until 2029

Canadian Grand Prix organisers have announced they have secured a new deal that will keep the Formula One grand prix at Montreal until 2029.Circuit Gilles Villeneueve has been the regular host of the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978, apart from one year hiatuses...

Canada signs new Formula One deal until 2029

Canadian Grand Prix organisers have announced they have secured a new deal that will keep the Formula One grand prix at Montreal until 2029.

Circuit Gilles Villeneueve has been the regular host of the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978, apart from one year hiatuses in 1987 and 2009 when the race was not held. The circuit's previous deal ran up to 2024 but talks that began with Bernie Ecclestone last year have now been finalised, extending the contract for a further five years.

Doubts had been raised about the circuit's future after it was reported it had been unable to complete renovations in time for this year's grand prix, however, organisers have since reached an agreement -- which includes a commitment to upgrade the garage facilities -- following Liberty Media's successful takeover of the sport.

"It's a long contract and one which gives us time to plan and to work on improving the facilities," promoter Francois Dumontier told Motorsport.com. "With the new garages arriving in 2019, extending the contract was important. We will start work with the city, who own the circuit, to work on the plans and drawings and plan a construction schedule for the new garages.

"Then between the 2018 and '19 races, the construction will take place. It will be a completely new building, with the current one removed. Montreal is important to the championship. There are only two races in North America and we are the oldest race outside of Europe in the championship."

18-year-old Lance Stroll will become the first Canadian driver since Jacques Villeneuve to race in F1 when he makes his debut for Williams at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix later this month. Dumontier says having Stroll on the 2017 grid has boosted ticket sales for the event.

"They are going pretty good," he said. "We can see the Lance Stroll effect so it's a case of so far, so good."

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