F1 trio for North America
2012-06-13 10:58
NORTH AMERICAN GP HAT TRICK: With the Austin GP (November 16 - 18) and New York joining the calendar in 2013, F1 could have three North American Grands Prix. Above shows McLaren's Lewis Hamilton racing to victory in Canada, June 2012.
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McLaren's Lewis Hamilton raced to victory in Canada to become F1's seventh different winner in as many races.
LONDON, England - Montreal is on the verge of securing a new long-term contract to host Formula 1 until 2024, the La Presse newspaper reported.
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone met race organisers and government officials at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit during the Canadian Grand Prix. Ecclestone confirmed that the deal for 2014 and beyond was near completion.
Ecclestone said: "The annual fee is done. That's not a problem. All they need is the OK for the building (work)."
THREE NORTH AMERICAN RACES
La Presse said Ecclestone requires that Montreal organisers spend $20-million to upgrade the ageing pits and paddock complexes, and resurface the track within five years.
Ecclestone said: "We don't need it to look like Abu Dhabi, we just want an upgrade. We want a facelift. If they do here what they've done at Silverstone, that would be good.
"Canada is important to us," he said.
Montreal's new race deal will mean there will be three GP's in North America, with Austin and New York joining the calendar.
Ecclestone said: "We have 10 races in Europe so I don't see why we can't have three in North America,"
