Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix set to be axed

Formula 1

Canadian Grand Prix set to be axed

Montreal cancels two June festivals, including one on same day as Friday practice

Ian Parkes

Sunday 5 April 2020 16:33 Updated: 18:02

Canadian Grand Prix organisers appear set to announce the postponement of their Formula 1 race this week.

At present, the Montreal event at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is due to start the F1 calendar on June 12-14 following the cancellation or postponement of the opening eight races so far due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As Canada currently has restrictions in place that includes the cancelling of all non-essential activities, and the restriction of entry of non-residents, two of Montreal 's flagship summer events have both now been called off.

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Les Francos de Montréal, that was scheduled to be staged on Friday, June 12, the same day as the opening two practice sessions, has been cancelled, along with the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, that was scheduled for June 25.

Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Jacques Primeau, general manager for both events, said it was done in conjunction with the government, along with a number of private partners, and that it was "not an easy one".

Primeau added that "it had become necessary in order to protect the public, the artists and our employees."

On that basis, it seems inevitable the Canadian GP will now follow suit and be called off.

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