The Canadian grand prix this weekend could be heading for a sellout -- thanks to Lewis Hamilton.
Montreal's always-buzzing Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will be missing two usual drawcards in 2007, following the retirement of Michael Schumacher and local hero Jacques Villeneuve's formula one exit.
Canada's National Post reports that the event is not sold out, "but (it) could be by the end of the week, depending on an anticipated rush for general-admission tickets".
The 'rush' is expected due to a late marketing campaign centred around the success of British McLaren rookie Hamilton, who has scored as many points so far in 2007 as his world champion teammate Fernando Alonso.
"People are reacting to the way it's going with him," the grand prix's press officer Normand Prieur said.
"We've been playing with that. We're not hiding that. We wish that he might win his first race here. That would make some history for us."
332,000 spectators attended the Canadian GP weekend in 2006, with 119,000 on race day.
Some rain, meanwhile, is expected in the French speaking city on Friday, but the rest of the weekend is expected to be mostly fine.