Canada dropped and the engine freeze thaws

[John S]

Henceforth, I will refer to the 2008 homologation as the "engine sorbet".

Is that a Lemon flavour by any chance?

[Alianora La Canta]

Maybe

But whatever flavour it is, it stinks something rotten 

[Steven Roy]

Great to see you posting Mr Warmwater even if it is on such a depressing subject.  I refuse point blank to let these self-important, self-serving ******* drive me away from my sport.  One day soon they will not be in charge and I only hope that whoever takes over has more interest in the sport and less interest in themselves than this disreputable pair.

[Scott]

Bernie was quoted as saying "It's a technical problem with the contract".

In Bernie-speak, I guess that means that "technically, there wasn't enough money in it for me!"  I just love the way Bernie seems to be able to sue everyone who tries to renegotiate or break a contract with him, but he can on the other hand crumple them up himself like it was piece of paper jammed in a photocopier (sorry Rom  ).

[Warmwater]

Steven Roy:
Thanks for the insight about refusing to allow the Gold Mine Operators to drive you away from the sport, your remark has swayed me enough to re-evaluate my attitude.
New leadership is needed. What is Jackie Stewart & Sterling Moss doing these days?

[cosworth151]

Hang in there, Luke Warmwater. I've been an F1 fan since the 60's, through good times and bad. We just all hope that the sport can survive this and return to its former glory.

Good to have you here.

[Scott]

The latest from Bernie.  He thinks one Formula 1 race is as important as the Olympics!  C'mon Bernie, what planet do you really come from?  And why can't NA promoters try to make a profit after all?  Oh, I know, if it's profitable for someone else, then Bernie's obviously not charging enough.

From F1 Live:
"America works in a different way," the F1 Chief Executive is quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Certain world events, like Formula One in some countries or the Olympic Games, are financed by the state.

"In America they are organised by private entities, who want to make a profit even before the race has been held. It's a bit too much."

The 77-year-old's stance is not popular among the car manufacturers on the grid, for whom the North American market is key.

"We are hugely disappointed," said Honda's Nick Fry. "It will be a major topic at the next meeting of teams."

Toyota President John Howett said: "Hopefully in the next four years we can establish a real race in the US."

BMW's Mario Theissen stressed the need for the "Canadian race and at least one US one."

[Scott]

And here is the latest from the Canadian Trade Minister.  I expect he might be speaking 'off the cuff', since the Gov't just handed over $25b to rescue some mortgage brokers, I doubt the taxpayers will be too thrilled to find out they are also rescuing an F1 promoter.

From F1 Live:

Local and federal levels of government have vowed to step in and help rescue the axed Canadian Grand Prix.

Canada's federal minister of international trade Michael Fortier, who spoke with F1's Bernie Ecclestone by phone, met with Quebec's economic development minister and Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay on Thursday.

"The Grand Prix is an event that we cannot afford to lose, and that we will not lose," Fortier is quoted as saying by the Globe and Mail.

A meeting with Ecclestone, to take place in about ten days, is reported to be the next step.

Fortier and Tremblay both confirmed that a multi-million dollar debt to Formula One Management is at the heart of the dispute.