MONTREAL – Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay says officials are finalizing a deal to bring Formula One racing back to the city next June.
Tremblay says the actual date of the Canadian Grand Prix and other details still have to be hammered out.
“There are still certain commitments which have been made that have to be refined,” he told reporters on Thursday, adding that Quebec and Ottawa are also at the table with the city.
“Right now, we’re trying to finalize this agreement in the best interests of Montreal.”
He said it looks “very good” that Montreal will have its Grand Prix in June 2010.
Tremblay said he’s confident he will be able to make the official announcement before next year’s F1 calendar of events is unveiled in September.
His comments come after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone recently told a European motor sport magazine that cars will be whizzing around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal in 2010.
“We want Montreal to regain its status as one of the largest Grand Prix (races) in the world,” the mayor added.
Tremblay said the agreement respects the principles established by all governments involved, notably that they will not only finance the event but will also share in the revenues.
Montreal was dropped from the 2009 F1 calendar after negotiations with race organizers collapsed.
F1 wanted $175 million to keep the Montreal race on the 2009 schedule but organizers and government balked.
It was the first time in more than 20 years that F1 cars had not speeded around a Montreal track.
