Bernie Ecclestone casts doubt on Montreal F1 contract
F1 head says required improvements to Montreal track haven't been done
Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone says Montreal's lack of action on promised improvements to the city's Gilles-Villeneuve racetrack may be putting the city's F1 contract in doubt.
Ecclestone made the comments in Montreal, where he's in town for the Canadian Grand Prix race this weekend.
When Montreal renewed its contract for the F1 race in 2014, the city promised to renovate the garages, control tower and medical centre at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in time for the 2017 Grand Prix.
The cost of the improvements was estimated at $32.6 million.
When asked Thursday if he was optimistic that the fixes would be in place for 2017, Ecclestone said "I doubt it."
He then said "we'll see" if the 2017 Grand Prix gets the green light if the renovations aren't complete.
Montreal's 'forgotten' contractual obligations
He said the improvements were part of the 10-year deal Montreal signed in 2014 with F1.
If they're not finished, the city's contract with F1 could be in doubt, Ecclestone said.
"When you've got a contract, normally it's got the terms set out in the contract for what people are supposed to do – both sides. And it's been forgotten a little bit from the city's side," he told reporters.
Ecclestone partly to blame, says Coderre
Ecclestone is well-known for his off-the-cuff comments, and this one received an immediate response from Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.
Coderre acknowledged that the work is behind schedule, but said put the blame on disagreements between Ecclestone and Montreal Grand Prix promoter François Dumontier.
"Sometimes, when the promoter and Bernie Ecclestone don't agree on how things should be done, that's what causes delays," he said.
However, he said Montreal's 2017 Grand Prix will be as good as ever.
"We'll make sure there's a good Grand Prix and you'll see that the city's done its work."