But if Charest's government does provide the funding, it will not come without conditions. The Premiere stated that his government would be supportive, "but on condition that the promoters present a proposition that's profitable for Quebec and its taxpayers. When they come with a proposal, we will look at it coolly and lucidly and we will take a business decision. I think it would be in the interests of everybody that a business like this be concluded over a number of years and not just for one year, otherwise the risk is that all of this will start again."
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| If Jean Charest's government does provide the funding for the Quebec event, it will not come without conditions. (Photo: Canada GP) |
Since the radical rules changes that began during the 2003 season, interest in Formula 1 has increased in Canada and abroad, which may help the Quebec government support the cause. Compared to last year, when Michael Schumacher and Ferrari had tied the championship up well before the series was over, 2003 came down to the final race last weekend at Suzuka in Japan. While M.S. still managed to eke out a narrow margin championship victory, the competition was stiff and racing fans enjoyed a much more entertaining season.
While the FIA may take some of the kudos for their often controversial rules changes, much of the competitiveness comes directly from the teams and drivers themselves, led by Williams/BMW, McLaren/Mercedes and Renault, having stepped up their game since last season, as well as tire manufacturer Michelin that was more often than not, much more capable come race day than rival Bridgestone.
Just the same the FIA World Sport Council has tweaked the 2004 rules in order to "improve the show," with the major changes being that both qualifying sessions will now be run on the Saturday, leaving Friday's sessions for practice only, the order for the first session of qualifying being decided by the finishing places of the previous race, with the first race number one session qualifying being set up based on the 2003 driver standings. The second qualifying session will continue to reverse the running order of the first, attempting to mix up the grid.