Where Next for Canada's Motorsport Superstar?
What a sad year for Canadian motorsport. With respect to Paul Tracy, who has competed well in Champ Cars throughout 2003 and stands a good chance to take the championship overall, our Formula 1 prospects are looking dimmer by the day.
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| Without serious concessions by the federal and provincial governments, Formula 1 won't return to Montreal anytime soon. (Photo: Canada GP) |
By now even non-F1 fans should have heard about Montreal being dropped from the 2004 Formula 1 calendar, with nary a chance of clambering back onto the fastest bandwagon in the world until at least 2005, and then after serious concessions by the federal and provincial governments.
While this blow sent Canadian F1 fans reeling, spitting venomous comments at F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone for his disingenuous support of his home race despite Britain's ban on tobacco, all the while talking out of the other side of his mouth that Canada ran afoul for the same sin, he at least should be commended for his support of Jacques Villeneuve staying in Formula 1.
While it doesn't seem that Ecclestone is supporting Jacques simply out of fondness, citing that including the outspoken French Canadian, one of two Championship winning drivers currently in the series, in the number one motorsport contest is good for the marketability of the series, the work that the F1 boss has done has served to Villeneuve's benefit.
Or at least we all had hoped. On Friday Jacque's manager Craig Pollock received word that the 1997 World Champion would not be required for next year's employment by the Brackley-based BAR team.
"We received a call from BAR Managing Director, Dave Richards, on Friday evening informing us of their decision," Pollock told AFP.