Canadian Grand Prix Dropped For 2009, No More F1 In North America

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Canuck F1 fans today are mourning the loss of the Canadian Grand Prix from the 2009 Formula One schedule, said to be the result of "contractual problems" between the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and F1 management. The Canadian GP already dodged a bullet back in 2004 when the race was supposed to be dropped due to the loss of tobacco advertising, but funds were scraped up and the show went on. Oh, if you're wondering, the decision was in no way influenced by Robert Kubica's spectaular crash in 2007. The race has been held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Quebec since 1978 (with a year off in 1987). That was back before the track was even named after the late Canadian racer, who died in 1982. It used to be known as the Circuit Île Notre-Dame. Prior to that, the Canadian Grand Prix was around since 1961 (with a year off in 1975) at Mosport Park and Mont-Tremblant. [gridcrasher, globesports] (Thanks Richard, Greg, and Jon!) image copyright: AFP/ Getty Images