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Canada Loses F1 Race

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2008

PARIS - The Canadian Grand Prix was dropped from Formula One's 2009 calendar on Tuesday, leaving North America without a race on the circuit.
Governing body FIA ratified its calendar for the coming season and omitted the Canadian GP, which was first held in 1967. It's the first time since 1987 that the Canadian GP won't be on the schedule.

The inaugural Abu Dhabi GP was added to the 2009 schedule, which will feature 18 races, the same as this year.
Contractual problems between Circuit Gilles Villeneuve officials and commercial rights holder F1 management are believed to have contributed to the decision.

The Turkish GP, originally scheduled to be raced in August, takes the Montreal spot on June 7. That leaves a four-week break between the Hungarian GP on July 26 and the European GP on Aug. 23 at Valencia, Spain.

IRL: Firestone Indy Lights champion Raphael Matos signed a multiyear contract to drive for Luczo Dragon Racing in the IndyCar Series.

The 27-year-old Brazilian won five poles and three races, all on road or street courses, to claim the championship in the IRL's developmental series last season.

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