Russian Grand Prix extended to 2025, Canada to 2029
In recent days, the organizers of the Russian Grand Prix have announced that their race in Sochi will be extended until 2025. The same goes for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, which will run until at least 2029.
The future of the Russian Grand Prix beyond the 2020 edition had been under discussion for several months. The promoters of the Sochi circuit have confirmed the extension with the FOM until 2025.
The agreement initially negotiated with Bernie Ecclestone has been finalized with representatives of the new owners of Formula 1, Liberty Media, who have acquired CVC’s shares. The Russian state has completely withdrawn from financing the race in favor of the Russian bank VTB, which becomes the title sponsor of the event and will henceforth have to pay the entry fees to the calendar.
Sergey Vorobyov, the promoter of the Russian GP, spoke about this to Autosport: “It is a complex agreement, which combines with the promoter contract. The important thing for us is the title sponsor contract and there are a few other things we are currently working on with Chase (Carey, F1 president) and his team that I am not ready to announce yet. We will do so at the right time. So everything started with Bernie and ends with Chase and his team.”
The possibility of organizing a night Grand Prix has been mentioned again for the future.
Regarding the Canadian Grand Prix, an agreement has been signed for the race to continue to be held at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal. Initially, the contract ran until 2024, but it has been extended for five more years, until 2029.
This extension should primarily be accompanied by renovation work on the facilities around the pit lane and resurfacing of the track, with the FOM having agreed to postpone the deadline for the completion of the work to the 2019 edition.
François Dumontier, the promoter of the event, expressed his satisfaction to Motorsport.com: « It’s a long-term contract that gives us time to plan and work on improving the facilities. With the new garages coming in 2019, extending the contract was important. We will start working with the city, the owner of the circuit, to work on the plans and drawings and schedule a construction timeline for the new garages. Then, between the 2018 and 2019 races, the construction will take place. »
This is in any case good news for the Canadian fans who flock every year in a warm atmosphere.
