Iconic Grand Prix 'facing F1 calendar axe' after contract talks take worrying twist

The is reportedly in danger of dropping off the calendar with contract talks 'at a standstill'. F1 bosses will assess the success of the 2025 event before deciding on the future of the iconic race. Canada's F1 race was first added to the schedule back in 1961 and has been virtually ever-present since then. The upcoming Grand Prix in June will be the 60th running of the event, which is held around the legendary Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal.

However, while the racing action is reliably interesting and the event is adored by fans around the world, improvements need to be made. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali was even forced to apologise to teams last year after a number of problems. Communication issues caused local police to block paddock staff from entering the Notre Dame Island, on which the track is situated, while the wet weather caused flooding in hospitality units. TV and commentary booths also faced heavy water damage, while the VIP parking areas were rendered nearly unusable by thick mud.

According to a report from , the Canadian GP is now under pressure to show improvement in 2025 if it wants to keep its place on the schedule. The current deal is set to expire at the end of 2031, meaning there is still time to salvage the event, although it faces intense competition from other tracks.

The F1 calendar is already undergoing a period of intense change. The Dutch Grand Prix will make its final appearance on the schedule in 2026, and events in Spa, Imola and Barcelona appear to be in danger ahead of the Madrid street race's debut in 2026.

There is also plentiful competition from outside Europe. South Africa, Rwanda, Thailand and Argentina are among the countries angling for the opportunity to host a Grand Prix, and Domenicali is keen to bring the F1 circus to new markets around the world following the success of recent calendar additions.

While some iconic events are facing crunch talks, others have enjoyed renewals. The divisive Miami Grand Prix was handed an unprecedented extension until 2041 ahead of the race two weeks ago, while the Mexico City Grand Prix has also received new terms, despite Sergio Perez's absence from the grid.

For Canada, a similar fate is far from certain. Assessing his own nation's F1 spectacle last year, Jacques Villeneuve summed up the public sentiment. "Last year, the day after the race, Montreal felt like a ghost town," he told Spin Casino.

"There were issues with traffic. It was like the government didn't want the race there. It was awful; nobody was there. It felt like an abandoned city. It was the oddest thing. It was very disappointing and embarrassing as well. So, May might be a much better time for everyone."