From GMM

Organisers of the Canadian grand prix have strongly denied Bernie Ecclestone's claim that the 2009 race was axed because of a growing debt dating back three years.

The F1 chief executive said last week that he cancelled Montreal's formula one contract because of monetary shortfalls "for the past three years".

But in a statement issued by the promoter Grand Prix F1 du Canada, race official Paul Wilson rubbished the "allegations", claiming that the dispute relates only to 2008.

"We were working hard to resolve the matter in order to meet our 2008 obligations when Mr. Ecclestone, without notice, surprised everyone by unilaterally dropping the Canadian grand prix from the 2009 FIA schedule," he said.

He claims that Ecclestone's allegations could tarnish the "reputation" and "integrity" of the Canadian grand prix.

"It is totally untrue to suggest that our organisation has defaulted on payments owed for the past three years," Wilson charged.