Government officials from Montreal, the province of Quebec and Canada are currently meeting with Bernie Ecclestone at the FOM's offices, 6 Princes Gate in London in an attempt to save next season'sCanadian Grand Prix.

Gérald Tremblay, Raymond Bachand and Michael Fortier are today discussing with Mr. Ecclestone to see how the Grand Prix could be saved.

The Canadian race was dropped from the 2009 calendar earlier this month under claims that it had not paid between $10 and $20 million of its contractual obligations in the last two years.

Paul Wilson of the Grand Prix denied that they had defaulted on payments, but admitted there was a commercial disagreement over the fee for the 2008 race and signaled their intention to hold negotiations to reinstate the race.

It seems the Quebec government is willing to offer its help to the race organisers because the event is believed to be worth around $75 million to the local economy at the beginning of the summer season.

The three politicians are expected to be back in Montreal later today, Thursday.