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.