The Montreal Formula 1 weekend had its fair share of chaos, leaving many team members and guests frustrated. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali felt the need to apologize to team bosses after a series of blunders marred the event.
The trouble started when poor communication between the circuit and the police resulted in team members and guests being stranded for hours. Police closed bridge access points due to congestion on the man-made Notre Dame Island, where the circuit is located. The race, which attracted a record attendance of 350,000, saw attendees stuck outside when the entrance was closed on both Friday and Saturday.
Adding to the woes, several hospitality units flooded. These units, already precariously floating on a lake, became unusable. VIP guests were similarly dismayed when their parking area, meant to offer convenience, turned into a mud bath. These high-fee-paying guests were certainly not expecting this kind of treatment.
Friday’s practice sessions also faced issues. Fans were turned away due to misinformation that claimed the sessions were canceled because of heavy rain. This led to significant disappointment among those who had eagerly gathered to watch.
Even the TV commentary booths in the new pit lane building were not spared. Leaks in the booths caused damage to important equipment, further highlighting the infrastructural problems.
Fernando Alonso’s remark about fans invading the track post-race reflected another glaring issue. The FIA stewards summoned the promoter, the Octane Racing Group, over this recurring problem, and the group was later reprimanded.
Despite these issues, there’s no lack of enthusiasm for Formula 1 in Canada. The event continues to draw significant crowds, and the circuit has a deal with F1 that runs until 2031. However, the series bosses are keen on seeing some changes. They propose moving the race earlier in the year to align it with the Miami Grand Prix, which could solve some logistical headaches and meet sustainability goals.
Better communication with police and security staff to manage access points is another demand. More permanent infrastructure like proper toilets, updated VIP boxes, and covered grandstands to shield fans from rain are on the list of requests. The paddock size also needs to be increased to meet the growing demands of the sport.
Despite reaching out, Motorsport.com received no comment from the circuit promoter on these issues.
The Canadian Grand Prix may have a dedicated fanbase and significant attendance, but the recent event highlighted serious logistical and infrastructural shortcomings. With F1’s increasing ambitions, the need for improvements is more pressing than ever.
Source: Motorsport
