Canadian GP Delegation Head to Hungary

A delegation of key Canadian officials is to attend this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix for showdown talks with Bernie Ecclestone over the future of Montreal's Formula One race.

Justice minister Martin Cauchon will head a team of Quebec officials travelling to Budapest in an attempt to persuade Ecclestone to reverse his decision to drop the Canadian Grand Prix from the 2004 calendar.

The delegation will arrive on Thursday and Cauchon told the Globe and Mail newspaper: "I actually can't wait to have the meeting with Mr. Ecclestone."

The Canadian Grand Prix will be left off the calendar after the government refused to make Formula One exempt to a ban on tobacco advertising, which takes effect on October 1.

Five of the Formula One teams - Ferrari, McLaren, BAR-Honda, Renault and Jordan - carry tobacco sponsorship on their cars and would have to agree to run without cigarette logos for the race to stay for 2004.

Cauchon, who will be accompanied by race promoter Normand Legault, tourism official and members of the Quebec government, also plans to meet with team officials on Thursday.