Canadian GP Facing October Deadline

The organisers of the Canadian Grand Prix have until the end of October to secure a deal that would guarantee the race's position on next year's Formula One calendar.

The race had been originally dropped from the 2004 calendar as a result of local anti-tobacco legislation, but earlier this month the International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s World Motor Sport Council published a revised calendar listing the Montreal race as an additional round on June 13.

The date, however, was subject to a satisfactory financial agreement that would compensate the competing teams for running without tobacco sponsorship. Canadian race promoter Normand Legault said on Monday they have until the October 31 to secure the deal.

Legault and brewing company Molson issued a joint statement saying they were "reaffirming their determination to work together to keep the Montreal Grand Prix on the Formula One race calendar.

"Several solutions are being explored concerning the funding of the event and current discussions do not include a change of ownership as a condition for staging the Formula One race."

Three of the top four teams - Ferrari, McLaren and Renault - rely on tobacco sponsorship, which is due to be banned in the European Union from mid 2005. BAR are part-owned by BAT, while Jordan are also backed by a cigarette brand.