Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock - Canadian GP

Crowd Increase

Organisers of the Canadian Grand Prix announced a marked increase in overall weekend attendance of the Air Canada sponsored event. More than 100,000 spectators attended each of the three-days of the event to ensure 326,000 fans came through the turnstiles in total. More than 117,000 witnessed race day, while 101,000 and 108,000 were present on Friday and Saturday respectively. The 2001 event brought in a total number of 304,000 spectators.

Star Attractions

American songstress Sheryl Crow's concert during the Grand Prix weekend in Montreal brought a flood of celebrities to the city. Actor Kiefer Sutherland was present at the gig at Cine-Cite as was Quebec actress Dominique Michel, with both on duty at the race track too. Others of note at the Grand Prix were Canadian Olympic diver and television host Annie Pelletier, stand-up comedian Stephane Rousseau and Quebecor president Pierre Karl Peladeau.

Speeding Fine

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello's quest for pole position cost him dearly on Saturday after he exceeded the pit-lane speed limit. The Brazilian was hit with a $4,500 fine for his error after he was caught doing 69 km/h after leaving the garage. Arrows' Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi was found equally guilty and was left $4,500 out of pocket following his indiscretion when he travelled through the pitlane at a massive 88.5 km/h.