Grapevine: News from the Paddock - Canadian GP

Busy Streets

The streets of Montreal kicked into life on Thursday as the crowds arrived in town for the Grand Prix. The city has been divided into three distinct party zones - Crescent Street, Saint Laurent, and the old town, and there were sponsored parties in every zone. The Crescent street area was supported by Honda and BAR-Honda drivers Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve were in attendance on Thursday afternoon to kick things off.

Saint Laurent, a 15-minute walk away, was filled with Jaguar cars and Becks beer tents as well as a fashion show stage with models strutting their stuff all night long. The old town area saw a sponsored event from tyre manufacturers Bridgestone, on the Place Jacques-Cartier, with two show cars, four simulators and plenty of bars and shops to entertain the fans.

Jordan Arrival

Team chief Eddie Jordan was surrounded by his fellow team chiefs, including McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh, on the flight into Montreal and the entertaining Irishman couldn't resist displaying the popularity of his little yellow team. Having chatted to the Irish stewardess during the flight 'EJ' was well aware of the announcement when it arrived but he was still able to emit a wry smile as the plane came in to land and the captain said over the tannoy: "We wish all the best of luck to the Jordan team for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix."

Not So Fast

Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia topped the first practice session on Friday and he made sure he was fast in the pitlane as well...too fast. The young Jaguar driver was clocked not once, but twice over the speed limit on the restricted run to and from his pit and paid a very heavy price. He was fined $1,750 (USD) for driving at 66.1km/h four minutes into the session and then, just seven minutes later, he was clocked at 67.3km/h and was fined a much larder $4,000 (USD) for his mistake. A costly morning in Montreal.