The Canadian Grand Prix will not feature on the 2009 Formula 1 calendar, meaning North America will not be hosting any F1 races next season. It will be the first time since 1987 that Montreal will not be hosting a grand prix.

The 2009 calendar is currently:

Australia            29 March
Malaysia             5 April
Bahrain              19 April
Spain                10 May
Monaco               24 May
Turkey               7 June
Great Britain        21 June
France               28 June
Germany              12 July
Hungary              26 July
Europe (Valencia)    23 August
Belgium              30 August
Italy                13 September
Singapore            27 September
Japan                11 October
China                18 October
Brazil               1 November
Abu Dhabi            15 November

The calendar shows that the Turkish Grand Prix has been moved back two months, from August to June, to create a summer break for the teams.

Surprisingly, the organisers of the Canadian Grand Prix were not informed of the decision to drop the race, and learnt about the plans through the media.

“The organisers of the Canadian Grand Prix learned of the axing of the Canadian Grand Prix from the 2009 Formula One championship calendar through the media,” a statement from the organisers read. “Consequently, no comments will be issues before speaking with the interested parties of Formula One Management and the Federation International de l’Automobile.”

By Forumula1.net on Wednesday, October 8, 2008