Disappointment at Canada loss

Theissen: Not happy

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Teams

• BMW-Sauber
• Brawn GP

• More teams +

  • Toyota

A number of manufacturer-backed teams have expressed disappointment at the decision to drop the Canadian Grand Prix from next year's Formula One calendar.

The FIA released a revised schedule for next season earlier this week, with Abu Dhabi being added at the expense of Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villenueve, which has hosted a race every year bar once since 1978.

Speaking at a press conference at Fuji ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, team bosses from BMW Sauber, Honda and Toyota all said a North American race was vital in terms of marketing.

The United States Grand Prix was dropped from the calendar last year.

"We are not happy about not being in North America," BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen said.

"The United States is the most important and biggest car market for BMW and I think for the industry as a whole.

"It has always been difficult to set foot into the US but Canada has always been a very strong operational base to get a second race up and running in the US.

"Rather than drop the Canada race we would rather use it or expand the operations in North America to have a Canadian plus at least one US race."

Meeting

Honda chief executive Nick Fry added that the issue will be brought up at the next meeting of the recently-formed Formula One Teams Association (FOTA).

"We are hugely disappointed," he said. "It is difficult to emphasise by exactly how much.

"Honda is very successful in Canada, we make cars there and the local company is hugely enthusiastic about Formula One.

"We sponsor the event and we would like to see it back on the calendar as soon as possible.

"I think it will be a major topic of conversation at the next meeting of teams."

John Howett, Toyota team president and FOTA vice-president, added his belief that, rather than withdraw altogether, the sport should instead establish a stronger foothold in the continent.

"We are sad because it is a great race and we like to go there," he said.

"I think one of the targets of FOTA is to actually ask the commercial rights holder to really establish a strong foothold in North America - particularly the United States - with a race which showcases Formula One well.

"It is a very important market for Formula One and hopefully in the next one to two years we can establish a proper race in the United States."