Montréal, 23 May 2018 – While informing them that this would, indeed, be the last time that they are invited to the current garages at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, François Dumontier, President and CEO of the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada gave an update to media representatives sixteen days before the drivers and their cars hit the track which is celebrating its fortieth anniversary.
Ticket sales
During the press meeting, the President revealed that the sales of grandstand, suite and general admission tickets were excellent for this anniversary edition, which will take place on June 8, 9, 10. “We are not sold out, but everything leads us to believe that we will be very soon, so I invite latecomers to order their tickets without delay”, explained François Dumontier, while reminding everyone that people seated in the LANCE STROLL Grandstand, at the exit of the Hairpin, will be given a t-shirt and a cap on Sunday.
Respect for people
François Dumontier, as well as Yves Lalumière, President and General Manager of Tourisme Montréal who came to show his support, tackled with great determination the question of respect for people, particularly their condemnation of sexual exploitation. On this subject, the President of the Grand Prix announced the policies implemented by his organization and imposed on its partners on the sites where official events will be held. “We encourage the next generation of motorsport, the Grid Kids, young F1 hopefuls who practice motorsport. Giving them this opportunity is also encouraging their dream and showing them what they can aspire to.”
Charity events
“’The Grand Walk” is the first time such an event is held at the Canadian Grand Prix and proceeds will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For this event, of which Olympic athletes Joannie Rochette and Denny Morrison are spokespersons, we invite fans to come and walk on the track where, a few hours earlier, Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Stroll and the others will have taken part in their first free practice sessions. Tickets for this charity event are sold ahead of time at $45 each, and participants will also receive a grandstand ticket giving them access to the site on Friday.
“’The Grand Evening” will be celebrating its ninth edition, this time at the Alexandra Dock of the Port of Montréal. Under the honorary presidency of Mr. Tony Loffreda, the profits generated by the event will be donated to the Giant Steps Foundation as well as to the Véro & Louis Foundation, the former focusing on school-age autistic children, the latter on the lives of these same children when they reach adulthood.
National anthem and original song
Also presented to the media this morning was singer Annie Villeneuve, who was invited by the organization to perform the Canadian national anthem on the track. Enthused by the invitation and inspired by the celebration of 40 years of F1 in Montréal, the singer from Saguenay wrote, in collaboration with Rob Wells, an original song entitled Burn So Bright. The French and English versions of this song are available on iTunes.
On track
The organizers of the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada also took advantage of today’s meeting to confirm that the Formula 1600, Porsche GT3 Cup and Ferrari Challenge races will also be part of the on-track action and that the traditional “Open House” day will once again welcome fans on Thursday, June 7, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Those who wish to be on hand for the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2018 can still order their seats directly in the event’s website at www.gpcanada.ca or by calling 514 350-0000 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
A Canadian, Montréal-based company, Octane Racing Group Inc. is the exclusive promoter of the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA under an agreement with Formula One (the owner of the F1 marketing rights).
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Media enquiries:
Sandrine Garneau-Le Bel
Senior Advisor, Communications and Public Relations
FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA
514 350-4731, extension 233