Formula one: Canadian GP scraps open day

LONDON: Canadian Grand Prix organisers have cancelled a free access day for spectators at the Montreal Formula One circuit due to fears that student protesters may try and disrupt the event. A statement on the official grand prix website said there would be no Thursday ‘Open Doors’ day, an important and popular part of the build-up to Sunday’s race.”Following a serious examination of the situation, made necessary by public disruption threats and the difficulty to measure their precise validity, the organisers came to the conclusion that it is necessary to restrain the access to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and precisely the F1 pit lane,” read the statement. Francois Dumontier, president of the race, said the risks could not be ignored.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2012.