Students threaten F1 protest
THOUSANDS of protesters are threatening to target the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix this weekend.
FROM Manama to Montreal. Formula One could be pitched into yet another political storm as the sport is caught up in protests by thousands of students threatening to target the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend.
Two months ago F1 was at the centre of global condemnation in Bahrain, where rioters took to the streets of Manama, the capital, to demonstrate against the grand prix; now drivers and teams could face more disruption at one of the sport's most popular venues.
Almost 155,000 students, angered by plans by the Quebec state government to raise tuition fees by 75 per cent, have been on strike since February and staging daily protests. Unlike Bahrain, where F1 was seen as puppet of the ruling regime, the sport is the innocent victim this time as activists aim to hit Montreal's lucrative tourist season.
The centrepiece of the tourist season is the Canadian Grand Prix, which is claimed to generate more than $103 million in tourist income.
Montreal staged the most spectacular race of last season as a downpour caused a two-hour delay leading to the longest grand prix in history at more than four hours. Jenson Button splashed to an extraordinary victory from last place, overtaking Sebastian Vettel on the final lap to enthral the tens of thousands of drenched spectators who refused to leave their seats until the epic climax at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre-Dame.
Wet weather is again predicted for the race this weekend. But rain is the least of Montreal's worries as the protests take their toll on the city: hoteliers are reporting bookings down by as much as 10 per cent and traders in Crescent Street, a traditional gathering area for F1 fans, say business is down 20 per cent, while thousands of race tickets are still available.
Circuit authorities are in constant touch with police and Francois Dumontier, the race promoter, is developing plans to ensure that students do not disrupt Canada's biggest international sporting event.
"We will not divulge any details, but we already have a rather elaborate plan," Dumontier said. "We increased security, reviewed certain points that might have been more vulnerable and, over several weeks, have been working closely with the police. We're ready for several contingencies. We want to protect the festive nature of the grand prix. This is a celebration and we want our clientele to enjoy their grand prix."
Like Bahrain, the circuit will be sacrosanct with a heavy police presence around the track and in spectator areas. But Ile Notre-Dame, by its very nature, has few entry points and student leaders are threatening to focus on the underground rail link to the only station on the island, which is used by tens of thousands of fans.
If they decide to disrupt Montreal's Yellow Line there could be travel chaos, leaving thousands of grandstand seats empty for the grand prix.