Au Revoir Montreal, Salam Abu Dhabi on Formula 1 Calendar

How rude of the FIA! How rude of FOM! They don't even bother to give prior notice that Montreal was dropped.

Instead, they released a calendar of all the races that would take place, and the Canadian Grand Prix was not in its regular spot of June and it wasn't elsewhere.

It's very upsetting and frustrating to see a good track go, but unfortunately, that's change for you.

Who or what is there to blame? We could say the current global economic crisis has done that job. We could say that it was the Arab shieks with all those petrodollars. We could say that it was Bernie Ecclestone, who wanted more money, or we could blame the government of Quebec.

We can blame, blame, and blame some more, but it doesn't achieve anything apart from stirring bad blood and creating confrontation.

Fans have been very negative toward the axing of Montreal, and they have the right to be upset.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been a place of surprises, from the countless unfortunate kissings of the wall of champions to the first-ever win for Robert Kubica last year.

It has also been a place where we have seen the most interesting moves. It is also a great party city if you happen to live in English Canada.

We have also been to many Hermann Tilke-designed tracks. While some are great like Turkey, others are just dull and boring like Valencia.

Tilke-designed tracks are not an unwelcome edition, but there has to be a line drawn between the new and the old. Let's not relegate racing history to the archives.

Overall, while it is disappointing to see Montreal go, I am hoping that next season provides a reality check for the people at FOM.

Without Montreal, they will have lost a significant chunk of fans. Like friends, fans take time to gain trust and to support you, but that trust and support can be lost in an instant.

Unfortunately, many Montrealers and Canadians in general will have lost that trust and support for Bernie et. al.

Still, now that Montreal has been taken off the calendar for a Grand Prix, there could be room for something new. A Red Bull Air Race, perhaps?