Canada dropped from F1 calendar

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The Canadian Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2009 Formula One calendar and replaced with the inaugural race in Abu Dhabi.

There is now no North American event on the calendar, with the United States Grand Prix being omitted since 2007.

Motorsport's governing body the FIA issued a revised schedule, with Turkey moving from August to 7 June to allow a summer break for the teams.

The new 18-race season will begin on 29 March in Melbourne.

Montreal officials said they had no idea their race was going to be dropped.

"The executives of the Grand Prix of Canada have learned via the media of the omission of the Grand Prix of Canada from the F1 championship 2009 calendar," organisers said in a statement Tuesday, adding they would not comment further until the FIA had been consulted.

Mayor Gerald Tremblay said he would meet with race organiser Normand Legault to discuss options. "We'll see in the coming hours what we can do," confirmed Tremblay.

The loss of Canada means the F1 calendar will stay at 18 races rather than the record-breaking 19 that had been expected for 2009.

The decision not to have a race in North America will cause consternation among the F1 teams.

The continent is a vital market place for the road-car manufacturers who are involved with many of them