Martin Brundle calls out 'logistical mess' at Canadian GP as F1 chiefs get pointed message
Martin Brundle was less than impressed by his latest trip to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Sky Sports F1 co-commentator Martin Brundle has labelled the latest edition of the Canadian Grand Prix a ‘logistical mess’. The legendary broadcaster suggested that the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been ‘outgrown’ by the recent trajectory of the sport, criticising the facilities and supporter experience.
The iconic circuit, situated on Notre Dame Island in the city of Montreal, first hosted the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978, but in 2024 its age and flaws are starting to be exposed. Over 350,000 supporters were in attendance over the weekend, putting a strain on the facilities and the staff.
Many members of the teams and media were left furious ahead of free practice on Friday as police cut off access to the entrance of the circuit to deal with congestion. There was also a post-race track invasion which led to the organisers, Octane Racing Group, to be summoned to the stewards. Similar issues were experienced in 2023 in Melbourne.
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Writing in his Sky Sports F1 column, Brundle noted: “I’ve been visiting the Canadian GP in Montreal since 1984. This year was undoubtedly the least enjoyable in terms of the venue.
“The popularity and scale of today’s F1 has outgrown the facilities, and the rain turning accesses into mud didn’t help. The police and security appeared increasingly aggressive and unhelpful to boot, it was a logistical mess.”
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Brundle himself was affected by the chaos in Montreal over the weekend. On Friday, the area was hit with bouts of torrential rain, causing havoc in the paddock. Some rain leaked through the roofs of commentary booths, leading to equipment damage and creating an unpleasant working environment.
The ordeal was so frustrating for the teams that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reportedly issued an apology for the inconvenience caused. With the Canadian GP’s contract running until the end of 2031, the pressure is now on for the promotors to improve the facilities ahead of the sport’s return in 2025.
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Brundle’s comments should be a clear wake-up call to Octane Racing Group. The on-track product across the weekend in Montreal was exceptional and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is still a fan favourite, but with flashy new street tracks angling for spots on the calendar, Domenicali won’t hesitate to cut the race if problems persist in the coming years.
