Threats to disrupt this weekend’s Canadian grand prix will affect attendance, promoter Francois Dumontier has revealed.<\/p>\n
“They said they wanted to disrupt the grand prix,” Dumontier said, referring to protesting students and internet terrorists.<\/p>\n
“They already have,” he told the Montreal Gazette.<\/p>\n
He said ticket sales began to decline precisely when the threats became international news.<\/p>\n
Organisers have already cancelled the traditional ‘open day’ on Thursday, which traditionally involves free-of-charge access for spectators including the F1 pitlane.<\/p>\n
“I can’t remember the last time we didn’t sell out.\u00a0 It’s been that long,” Dumontier said.<\/p>\n
He defended the decision to cancel the open day.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t want to jeopardise the entire weekend,” Dumontier said.<\/p>\n
“Imagine if someone with bad intentions was standing in front of a driver, or an open garage?<\/p>\n
“The teams have told me they understand the decision to cancel, but they say it’s a shame because they enjoyed it.\u00a0 I took no pleasure in cancelling it.”<\/p>\n
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