Montreal considers big track fix for 2009

(GMM) Organizers of the Canadian grand prix will consider completely resurfacing the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve ahead of the next formula one race there.

Despite similar problems at the Montreal venue in recent years, the asphalt crumbled notably at the weekend.

Makeshift overnight and pre-race repairs ensured that Sunday's problems were not as bad as they were in qualifying.

"On one side it was not what an F1 circuit should look like. On the other hand it was a lot better than I expected after yesterday," BMW-Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld said after the 70-lap race.

Race executive Francois Dumontier said a complete resurfacing for 2009 would cost about $1m and "isn't out of the question", according to the local Gazette.

But he also suspects that the problem was exacerbated by the actual layout of the circuit, "and it's possible the hairpin might have to be reconfigured", the Montreal newspaper added.