Canadian GP set for big change after three decades

Francois Dumontier, the man responsible for organising the Canadian Grand Prix for the past 30 years, has stepped down from his role at the helm of the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The outgoing CEO and president of Octane Racing Group, the promoter that puts on the race in Montreal each season, first oversaw the event in 1994.

He is to be replaced by Jean-Philippe Paradis, a vice president at Bell Media – the Canadian media conglomerate that purchased Dumontier’s Octane Racing Group in 2021.

“It is with a profound sense of accomplishment that I hand over the wheel after devoting thirty years to the development of motorsports in Canada, and in particular Formula 1 in Montreal,” Dumontier said.

“I am proud to leave a legacy of a world-class event — the most important sporting event in Canada, to the city of Montreal, to Quebec and to Canada. Formula 1 is more popular than ever, and I wish the organization success as Montreal continues to take its place on a fast-developing circuit.”

Octane Racing Group was established in 2002, and in 2009, Dumontier became president and CEO of the Canadian Grand Prix. In 2017, he was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

Whilst the change is with immediate effect, he will stay on to support Paradis as a strategic advisor during a transitional period.

Paradis added: “I’m honored to be named President and CEO of Octane Racing Group. The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix is one of Canada’s largest sporting and tourism events, attracting fans from all over the world, and I am excited to lead this amazing team going forward.

“I would like to thank François Dumontier for his leadership over the past three decades; his impact on Canadian motorsports is immense. I wish him well for the future and I look forward to continued collaboration with him as our strategic advisor.”