Classic F1 for Montréal GP

The global historic F1 car movement has received another major boost with news that the four-event Masters HGP series will open with a support race at the Canadian GP.

Organised by the US arm of the Masters organisation, the North American series for 3-litre F1 cars will deliver a field of 25 cars from the 1970s and 1980s for the June 7/8 event on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montréal.

The star car at this 45th running of the Canadian Grand Prix will be the ex-Villeneuve Ferrari 312T5, the car the French-Canadian took to fifth place in his home race in 1980.

“We couldn’t find a better moment to bring back some of the greatest cars seen in the past,” said event organiser François Dumontier. “As Montréal is hosting a round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship for the 35th time, we’re extremely proud to add Masters HGP to our programme.”

Ron Maydon from Masters HGP added: “We are thrilled to be part of an event with the prestige and heritage of the Canadian GP. For Masters HGP to be recognised as a support race to a modern-day F1 race is a massive honour and to open our 2014 season at a Grand Prix is a huge compliment to the series.”

In addition to the ex-Villeneuve Ferrari, the entry should include Mario Andretti’s 1976 Lotus 77, John Watson’s 1982 McLaren MP4/1B, Jody Scheckter’s 1978 Wolf WR6, Jan Lammers’s 1979 Shadow DN9 and Keke Rosberg’s 1983 Williams FW08C.