This weekend marks the return of the Montréal Grand Prix, which takes place on Isle Notre-Dame in the St. Lawrence River (about a mile away from us, as the crow flies).
Canceled for two years due to the pandemic, business owners and fans are thrilled to see the race return. Hotels downtown are at 97% capacity and civic events are being held all over town to celebrate.
The Grand Prix attracts affluent tourists from all over the world, the kind that spend on champagne, five-star hotels, and luxury retail. The city falls all over itself to cater to these big spenders and provide plenty of pricey amenities…and, of course, to do whatever they can to maximize profits from the sales.
But is there really a profit? Are taxpayers being forced to bear the brunt of the expenses and noise pollution against their will? Do the environmental costs of car racing outweigh the joie de vivre generated for racing fans (and the profits for local businesses)? Why does Québec, with its staunch declaration of human rights, ignore Formula 1’s history of “sportswashing” its support for suppressive countries with poor human rights records (same with the Olympics and the World Cup)?
I could go on, but there’s a pretty good summary of the complicated relationship between Montréal and the Grand Prix here.
Though we’re quite some ways away, we’ll probably be able to hear the F1s roar as they tear through their circuit in Parc Jean-Drapeau tomorrow. I’ve been to auto races before and I grok the excitement of thrumming engines and high-speed maneuvers, but are the thrills worth the costs?
For those who share in the massive revenue generated by this event, there’s no question–the Grand Prix is the big prize.
For many others, “Grand Prix” signifies a great price paid in human life and environmental degradation worldwide, where sports entertainment for the affluent trumps democratic principles and human rights.
That checkered flag is checkered indeed.
Vrooom.
“Racing Flag” by mherring is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 
.