Bell Canada and Octane Racing Group deliver standout 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada experience for fans Français
352,000 spectators attended the race at Montréal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, making the Canadian F1 the second-best attended race of the season
New agreement keeps race in Montréal until 2035
MONTRÉAL, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - The 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada drew 352,000 visitors from across Canada and around the world to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend, making it the second-best attended race of this year's F1 season.
As the proud owner of Octane Racing Group, Bell Canada played a key role in bringing this world-class event to life. Bell's leading network infrastructure kept fans on-site connected throughout the event, while TSN and RDS brought the action to viewers at home with live and on-demand coverage.
The event's success was the result of strong collaboration between stakeholders, including le Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), la Société des transports de Montréal (STM), the City of Montréal, la Société du Parc Jean-Drapeau, Tourisme Montréal and the governments of Québec and Canada.
Enhanced signage, upgraded hospitality suites and new fan experiences helped improve logistics and created a smooth and enjoyable experience for attendees.
Bell also contributed to community safety and social impact, working alongside Octane and local authorities to ensure a safe environment for all.
Following the successful conclusion of the weekend, organizers announced a new agreement to keep the race in Montréal through 2035. This long-term agreement ensures that the city, the province and the country will continue to benefit from the economic dynamism of this international event for years to come.
Quotes
"The Montréal Grand Prix is one of Canada's premier sporting events and, as the owner of Octane Racing Group, Bell is incredibly proud of the success of the 2025 edition. This year's event showcased the city's love of sport, its passionate fanbase and its ability to host world-class events. We look forward to continuing to build on this success for the years to come thanks to the new long-term agreement that will keep the race in Montréal for the next 10 years."
- Mirko Bibic, President & CEO, BCE and Bell Canada
"We are proud to confirm that the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada will continue its annual stop in Montréal for another decade. This renewed agreement reflects the iconic status of our race and global reach. We will continue to build a Grand Prix that showcases Montréal, Québec and Canada at their best, with a clear strategy to elevate the event across sports, entertainment and technology. Thank you to our partners – the governments of Québec and Canada, the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Parc Jean-Drapeau and Formula 1 – for your continued trust. And thank you to our amazing team, whose passion brings this event to life each year."
- Jean-Philippe Paradis, President, Octane Racing Group Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada and SVP, BBM Sales and Wholesale
"As Formula 1 celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is fitting that we have announced an extension with the Canadian Grand Prix. Montréal is an incredible city, full of energy and passionate fans, and I am delighted to confirm that we will continue racing here through the 2035 season. I would like to thank the promoter, Octane Racing Group, for their continued efforts in upgrading this iconic venue in recent years, and all local, regional and national political stakeholders who have worked closely together to make this event what it is today. I would also like to thank our incredible Canadian fans and look forward to creating more unforgettable moments in Montréal."
- Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company i, providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Investor inquiries:
Richard Bengian
[email protected]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Canada's largest tall ship captained by Torontonian open for public sailings at waterfront festival
When Norman Rogers spotted the Empire Sandy in the late 1970s, she was a Second World War–era tugboat, sold to a Canadian company by the British government, sitting forgotten in an Ontario scrapyard and awaiting the breakers. Rogers, who was running a water taxi and tour boat business, bought the vessel and transformed it into Canada's largest sailing tall ship at a dock near Toronto's Sugar Beach.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto takes down the Timbers 3-0 for rare home win
TORONTO (AP) — Alonso Coello and Tyrese Spicer each scored to help injury-depleted Toronto beat the Portland Timbers 3-0 on Saturday night. Toronto (4-10-5) snapped a five-game winless run (0-4-1) at home. Before Saturday, it had collected just five of a possible 33 points at home (1-7-3). Portland (8-5-6) entered having lost just one of its last seven outings (3-1-3). Coello scored on a free kick in the 11th minute when he fired the ball past the Portland wall and Canadian goalkeeper James Pantemis for his second MLS goal. Spicer made it 2-0 in the 56th. Pantemis made a lunging one-handed save to stop Kosi Thompson's header but the ball went back to Spicer, who sent it home for his second of the season. Toronto added an insurance goal in stoppage time, with Derrick Etienne Jr.'s cross bouncing in off Portland defender Ian Smith with TFC forward Deandre Kerr nearby. Sean Johnson posted his fifth clean sheet of the season after Portland attempted just four shots, none on target. Only five of TFC's remaining 15 games are at home. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto FC records rare home win, dispatches Portland Timbers 3-0 in MLS play
TORONTO – Goals by Alonso Coello and Tyrese Spicer helped injury-depleted Toronto FC to a 3-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, snapping a five-game winless run (0-4-1) at home. Toronto added an insurance goal in stoppage time, with Derrick Etienne Jr.'s cross bouncing in off Portland defender Ian Smith with TFC forward Deandre Kerr nearby. Despite missing nine players through injury and international duty, Toronto led the dance the entire evening before an announced crowd of 22,445 at BMO Field. It was a rare quiet night for Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who posted his fifth clean sheet of the season. Portland attempted just four shots, none on target, compared to 16 for Toronto (seven on target). It was a pleasant 22 Celsius, feeling like 24 C, at kickoff. And Toronto (4-10-5) showed some spring in its step to start, unlike mid-week when it had to rally from a dismal first half to tie the visiting New York Red Bulls 1-1. After David Ayala took down Raoul Petretta outside the Portland penalty box in front of goal, Coello made the Timbers pay in the 11th minute with a fine free kick. Coello, whose set-piece deliveries have been a bright spot for Toronto this season, fired the ball past both the Portland wall and Canadian goalkeeper James Pantemis for his second career MLS goal. Spicer made it 2-0 in the 56th minute, off a corner. Pantemis made a marvellous, lunging one-handed save to stop Kosi Thompson's header but the ball squibbed back to Spicer, who acrobatically lashed it home for his second of the season. Toronto went into weekend play in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, 11 points and five places below the final playoff position. Before Saturday, it had collected just five of a possible 33 points at home (1-7-3). Portland (8-5-6) arrived in fourth place in the Western Conference, having lost just one of its last seven outings (3-1-3). It had not played since June 13 — a 1-1 draw with visiting San Jose that saw the Earthquakes score a 94th-minute equalizer. Toronto was missing injured defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Kobe Franklin, Zane Monlouis and Henry Wingo, midfielders Jonathan Osorio and Markus Cimermancic and Italian star winger Federico Bernardeschi. Fullback/wingback Richie Laryea and midfielder Deybi Flores are away with Canada and Honduras, respectively, at the Gold Cup. Italian designated player Lorenzo Insigne, who did not make it off the bench Wednesday, did not even dress Saturday. The 34-year-old Italian, who has one goal and three assists this season, is the league's second-highest-paid player at US$15.4 million but apparently is surplus to requirements for a franchise that went into weekend play 28th in the 30-team league. Coach Robin Fraser made three changes to his starting 11 with Sigurd Rosted, Thompson and Spicer slotting in. There wasn't much in reserve with the average age of the Toronto bench just 22, including TFC 2 defender Reid Fisher and midfielders Michael Sullivan and Malik Henry, all signed to short-term MLS agreements to make up the numbers. Portland winger Omir Fernandez had to leave in the 54th minute after going down awkwardly. The Timbers had more of the ball in the first half with 59.5 per cent possession but did little with it, failing to register a shot. TFC had five shots, two on target. At the other end, Norwegian striker Ola Bryhildsen showed flashes of his attacking ability for Toronto while generally making a nuisance of himself to Portland defenders. Toronto winger Theo Corbeanu, who scored mid-week, and Portland fullback Jimer Fory had a spirited battle down the right flank. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Portland was without injured defender Zac McGraw, midfielder Ariel Lassiter and forwards Jonathan Rodriguez and Antony, the team's leading scorer with six goals. Goalkeeper Max Crepeau and defender Kamal Miller are with Canada at the Gold Cup. Short on bodies, the Timbers had just six outfield players on its bench. It was just the 12th league meeting between the two teams, with Toronto holding a 6-4-2 edge. They last met in 2022 when Toronto won 3-1 at home. TFC held a 5-1-0 edge over the Timbers at home, with the lone previous win at BMO Field a 2-1 decision in April 2019. Only five of TFC's remaining 15 games are at home. Toronto's next game is Thursday at New York City FC. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 28, 2025.
