Government officials in Canada are trying to get the country back on the Formula One race calendar for next season.

Montreal was originally left off the F1 GP schedule for 2009 with the sport's rights owner Bernie Ecclestone believed to be in dispute over payments from last year's race and the terms of paying for the travel costs and expenses of teams.

But Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay has revealed he may increase hotel taxes over the grand prix weekend in a bid to raise several million pounds and told the Montreal Gazette: "We need to know if we're going to have a grand prix in 2009. We're trying to find a proposal that will meet with the approval of Bernie Ecclestone and his board of directors."

He added: "He's not interested in where the money's going to come from, he just wants to get the money to which he thinks he's entitled."