Monday 1 December at 11:59 : Dec.1 (GMM) Sidestepping blame for the axe of the Canadian grand prix, Bernie Ecclestone insists governments did not do enough to save the Montreal race

Quoted by the French language La Presse, the F1 chief executive reportedly told Canadian radio that he made "great efforts" to keep the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as an F1 venue in 2009 and beyond

But the 78-year-old Briton claims that Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, who had been linked with the rescue efforts, agrees with him that the governments did not do enough

"They said the race brings benefits to millions of people in Montreal but they were unable to organise it," Ecclestone is quoted as saying

He explained that Laliberte became involved in the efforts to save the race, but ultimately pulled out "because he thought the government was not doing enough"

Ecclestone also said he was furious that Canadian officials leaked confidential details to the public, but refuses to rule out reinstating the race at some point in the future

He said that while returning to Montreal will be "difficult", he "never says never" to anything