F1's six manufacturer-backed teams have the ability to reinstate the axed 2009 Canadian grand prix.

That is the appeal of Alain Creton, a Montreal restaurateur and also president of a local Merchants Association, who is dismayed at the breakdown in talks between race and formula one officials.

Creton joined organisers of local street festivals and other concerned parties at a press conference, billed as "one final effort to help save the Canadian grand prix".

Referring to the European and Japanese carmakers involved in formula one, he said: "For these people, North America is an enormous market."

Creton explained that just $3 million apiece, pledged to the organisation of the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, could be deducted from their marketing budgets and save the formula one event.

The proposal has been put in a letter jointly addressed to the F1 teams.

"It is a little disturbing that not one of the manufacturers have expressed their support for the grand prix when so much of their sales are done here," Creton said.

He added: "When they buy a Honda, for example, Montrealers should wonder why Honda does not offer all the necessary support to the grand prix."

Source: GMM