Hamilton factor may help Canada GP sellout

The Canadian grand prix this weekend could be heading for a sellout — thanks to Lewis Hamilton.

Montreal’s always-buzzing Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will be missing two usual drawcards in 2007, following the retirement of Michael Schumacher and local hero Jacques Villeneuve’s formula one exit.

Canada’s National Post reports that the event is not sold out, “but (it) could be by the end of the week, depending on an anticipated rush for general-admission tickets”.

The ‘rush’ is expected due to a late marketing campaign centred around the success of British McLaren rookie Hamilton, who has scored as many points so far in 2007 as his world champion teammate Fernando Alonso.