First the bad news: Sam's the Record shop here in Montreal has closed. Grand Prix personnel are devastated. You used to see journalists, team members, mechanics - everyone - leaving Sam's with armfuls of CDs. But not this year. The multi-nationals have won: HMV still exists, but not Sam's.

The good news, I suppose, is that British Airways have been kind enough to deliver my luggage some 24 hours late - well, about 36 actually. KLM have lost about 40 people's baggage on the way here and they are not alone, either. In fact buying some replacement clothes, those who have lost baggage have come across a curious common fact. "I should be paying KLM commission," said one shop owner. "Every day I get people in here who have lost their luggage with the airlines."

Well, that's enough of the trivia. The really good news is that the weather is just going to get warmer and warmer throughout the rest of the weekend. After landing under leaden skies on Wednesday, Friday was absolutely cloudless, if still a little cool at 22 degrees. There's a breeze to ensure it's not too hot, but otherwise absolutely gorgeous and it is going to stay that way right the way through to the moment I get on the plane on Monday!

And there are plenty of people to enjoy it. If the Canadians think Formula One™ is boring because their boy isn't doing so well, there's no evidence of the fact. The stands were pretty full today, the city is full of partying race fans and as usual it's a cosmopolitan crowd. Having watched England clinch their 1-0 victory over Argentina, I left my hotel room to get to the circuit only to find myself sharing the lift with - you guessed it - a lift-full of sombre Argentines. I said nothing. But here you hear every accent from North and South America, plus a whole variety of European tongues and quite a few Asians. That's what makes this Grand Prix special.

But the locals are very knowledgeable. Each evening here, I am having to sing for my supper with evening talks. Last night was a small group of enthusiastic businessmen. These are wealthy people, not your average beer-swilling Schumi fan. My neighbour at dinner owned not only a 360 Modena but a 328 as well. They had all done their home work and knew every nuance of Jacques but mainly Gilles Villeneuve's life. It is remarkable how popular and revered Gilles still is, 20 years after his death. He did, of course, inspire a whole nation and that inspiration remains.

Today's practice was the usual mish-mash in terms of result. Perhaps surprisingly, McLaren were on top and Michelin's runners were well represented. Montoya probably should have been quickest, but got out late right at the end although he set fastest time in the final two sectors before having to pit.

But it is Friday and anything can happen. What is exciting the locals is the performance of BAR with their revised car, even though Honda haven't brought the latest specification engine to Canada. The nice thing is that they take an interest not only in Jacques' car but his teammate's as well. The fact that they are both in the top ten is a source of great interest, which will be a relief to Honda. A prominent ad from Honda in a major local newspaper praises Paul Tracy's victory in a recent CART race - in the absence of any likely good news coming from their Formula One™ effort.

So any positive news from the Villeneuve/BAR camp is likely to be good. Ferrari aren't on top, both McLaren and Williams are challenging. Generally the news is good for a fine weekend - apart from Sam's, of course

Bob Constanduros